From mikes to motorcycles on the playoff road

SAVANNA -- Take heart, Geneva fans, as you gear up for a four-hour trip south to East St. Louis next weekend for the Class 7A quarterfinals.

Thanks to the IHSA and our winning area teams, I've found myself on the road the past two weeks. Granted, Moline and Savannah might seem like a trip around the block compared to going to East St. Louis, but I am finding these road trips are a lot of fun.

Take Saturday at West Carroll High School in Savannah.

To start its Class 3A second round game, West Carroll had about 50 of its fans line up to form a tunnel for the Thunder to run through and onto the field.

So, big deal, you say. You see that every game you go to, only there's usually more than 50 fans.

But are those fans forming the tunnel while riding motorcycles? With ACDC's "Thunderstruck" blaring in the background?

It was quite a sight to see, all the motorcycles driving onto the field, the engines revving and the music blaring.

I can see some of you thinking typical small town stuff, but I must admit I absolutely loved it.

The Aurora Christian fans seemed to agree, cheering as all the motorcycles rode by the Eagles' stands on their way off the field.

"That really fired our kids up," Aurora Christian coach Don Beebe said. "We went down to Cambridge a couple years ago and they did that and it was a little bit of the same kind of atmosphere. That's what's great about these small towns. I just love coming out here and playing."

The motorcycle introduction was part of an entertaining day in Savannah, a town of 3,600 just on the right side of the Illinois-Iowa border. And that doesn't even include Aurora Christian's unstoppable offensive display in its 59-18 second round victory.

I'm here to tell Geneva fans to embrace their trip for next weekend's game.

Some might see it as a long drive, a drag: "How come we have to go so far away?"

I see it is as a mini-vacation, now two weeks in a row for me at Moline and Savannah.

You like history? There goes Ronald Reagan's boyhood home. How about some scenery? You can't beat this time of year with the leaves changing. A corn maze? Counted at least three to choose from.

But what about the long car ride?

Turn on the radio. Scan up and down your dial. Find a high school playoff game.

For my money, you can't beat the hometown calls of playoff football games. I'm not sure every announcer you find is trained to be behind the microphone, but I also am pretty sure it significantly adds to the entertainment value if they are not.

I got lucky enough to not only find a high school game to listen to, but also one that served as a scouting report of Aurora Christian's next opponent, the winner of Amoby vs. Porta (Petersburg).

First, I can't do these announcers and their enthusiasm for their beloved Amboy justice. Picture Ron Santo calling the last out of the victory that clinches the Cubs' World Series championship -- then take Santo's enthusiasm and multiply by 100.

Amboy in the I formation! He's back to pass!! He goes deep and it is...CAUGHT!!! Amboy is on the move!!! The Clippers are taking it undefeated Petersburg!!! The crowd here is dead silent!! Back in a minute, YOU ARE LISTENING TO CLIPPER PLAYOFF FOOTBALL!!!!"

The normal play-by-play and commentary was great. But it got even better when a call went against Amboy.

That was a late flag! And ANOTHER late flag! These guys are KILLING us!! Holding??? OH NO!!! Oh my goodness!!"

These guys put the colorful in color commentator. Not even the Amboy coach could escape, first when he wasn't aggressive enough with a fourth-quarter lead.

What are we DOING?? You are being too conservative! You've got to get back in your normal defense! You can't do that, especially in playoff football!"

Then a couple minutes later, after a fourth missed 2-point conversion.

This is a waste of time! Put it on the tee and kick it.

And finally, when Amboy fumbles when it could have taken a knee and run out the clock. (Which quickly became a moot point when Amboy won the game 24-13.)

WHAT ARE WE DOING?!! Unbelievable play call!!

I recommend to any Aurora Christian fan going to next week's game, if there's any way you can bring a radio that can tune in 101.7 FM, you won't be disappointed.

Just like I recommend to any Geneva fan debating whether four hours is too long to go to cheer on the Vikings against East St. Louis, it isn't. Get in your cars, get in your fan buses, and enjoy the ride.

Playoff football: You can't beat it, no matter where you have to go to see -- or hear -- it.