Déjà vu for Cary-Grove
Cary-Grove doesn't have to worry about setting up a film exchange with its first-round IHSA football playoff opponent.
The Trojans (8-1), seeded third in the upper bracket of Class 7A, will host No. 14 Woodstock (5-4), a Fox Valley Conference Valley Division rival they defeated 27-7 in Friday's regular-season finale.
A Cary-Grove victory could set up a rematch against No. 11 McHenry, which has to travel to No. 6 Chicago-De La Salle.
"It's not surprising," Trojans coach Bruce Kay said of the bracketing. "The way the tournament is set up, you're going to have these types of games. I'm sure we're not the only one in this situation where you're playing someone from your own league you just played.
"But anytime you get to play a playoff game it's a positive."
The scenario is reminiscent of 2004, when Cary-Grove defeated Woodstock in Week 8 and barely escaped a playoff rematch two weeks later in a 27-20 victory in overtime.
No. 13 Bartlett (6-3) at No. 4 Glenbrook South (8-1):ŒThe Hawks' eighth straight playoff appearance nets them a Class 7A first-round meeting in Glenview against former McHenry coach Mike Noll and the Titans, who have outscored their opponents 329-197 this season.
"I'm pretty sure they're more of a running team using the wing-T," Bartlett coach Tom Meaney said. "They beat a lot of good teams and beat them convincingly. But once you get into the playoffs you're not going to play any dogs; You play thoroughbreds.
"We're excited about being in the playoffs again, and we're looking forward to the challenge.
No. 12 Burlington Central (6-3) at No. 5 Morris (7-2): In Class 5A, the Rockets, who lost to Harvard Friday night to ruin any chance of a home game, will travel down Route 47 to play one of the state's proudest programs, one that will be playing in the 75th playoff game in program history. Morris, which won the Class 6A title in 2005, has made the playoffs in all but three seasons since 1979, winning three state titles and finishing second five times.
"They have a great tradition and it looks like they have a solid team again this year," said Burlington Central coach Aaron Wichman. "It's a great opportunity for our program to see what moving up to 5A is like."
While Morris is down to 5A, this is BC's first year in 5A football. The Rockets are making their 14th playoff appearance and second straight and third in the last four years under Wichman.
Morris won the Southwest Prairie title with a 7-0 record. The Redskins' two losses were in the first two games of the season to playoff qualifiers Pontiac and Joliet Catholic.
The winner will play either Rochelle or Chicago Harper in the second round.
No. 15 Marmion (5-4) at No. 2 Prairie Ridge (9-0): The Wolves, who enter the playoffs undefeated for the first time in history, wouldn't face a team seeded higher than No. 7 in the upper bracket of Class 6A until the quarterfinals.
"We don't want to look down the road too much, but I think we have a pretty good chance to win a few," said Prairie Ridge coach Chris Schremp.
Marmion, a 5-4 team left out of the tournament last season, trailed St. Edward (1-8) at halftime Saturday before rallying to earn its first playoff berth since 1998.
"I think it's a good matchup for us," Schremp said. "We had four teams we thought we might get and (Marmion) was one of the four. I'm happy because as a 9-0 team sometimes you get a 6-3 team, which can make you more nervous."
No. 10 Crystal Lake South (7-2) at No. 7 Carmel (7-2):ŒThe good news? The Gators have plenty of experience playing against the triple option offense played by Carmel. The bad news?
"The last time we played an offense like this we didn't fare too well," Gators coach Jim Stuglis said of a 54-0 loss to Cary-Grove in Week 8.
The Gators didn't get a home game despite their victory over McHenry in Friday's regular-season finale.
"We were hoping to at least have one home game," Stuglis said, "but the (IHSA) has people traveling all over the place this year, so it could be worse. What are you gonna do?"
Hampshire left out:ŒHampshire, with 35 playoff points, did not receive an invitation to the postseason party. In fact, only one team with 36 playoff points, Rockford Christian Life, is playoff bound.
Overall, 65 teams with 5-4 records made the playoffs. Four teams with 36 playoff points did not qualify. There were 11 teams with 5-4 records left out, down from 18 teams last year.
"We were so close in a couple of games this season," said Hampshire coach Dan Cavanaugh. "We lost to Richmond 28-27. Against Central we had a good shot. Looking back you can always see a couple of what ifs.
"But I'm certainly not disappointed with the way the kids played this season. I'm disappointed for them that they don't get to experience the excitement of a playoff game, but by no means do I consider the season a disappointment."