By Carter Crane
Sports fans of major league franchises and nationally-known Division I college teams become wrapped up in their fan situation seriously.
The joys of high school sports and Division III college teams often are overlooked. Communities embrace their teams in low-key ways.
Playoffs perk up the fans’ attention. High school football playoffs have reached the semifinal level with two games in each of eight classes Saturday.
The three Division III college teams from Illinois in the 32-team playoffs, which will begin Saturday, are within 20 miles of each other, Aurora University, North Central College, and Wheaton College.
Aurora University, 9-1, under first-year coach Don Beebe, is in the playoffs for the first time since 2008, and will play at Saint John’s University (Minn.), 9-1, at noon Saturday. St. John’s is ranked No. 11 nationally in a coaches’ poll.
Wheaton College, 9-0 and College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW) champion, is ranked No. 4 and North Central College of Naperville, is 8-1 and ranked No. 6 nationally.
Wheaton will play host to Martin Luther College of New Ulm, Minn., 9-1, at noon Saturday.
North Central will at home to Wabash College, 7-3, at noon Saturday.
Both Aurora University and North Central have high-powered offenses. Aurora is ranked sixth nationally in total offense. Quarterback Gavin Zimbelman is the trigger to the offense for Aurora. He leads the nation in touchdowns with 51.
• In high schools, Nazareth Academy defeated Batavia, 38-24, in a 7A quarterfinal game and will play Rolling Meadows, 12-0, Saturday. Willowbrook, 11-1, which defeated Lake Zurich, 28-10, will play host to undefeated Mt. Carmel of Chicago, at 1 p.m. Saturday.
“Limiting (Batavia’s) powerful run game early was a huge factor for us,” said Tim Racki, Nazareth head coach. “Our defense really set the tone early in control of the line of scrimmage.
“Our offensive line and improvement of our run game week to week has been a big key to our continued success. Our running backs Alex Carrillo and Derrick Strongs are a great tandem.”
• It is more than victory for some teams. Marmion Academy played in two playoff games and finished with an 8-4 record.
Head coach Dan Thorpe said after the conclusion of the season, “I will remember this team for how they took coaching and tried at their very best to do everything the way we coaches want things done. Game day was then played to their very best with tremendous effort. One of the most satisfying seasons ever.
“Seniors Major Haas, Garrett Durian, Brandon Bryan, Connor Jenig, were all very consistent. Injury to Danny Seraphin for eight weeks really hurt our team.
“Most improved would have to be Max Lambert and Jack Scales, two juniors, who earned all-conference. This team always will be very special for how hard they played and how many teams were more talented than we were, but we beat them with heart, determination, playing for four quarters.”