It wouldn't be a Friday night if there were no rain
Taking a cue from The Weather Channel's Gametime Weather Index for college and professional football games, we wish to provide a similar service to fans of select area high school playoff games.
As with the Gametime Index, the Sidelines Weather Index assigns a number from 1 to 10 - 1 being the poorest weather conditions, 10 the best.
Here are this week's picks:
Class 8A, Sandburg at Hinsdale Central
Friday, 7 p.m., Benedictine University
Gametime Weather Index: 3 (Factors: Rain, wind)
Incessant precipitation, but more traction on the artificial surface than on the Red Devils' submerged mud flat. Gusts of up to 20 miles an hour and a swirling, nightlong drizzle makes pass plays look like grainy Sammy Baugh highlights. Red zone mold accumulation.
Class 5A, Rochelle at Glenbard South
Saturday, 1 p.m., Glenbard North High School
Gametime Weather Index: 3 (Factors: Rain, wind)
I've heard Seattle was bad, but this is ridiculous. It's like the Scottish moors. I feel a werewolf coming on. Achoo! Sorry, I'll get you another popcorn. At least with turf I can still see the numbers.
Class 8A, Waubonsie Valley at Downers Grove South
Saturday, 6 p.m., Benedictine University
Gametime Weather Index: 3 (Factors: Rain, wind)
What's it been, every weekend since Week 3? I have no fingerprints left. The last time I was this wet was in college when I walked through a car wash to win a bet. What the... leeches!
There he goes again
Glenbard East graduate Matt Eliason, a junior forward at Northwestern, was named College Soccer News National Player of the Week on Monday, as well as Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week. It's the second time this season Eliason earned a national honor following Top Drawer Soccer's notice on Sept. 14.
Eliason, a 2006 all-stater at Glenbard East who scored 39 goals with 21 assists for the Rams, is on the verge of Northwestern records. His season tally of 12 goals are tied for second-most in Huskies history.
Eliason's 29 career goals are 1 shy of the program record of 30, set by Jonathan Hall from 1986-89. Eliason has two more regular-season games and at least one game in the Big Ten Conference Tournament to reach those marks.
The pocket Streelman
Face it. None of us will ever be as good at golf as Wheaton Warrenville South graduate and PGA Tour pro Kevin Streelman. Well, maybe David Flynn and Blake Biddle and those guys at Wheaton Academy, but for most of us hacks our lack of talent doesn't stop us from paying good money to go out and embarrass ourselves on the course.
They say it's the good shots that keep you coming back. Being a nice guy, Kevin Streelman's helped develop an iPhone application that may be able to improve your ratio.
In "Golf Like a PGA Tour Pro with Kevin Steelman," the Scottsdale resident, 78th on the PGA money list in 2008, has cataloged more than 50 golf shots, everything from a simple 3-foot putt to a terrible sand lie to an approach over trees from the adjacent fairway. (I don't actually know if Streelman addresses that last shot, it's just wishful thinking on my part.)
The application explains Streelman's tips and techniques through both video and detailed analysis. Much of it is so clear, concise and direct you can consult it right on the course for a fighting chance to avert the next disaster.
"Golf Like a PGA Tour Pro with Kevin Streelman" looks pretty neat, and it's only $4.99. Check it out at ssquaredgolf.com.
doberhelman@dailyherald.com