Eight would have been great

Aurora Christian's 24-17 win over Driscoll in the Class 4A semifinals last Saturday closed the door on a streak of success Illinois football fans may never see again.

Along with snapping the Highlanders' span of 37 consecutive playoff victories, it ended a chance at an eighth straight state victory.

Driscoll is unlisted in the role call, but according to the National High School Sports Record Book, Driscoll's state football titles from 2001-08 would put the Highlanders as one of nine teams nationally to have won at least seven straight, and one of six nationally with seven straight titles.

Here's our roll call of accomplishments Driscoll achieved during its unbelievable run of dominance.

Driscoll's eight overall titles, including the one in 1991, are fourth all-time in Illinois, following Joliet Catholic (13), Mt. Carmel (10) and Providence (9).

The Highlanders' seven straight appearances and wins are both state records, their consecutive titles three more than the four shared by the above-mentioned schools.

In Driscoll's 2007 Class 4A championship victory over Bloomington Central Catholic, 48-24, the Highlanders tied 4A title game records for: 4A points scored, forcing the most kickoff returns (7) and interceptions returned for touchdown (1), which they did also in 2006.

The 2007 victory set 4A title game records for touchdowns (7), first downs (24), rushing yardage (430) and offensive yards (526).

In 2006 Driscoll was one of many teams to tie the title game record for shutouts (1), 35-0 over Breese Mater Dei.

In 2005 the Highlanders tied a 4A title game record by allowing Newton only 1 rushing first down in a 42-7 win.

In Driscoll's 37-14 win over Bureau Valley in 2004 the Highlanders tied the 4A title game record for safeties (1) and the least number of punts (1). Their 5 rushing touchdowns in a 4A game rank second, same as their 5 rushing touchdowns in a Class 3A title game, 42-20 over Robinson in pre-streak 1991.

In the 37-21 win over Prairie Central in 2003, Rick Albreski's field goals of 32, 32 and 43 yards set overall and Class 4A records for field goals in a title game.

In their 2001 victory, 42-41 over downstate Mount Carmel in double-overtime, the Highlanders' 104 yards of kickoff returns rank second in 4A title games.

Through coaches Tim Racki, Mike Burzawa and Brandon New, since the 1999 season started Driscoll's overall record is 121-13, its playoff record 41-3.

"It's a record I'm not sure will ever be repeated," said New, a participant on each of Driscoll's eight state champions as a sophomore call-up to the 1991 squad, a 10-year assistant and now head coach.

"And if it is, God bless 'em, because it's a lot of work, it's a lot of luck and it's a lot of football games you've got to win."

Long live the king.

Semi close: How close was Glenbard South to reaching the state semifinals for the first time in program history?

It all came down to a handful of plays in the Raiders' 28-27 loss to Antioch in last week's Class 6A quarterfinals, the final play being a missed extra point that would have forced a second overtime.

Imagine if the Raiders (9-3) had recovered a fumbled third-quarter kickoff that was barely grabbed by the Sequoits at their 3-yard line.

Imagine if, on the next play from scrimmage, the Raiders recovered a fumbled pitch in the end zone for a touchdown. Or if the defense could have tackled running back Cameron White for a safety.

None of it happened and, after White escaped to the 2-yard line on the play, Antioch (12-0) marched for a game-tying touchdown. It was at least a 9-point swing, and possibly a 14-point swing.

Overtime saw a couple more frustrating plays go against the Raiders. Antioch had the first offensive possession, but on first down the Sequoits fumbled. Again, though, Antioch recovered.

Then on the Sequoits' scoring play, a halfback pass from White, the Raiders had the play covered perfectly. But when White couldn't find an open receiver sweeping right, he switched fields, avoided tacklers and found teammate-quarterback Matt Romani for a touchdown pass.

"The ball just didn't bounce our way," said Raiders coach Dan Starkey. "We didn't make the plays when we needed to make them."