By Carter Crane
Change is all around us in high school sports. Some football teams in the lead have important showdown games coming up and more than a few teams have two weeks to earn playoff berths.
Golf, tennis, and soccer teams are starting their postseason tournament treks, with boys and girls golf teams preparing for State-tournament play through Saturday.
Meanwhile, there is another proposal for football playoffs which would derail the impending district design by the Illinois High School Association (IHSA).
West Aurora High School athletic director Jason Buckley is involved with more than 30 high schools, to include Fil Torres, athletic director at East Aurora, and will submit a proposal to the IHSA Legislative Commission in early November. “The proposal is drastically different from the district plan, Buckley said in response to a request from The Voice for information.
“Under our proposal, the playoffs will expand from 256 teams (in eight classes) to 384 teams. The top 16 teams in each class would have a bye the first week of the playoffs which is week nine. Therefore, all teams will play a minimum of nine games, eight in the regular season. A non-playoff qualifier will play a ninth game against another non-qualifier.
IHSA town hall meetings would follow the IHSA Legislative Commission, “and finally (hopefully), on the ballot to be voted on by member schools in early December,” Buckley said. “I am cautiously optimistic. I feel that it is the most thorough and comprehensive plan that has been put forth in many years.”
• The number of undefeated football teams was dropped from eight to six as a result of games last weekend. Minooka defeated visiting Yorkville, 19-10, and Loyola Academy stymied visiting Benet Academy, 46-14.
• Two 7-0 undefeated teams will play Saturday in the West Suburban Silver, Hinsdale Central at Glenbard West.
• Three games will bring together teams with 7-0 records against teams with 6-1 records: Oswego at Yorkville, South Elgin at Bartlett, and IC Catholic Prep at St. Francis, and in each case the visiting teams will start with undefeated records. Minooka is the other undefeated team and will play host to West Aurora, 2-5.
• Teams with 3-4 records which face elimination from the playoffs if they lose Friday, include East Aurora, Naperville Central, Aurora Christian, Elgin, York, Hinsdale South, Lyons, Wheaton North, Plainfield East, and Sandwich.
• Oswego won the crosstown classic, 14-3, over visiting Oswego East to improve to 15-0 in series:
“Oswego East always gives us a great game and our defense played well, although I would like a bit more offensive output,” Oswego head coach Brian Cooney said. “Yorkville is a dangerous team, regardless (of losing to Minooka, 19-10, Friday).”
• John Belskis, Minooka head coach, following the showdown victory over visiting Yorkville, 19-10, between two undefeated teams: “There was no one key to beating Yorkville. We had five turnovers and had 15 points taken off the board by incorrect officiating calls. It was our worst game of the year, by far, and we still found a way to win. We have been balanced on offense and have played outstanding defense.”
• Dan McGuire, Yorkville head coach: “Minooka was able to win time of possession. We had one possession in the fourth quarter. Minooka stopped our run game which made us one dimensional….Oswego is well-coached and physical, similar to Minooka.”
• Dennis Piron, Batavia head coach following the 30-29 defeat against visiting St. Charles East: “All games come down to a few key plays. We lost the turnover battle, 3-0, and key penalties were critical. But, our team showed great resilience and our third and fourth quarter comeback was awesome.”
• Marmion Academy, 5-2, became eligible for the playoffs with a 14-10, victory over host St. Viator, Friday. “Against St. Viator we did just enough to win,” said head coach Dan Thorpe. “The defense played well, especially Max Lambert, Jack Scales, and Jerred Durian. Next two games’ objectives are to get healthy, get some offensive rhythm and continue to play great-effort defense.”
• Naperville Central head coach Mike Stine on Friday’s game against visiting DeKalb, 5-2, in the DuPage Valley Conference, in which a victory is required to stay in the playoff hunt: “We will need to execute well, stay away from penalties, and turnovers. The team that will run the ball best will come out on top. Special teams will be huge in a game like this one.”
• West Aurora head coach Nate Eimer on the 30-14 defeat Friday against visiting Plainfield North in the Southwest Prairie Conference: We had five turnovers, two on special teams….Proud of our kids. Tough year with some tough breaks (including a 2-5 record) and we have hung there.”