And then there were 7
Seven area teams will to return to action for the start of IHSA football playoffs this weekend.
For two of them, Friday's Class 8A first-round battle is a rematch from just three weeks ago when Palatine topped Fremd 28-21 on the Pirates' turf.
This time, the two 7-2 teams will play on Fremd's new surface at 7 p.m.
"Part two, the sequel," said Pirates coach Tyler Donnelly, whose team opened an early 21-0 lead and scored all 28 of it points in the first 15 minutes on Oct 10. "I don't think there will be a lack of motivation on either side. I would imagine quite an atmosphere for a first-round game that a lot of others won't have."
Located less than 7 miles apart in Palatine, the two schools have never met in the postseason.
Before the setback to Palatine, Fremd had not lost an MSL game since dropping its 2004 MSL opener to Barrington 21-10, a span of 33 games.
"(Playing at home this time) is a huge plus," said Fremd coach Mike Donatucci, whose team is the No, 8 seed while Palatine is No. 9. "No game is more important than your next one. If you don't win, you're done."
"We would expect their kids to be very well-prepared and come out with a lot of emotion," Donnelly added "I'm sure they'll want atonement for the first loss and we've got to match their emotion. The team that executes better usually wins in playoffs."
Prospect knows about executing in the postseason with reliable playoff appearances under coach Brent Pearlman.
The No. 8 Knights are meeting a team from the Rockford area (No. 9 Rockton-Honenegah) for the third time since 2005. Prospect defeated Belvidere 37-12 in the 2005 semifinals and lost at Rockford Boylan 14-7 in the opening round a year ago.
"What we experienced in that those teams took a little pride in being physical," Pearlman said. "They run some spread offenses and multiple defenses but when you come right down to it, I think their kids take a little pride in being physical. Both our games in the past were decided by who showed up and was able to play smash-mouth football."
Schaumburg's second trip to the playoffs in three years under coach Mark Stilling brings a match with Glenbrook South.
"Their offense is extremely disclipined," said the fourth-year Saxons coach. "They have an off tackle who is a stud and their quarterback does a nice job running the offense. I think he is a good field general. Their fullback runs hard and overall, they are a pretty athletic team."
Stilling said the Titans are different from many of the teams the Saxons meet in the MSL
"To be honest, we've seen primarily spread teams this year." he said. "Seeing a quarterback under center is a little different for us."
Two years ago, Schaumburg ended its season by playing back-to back games with Fremd, the last in the first round of the playoffs.
Two three-year starters - Alex Coglianese (inside linebacker) and offensive guard John Mejia - were on that squad.
"They are two-year captains and both outstanding leaders for us." Stilling added.
After falling to Lake Zurich in the first round last fall, Wheeling gets another chance when it visits Carmel.
"I think they run an option offense ad I know they've won their last two games pretty handily," said the eight-year Wheeling coach. "Year in and out, they play in that tough Catholic League and I know Andy (Bitto) does a great job with his players. He gets them to perform.
"We really like our kids. They're a great bunch to coach and I think that was a valuable experience for them last year."
Rolling Meadows coach Doug Millsaps will take his team to meet top-seeded Class 7A power Geneva.
"Obviously, to go 9-0, they've done a lot right,:" he said. "At 5-4, we'll do our very best and see what happens. We've been here before and we've played some good teams before.
"Their running back (Michael Ratay, who gained 353 yards and scored 6 touchdowns in a 47-14 win over Batavia Friday night) looks awfully good. They have an awfully strong defensive tackle. It's always nice to play someone you haven't seen before."