Playing against bigger schools good practice for postseason
With Halloween almost upon us, let's take a look at a handful of teams who aren't seeded very high in the IHSA state playoff field but who could spook more than a few higher seeds on the road to Champaign.
Class 8A
No. 10 seed Glenbard North (6-3): It's deja vu all over again for the Panthers and coach Ryan Wilkens. The Panthers last fall were 5-4 heading into the Class 8A playoffs and made a run all the way to the state final game. Can this year's version of the Panthers do the same again this fall? The offense for the Panthers is as dangerous as ever behind Northwestern bound senior quarterback Evan Watkins and standout senior running back Tyler Doll. The Panthers are also battle tested after surviving the DuPage Valley Conference slate.
Class 7A
No. 10 seed Lake Zurich (6-3): Could Lake Zurich be this year's version of ... Lake Zurich? The Bears might not have the same record or even the same players from the 2007 Class 7A championship squad this fall, yet I just have a feeling that coach Bryan Stortz and his staff know how to get his team's ready for the postseason. The offense for Lake Zurich has steadily improved this fall, and the defense has allowed just 125 points in nine games. Do not take this team lightly.
Class 6A
No. 7 seed Providence Catholic (5-4): Here we go again. Much like Glenbard North, the Celtics from New Lenox always seem to find a way to gain their fifth win and entry into the Class 6A state playoff field. Providence this fall is exceptionally tough on defense, having allowed just 103 points in nine games while playing arguably one of the toughest overall schedules in the state of Illinois. Also remember that Providence and coach Mark Coglianese play mainly Class 7A and 8A sized schools in the CCL Blue Conference, which makes the Celtics plenty battle tested for the state playoffs.
Class 5A
No. 15 seed Rochelle (5-4): The Hubs are a traditional power out west, and veteran coach Kevin Crandall always seems to have his teams ready come state playoff time. The Hubs will need to beat undefeated and No. 2 seed Chicago Robeson in the first round, but this potential upset could definitely happen. The Hubs also play in the very competitive Western Sun Conference against much larger schools (are you starting to see a trend here perhaps?), and the conference slate seems to prepare the Hubs well for the Class 5A field.
Class 4A
No. 15 seed Bishop McNamara (5-4): The Fighting Irish and veteran coach Rich Zinanni have the type of team that no one wants to draw in the Class 4A field. The Irish have a talented quarterback in senior Matt Lambert and an offense that can spread the field and throw it or run it effectively. Senior running back Jameel High is another name to watch for Bishop McNamara, and this team is the only 4A-sized school playing in the mainly Class 7A-sized CCL White Conference.
Overall thoughts from the brackets?
Best overall match ups to watch in Round 1?
In Class 8A? Glenbard North (6-3) at Loyola Academy (7-2)
Class 7A? Lake Zurich (6-3) at St. Charles East (7-2)
Class 6A? Rich East (7-2) at Oswego (7-2)
Class 5A? Rochelle (5-4) at Robeson (9-0)