Former Waubonsie coach Luke doing well in Danville
This week, as we approach the start of the second week of the IHSA football's regular season, some news, notes and tidbits.
Congrats to the St. Joseph Chargers and coach Mark Zavagnin for breaking the Chargers 45-game losing streak when St. Joe's defeated Ridgewood 42-13 Saturday in Ridgewood.
Romeoville was able to win the coaching debut of Jeff Kuna, upsetting Waukegan 29-28 last Saturday in Waukegan. Kuna, who was an assistant coach at Plainfield Central before taking the Spartans coaching job last winter, traveled to the homes of every prospective varsity player last winter and spring to sell his style and his program to his returning players and parents.
Remember former Waubonsie Valley coach BJ Luke? Luke, who headed back home to Danville in 2005 to take over the athletic director and football coaching positions, has the Vikings pointed in the right direction these days. Luke, who posted two straight 1-8 seasons in 2005 and 2006, was able to get Danville into the state playoff field last fall. Danville also defeated Big 12 Conference rival and Class 6A power Bloomington 34-27 in double overtime last Friday night. This was the first time in 12 years that Danville beat the Purple Raiders.
It might be only Week 2, but we are already talking about some huge games are on tap with potentially serious implications across the state this week. Here's a few to watch.
Bloomington (0-1) vs Normal Community (1-0): This game is part of a tripleheader called the Twin Cities Classic held every year at Hancock Stadium on the campus of Illinois State University. Bloomington, which already has one conference loss to Danville, could already be looking at this as a must win scenario. Expect 8,000-10,000 fans to fill Hancock Stadium for this annual battle.
Springfield Sacred Heart-Griffin (0-1) at Jacksonville (1-0): Traditionally one of the state's top football programs, Sacred Heart-Griffin is coming off a heartbreaking 34-31 loss to Montini in Week 1. Nothing gets the locals in Jacksonville more fired up than seeing the golden helmeted SHG Cyclones coming to town. This game could have huge implications for the Central State 8 Conference race.
Washington (1-0) at Metamora (1-0): Washington comes to Metamora in this Mid Illini Conference showdown with potentially its best team in years. Metamora is coming off of winning the 2007 Class 5A title, and the Redbirds have won the Mid Illini Conference 12 out of the last 13 years. Will something give in this one tonight?