In only two short weeks the postseason will begin. While I used to complain about the first round (too many 9-0 and 8-1 schools playing 5-4 teams that, let's face it, don't belong in the playoffs), I now see it as an opportunity to watch all those 7-2 and 6-3 squads that I didn't get to in the regular season. So, after attending Wheaton Warrenville South at Glenbard North tonight and (probably) Loyola at St. Rita next Friday, whom will I be looking forward to seeing in Round One of the playoffs?
Starting with 8A, I'd like to catch up on Oak Park River Forest (6-1) and Purdue-bound wide receiver Simmie Cobbs. Also, there's Maine South and Stevenson, arguably the two best 5-2 teams in the state.
In 7A, I'd like to see defending champ Glenbard West (6-1), of course; Lincoln-Way East (6-1), depending on how well they play against Bolingbrook tonight; Jacobs (5-2), led by long-time Stevenson coach Bill Mitz; Willowbrook (5-2) and quarterback Brian Johnson, who threw for a state record 675 yards in Week Two against Lyons; and Andrew (4-3), with Western Michigan-bound running back Jarvion Franklin.
In 6A there's Marmion (6-1), who lost only to undefeated powerhouse Montini; Richards (6-1), who lost only to Evergreen Park (7-0); Lake Forest (6-1), depending on how well they do tonight against Stevenson; Batavia (6-1), which handed Glenbard North its only regular-season loss for two years in a row; and Lincoln-Way North (6-1), with Illinois-bound running back Julian Hylton.
Finally, in 5A (that's as far down as I'll go), I'd still like to see Joliet Catholic (6-1) and running back Mike Ivlow; Lincoln-Way West (6-1), which knocked off previously unbeaten Lincoln-Way North; and, last but hardly least, Nazareth (5-2), which handed both 8A Notre Dame (6-1) and 7A Benet (6-1) their first losses of the season -- wow!
Should be a great postseason. And I'll be live tweeting the games @BoringOldWhtGuy.
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