The skinny on a Champaign weekend
It's been a very quick journey in many regards, and the 2008 IHSA state football championships will wrap up this weekend at Memorial Stadium on the campus of the University of Illinois.
While some might argue that the cavernous Memorial Stadium gives the high school finals less appeal, I've always found that the games are more than worth the trip to Champaign for any high school football fan.
Here's my take on who I feel will be bringing home state titles this weekend in Class 1A-8A:
Class 1A
I'm taking Stark County to beat Triopia for the 1A state final. Why? I have literally no idea and I could just throw a bunch of stats your way and try to bluff all of you into thinking I'm fully versed in both of these teams. I'm not at all, and maybe this is why I tend to fully enjoy the 1A game more than many others every year?
Class 2A
I've stopped a few times at Casey-Westfield for gas on the road and I know that this school produces some great girls softballers. Other than that I'm pretty certain that the Casey-Westfield kids have never been hit like they will be hit on Friday around 1 p.m. when Immaculate Conception takes the field. Take the kids from IC in a big way here.
Class 3A
I've very familiar with DuQuoin, since I'm an SIU grad and I actually did the color commentary on a few DuQuoin Indians games when I was just an EDGYstudent (I'm sure those broadcasts are somewhere in the Broadcast Hall of Fame). I know that DuQuoin has a terrific quarterback in NIU verbal commit AJ Hill and that DuQuoin is generally big upfront. That's good enough for my standards. I'll take DuQuoin to beat Carthage Illini West in a close call game.
Class 4A
A very tough call here. Do you like the air game from Aurora Christian and standout record-breaking quarterback Jordan Roberts, or do you prefer the air attack and the overall offensive balance from the Saints and standout senior QB Adam Rebholz? Well, I know Jordan Roberts and that's good enough for me to take the Cinderella Eagles to win.
Class 5A
St. Francis has a great running game this season, yet so does Metamora. The Spartans have been a great story all year, but unfortunately the Redbirds are on a mission to repeat their state title this fall, and I'm calling this a close win by Metamora.
Class 6A
Lemont has been playing exceptionally well all postseason long, but I feel that Springfield Sacred Heart-Griffin has had the tougher path to get to the state final. Close, but the SHG spread offense and the vastly improved defense holds on for the win.
Class 7A
Can Geneva defend the East St. Louis air attack? No one has had a better season than Geneva standout running back Michael Ratay this fall, but the East St. Louis skill-position kids are something to watch. East St. Louis gets the win here.
Class 8A
Maine South has been a runner-up quite a bit over the years, and while Hinsdale Central has been impressive so have the Hawks this postseason. This game I feel will come down to a turnover or a special teams play and it could be a high-scoring affair. I'm taking Maine South in OT.