The fun part is examining all the playoff scenarios
As we get ready for the 2008 IHSA playoff pairings to be released Saturday night, here are some potential scenarios along with some great Week 9 matchups with some serious drama and playoff implications on the line.
The most important game in the state today? Chicago Curie (4-4) vs. Chicago King (4-4) at Rockne Stadium could have a huge impact on the state playoff overall field.
Curie is a Class 8A school, and King, once a basketball power in Chicago, is a 6A school for football purposes. One school will win and get into the state playoffs, and the other school goes to the Prep Bowl playoffs.
The Central Suburban North has three teams looking for a shot at sneaking into the state playoff field this weekend.
Glenbrook North (4-4) at Niles North (4-4): Glenbrook North has plenty of playoff points (39) and will be in the playoff field with a win. Niles North? The Vikings would be a bit closer because of somewhat lower playoff points (33) but overall Niles North should make the cut off with a win.
Wheaton North (4-4) is hoping to get a win Friday against West Chicago (2-6) and get in the state playoff field. The Falcons will then hope to get healthy before the start of the playoffs.
Deerfield (4-4), which will host Maine West (2-7) on Friday, however, could be left out on pairings night because of low playoff points (29).
Both Riverside-Brookfield (5-3) and Ridgewood (5-3) on the surface both look to be playoff bound, but Ridgewood (18 playoff points) will need to beat the Bulldogs outright to qualify for the state playoffs. Riverside-Brookfield is set win or lose and will make the playoff field (39 playoff points) complements of a solid nonconference schedule.
Jacksonville (5-3) from the Central State 8 Conference will need to beat 0-8 Centralia on Friday for an overall record of 6-3, otherwise the Crimson will not be in the playoffs with just five wins due to low playoff points (28) heading into the pairings night.
Providence Catholic (4-4) will need to beat Guerin Prep on Saturday to qualify for the Class 6A field. Providence has posted a 5-4 regular-season record for the last three seasons, and if the Celtics qualify this will be the second straight season every team in the CCL Blue will have qualified for the playoffs.
Bishop McNamara (4-4) will need to beat St. Ignatius (2-6) to get into the playoff field. The Fighting Irish and veteran coach Rich Zinanni have played mainly Class 7A and 6A schools all season but would move down to Class 4A in the playoffs, and the Fighting Irish will be well-tested and a name to remember in your Class 4A bracket if they make the field.
Speaking of traditionally strong teams who have a real chance at moving down in class this time around, do not be shocked if you happen to notice defending Class 5A champion Metamora (9-0) move down to 4A on Saturday night.
The same type of move could be very possible for seven-time straight state champion Driscoll, which could slip down to Class 3A. Both the Redbirds and the Highlanders would be considered huge favorites if these moves happen on Saturday night.
The EdgyTim potential sleepers per class? Remember these names when your filling out your own playoff brackets to have the potential for a few early round upsets if they qualify for the state playoff field.
Class 8A: Lincoln-Way Central
Class 7A: Lake Zurich
Class 6A: Providence Catholic
Class 5A: Rochelle
Class 4A: Bishop McNamara