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Doctor_D

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The north bracket quarterfinals are set, and it's played out exactly how I think most people predicted.

#4 Elmhurst (IC Catholic) (10-1) at #1 Princeton (11-0), Sat., Nov. 12, 1:00 pm [Calpreps projection: Immaculate Conception (Elmhurst, IL) 31-28]

IC turned a one point halftime lead into a convincing win over Stillman Valley, dominating the second half. Princeton's defense didn't give up a point in a 26-2 win over G-K. Princeton is arguably a better team than Stillman and gets IC at home on natural grass. Princeton has had a high octane offense all year, but was "held" to 26. IC is the 3A favorite pretty much every year, and has an excellent team featuring a D1 kid at WR and another kid that might be getting looks at the RB spot.

#2 Braidwood (Reed-Custer) (11-0) at #6 Byron (10-1), Sat., Nov. 12, 1:00 pm [Calpreps projection: Reed-Custer (Braidwood, IL) 35-31]

R-C looking to avenge last year's heartbreaking last second loss in this exact same round and location. Another turf team playing on the road on grass. R-C's state leading offense was bottled up to an extent for the first time this year, although their defense was very good, allowing a single score and just over 100 yards of offense to Du-Pec. Byron gave up a couple big play scores to Seneca, but was able to steamroll the much smaller Irish on offense, never needing to punt and averaging what seemed like 8-9 yards per carry once the game was over.

Thoughts?
 
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Mccormick1907

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Looks to be pretty cold at kickoff for both games we will see how much of a factor that becomes. But I think ic is just too much to handle for Princeton, they have multiple threats all over the field, and if that passing game gets going, watch out. I think Byron-Rc is a little more even matched. Yes Byron took down a Undefeated Seneca team that played a pretty weak schedule and looked like they couldn’t be stopped on the ground, but I think r-c’s passing game and defense is pretty dangerous. I’ll take Rc and ic as this weeks winners.
 
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colin2229

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This is the most exciting bracket IMO. Look forward to seeing how this one plays out.

IC 28
Princeton 27

RC 35
Byron 28

I wonder how much turf teams playing on grass really matters.
 
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Oddy

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What are the logistics for Byron HS? Parking, seating etc. etc..
 
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Doctor_D

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colin2229 said:
This is the most exciting bracket IMO. Look forward to seeing how this one plays out.

IC 28
Princeton 27

RC 35
Byron 28

I wonder how much turf teams playing on grass really matters.
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I’ve watched a few games at Byron, including last year’s game vs RC, and each time it seemed that the field conditions certainly favored the more straight ahead running Byron team. Maybe just coincidence, but every time I’ve seen a game up there the field has been muddy and very slippery.
 
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815alltheway

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doctor_d said:
I’ve watched a few games at Byron, including last year’s game vs RC, and each time it seemed that the field conditions certainly favored the more straight ahead running Byron team. Maybe just coincidence, but every time I’ve seen a game up there the field has been muddy and very slippery.
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Watched last years quarter final match. One of the best football games I've ever watched. Back and forth game. Amazing atmosphere.
 
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SouthofI80Fan

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815alltheway said:
Watched last years quarter final match. One of the best football games I've ever watched. Back and forth game. Amazing atmosphere.
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Is it Byron that does the Hog Trailer? Saw a video of that several years ago, very unique way to bring in the Hogs!
 
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stl705

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doctor_d said:
The underdogs according to Calpreps?
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I know everyone has Princeton as an underdog and based on the hype I’ve heard on the board, I imagine Byron is an underdog too. Not sure what Calpreps says but I can’t imagine they have different from above.
 
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815alltheway

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stl705 said:
I know everyone has Princeton as an underdog and based on the hype I’ve heard on the board, I imagine Byron is an underdog too. Not sure what Calpreps says but I can’t imagine they have different from above.
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I don't think anyone in 3A north is an "underdog" at this point Princeton defense looked good Saturday. There's a dog fight in 3A North to play Prairie Central who is no joke.
 
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stl705

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815alltheway said:
I don't think anyone in 3A north is an "underdog" at this point Princeton defense looked good Saturday. There's a dog fight in 3A North to play Prairie Central who is no joke.
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I agree with you, I just don’t believe that’s the general sentiment. Looking at Kings Cup predictions, Princeton had 2 people take them to win it all… IC had about 60 or 70.
 
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Doctor_D

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stl705 said:
I agree with you, I just don’t believe that’s the general sentiment. Looking at Kings Cup predictions, Princeton had 2 people take them to win it all… IC had about 60 or 70.
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These quarterfinals are an almost exact replica of last year. The only difference is that this time IC is at Princeton.
I like IC over Princeton because I like IC’s defense, their ability to bust big plays, and their staff. I think it will be close, closer than last year, but IC will pull away at the end.
The RC/Byron game is a 50/50 game in my mind. A few weeks ago I would have picked RC without much hesitation, but if RC can’t cut down on the penalties, Byron will make them pay. Last year’s game was one of the best I can remember seeing in a long time, and I’ve been waiting to see the rematch.
 
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815alltheway

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doctor_d said:
These quarterfinals are an almost exact replica of last year. The only difference is that this time IC is at Princeton.
I like IC over Princeton because I like IC’s defense, their ability to bust big plays, and their staff. I think it will be close, closer than last year, but IC will pull away at the end.
The RC/Byron game is a 50/50 game in my mind. A few weeks ago I would have picked RC without much hesitation, but if RC can’t cut down on the penalties, Byron will make them pay. Last year’s game was one of the best I can remember seeing in a long time, and I’ve been waiting to see the rematch.
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Everything about RC vs Byron feels like last years quarter final. There's gonna be a missing piece that turns it into a slugfest. Princeton defense is as good as it gets. If they can get pressure before that monster KJ Parker gets free is the key
 
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Doctor_D

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815alltheway said:
Everything about RC vs Byron feels like last years quarter final. There's gonna be a missing piece that turns it into a slugfest. Princeton defense is as good as it gets. If they can get pressure before that monster KJ Parker gets free is the key
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Princeton for sure has to not let Parker get loose, but they gotta worry about #7 too, who is a really good RB. Kid is fast and runs hard. I also haven’t personally seen their QB take off a lot, but he scrambles well to extend plays.
 
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815alltheway

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doctor_d said:
Princeton for sure has to not let Parker get loose, but they gotta worry about #7 too, who is a really good RB. Kid is fast and runs hard. I also haven’t personally seen their QB take off a lot, but he scrambles well to extend plays.
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Gonna be two good football games. Wishing I could be in two places at once.
 
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Doctor_D

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815alltheway said:
Gonna be two good football games. Wishing I could be in two places at once.
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Got late afternoon obligations so I’m gonna have to watch on the stream. Both at the same time as long as NFHS doesn’t **** the bed.
 
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McEvergreen

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IC Catholic (10-1) at Princeton (11-0) Playoff football at its best, this place is going to be rockin! Princeton = high powered offense, great defense and home field. IC = big play offense, great defense, and like the good @doctor_d said, coaching advantage. IC finds that extra gear in the second half and punches their ticket to the semis. IC 35 Princeton 28.

Reed-Custer (11-0) at Byron (10-1) A week ago, I would have picked RC, but having a 2 way starter ejected and losing their best lineman to injury (I have no idea if he plays this week) really stings. The Comet defense HAS to step up and force a couple turnovers and a couple punts. If they can't, Byron is going to muscle up and run the ball mistake free right into the semis. Penalties galore for RC all season and last week's flag flying fiasco shows the Comet staff has no control in a tight game. Byron 27 RC 13.
 
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815alltheway

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McEvergreen said:
IC Catholic (10-1) at Princeton (11-0) Playoff football at its best, this place is going to be rockin! Princeton = high powered offense, great defense and home field. IC = big play offense, great defense, and like the good @doctor_d said, coaching advantage. IC finds that extra gear in the second half and punches their ticket to the semis. IC 35 Princeton 28.

Reed-Custer (11-0) at Byron (10-1) A week ago, I would have picked RC, but having a 2 way starter ejected and losing their best lineman to injury (I have no idea if he plays this week) really stings. The Comet defense HAS to step up and force a couple turnovers and a couple punts. If they can't, Byron is going to muscle up and run the ball mistake free right into the semis. Penalties galore for RC all season and last week's flag flying fiasco shows the Comet staff has no control in a tight game. Byron 27 RC 13.
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Lineman is playing.
 
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SouthofI80Fan

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Byron vs. Reed-Custer - a matchup everybody expected to happen. Byron is in very familiar territory being in the quarters for the 5th year in a row if I remember correctly and they get to play at home. The Tigers know exactly what to expect from the Comets and carved up Seneca (although an inferior opponent) last week with surgical precision and played almost a perfect game and clean game. Reed-Custer however found themselves in a battle and could not maintain their composure but pulled away late in the game. Losing a key player on both sides of the ball will be a loss but it will be easier to replace him on offense rather than defense and that will be the difference in the game. The Comets have been able all season to force the opposition into quick possessions but they have not seen a team who can move the ball like Byron. Teams who win in the quarters play disciplined football and that is something the Comets haven’t done all season but if they can play clean they have a great shot at a win. Byron 32 Reed-Custer 30 OT

IC vs. Princeton - the more I see and hear about Princeton the more I think they have a shot. They are also in the quarters for the 3rd or 4th time in a row and they are a program that is closing in on becoming elite. Their QB could arguably be the best athlete on the field, combine that with a great RB and solid o line with a stingy defense, and playing at home, they have a chance. But with the opponent being IC, that is a very slim chance. The Knights are bigger, faster, and stronger at every position, their RB wins the argument on being the best athlete on the field. They also have a ton of depth and that is where Princeton is outmatched. The game will be close for a quarter or maybe 2 but like last week, IC hits the gas and rolls late. IC 35. Princeton 18

As far the south, I expect Prairie Cental and Williamsville to win and play next week. I also expect Tri Valley to win in a struggle against Knoxville. Everybody in the Bloomington areas knows they got away with a victory last week against a good Wilmington team who played their worst game of the season but coach Roop has his kids playing well at the right time, it tends to be what he does year in and year out. Conditions in 2A look like a MF and St. T, a huge rivalry in the Decatur area, to be the championship game.
 
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Coalertown44

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Good match ups this weekend

#4 Elmhurst (IC Catholic) (10-1) at #1 Princeton (11-0) IC seems to be loaded. They have some size and a ton of speed. Princeton has been lights out all season and may have the best player in 3A. I think this game will be close early. I can see Princeton coming out ready to go and have a big home filed crowd to give them a good first half. But I think IC will just make too many plays, wear them down a bit and pull away in the second half. IC 37 Princeton 21

#2 Braidwood (Reed-Custer) (11-0) at #6 Byron (10-1) This is the match up that Braidwood has been waiting for since their last second loss to them last year in the quarter finals. Byron seems to be hitting on all cylinders at the right time playing their best football right now. Braidwood is missing their best defensive player who happens to be their best in between the tackles running back. Also their best lineman is playing with a pretty big injury. I feel like this will go back and forth. Ground and pound against the spread run/pass. I think the Comets will rely on their best athlete McPherson to make plays with the run game. I will say Byron will hit a few big pass plays on the Comets suspect defensive backfield. I am sure most of you who know me think I will pick Byron but not so fast my friend. Comets pull this out in the fourth quarter. Braidwood 30 Byron 28
 
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guerinfbfan

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I think IC and Byron roll. Better comp all year.

Princeton and Reed-Custer havent seen anyone like the opponents they face this weekend.
 
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iamgroot_rivals225093

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815alltheway said:
What's the reason only some games use Gofan? Who's getting a hidden cut from ticket sales?
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Per https://www.ihsa.org/documents/forms/current/GoFan.pdf all football quarter and semi final games are supposed to use gofan exclusively. Before then, schools have the option of accepting cash at the door.

Cash ticketing is self reported to the IHSA by member schools. By using gofan, the IHSA gets direct insight into ticket sales. It leaves less room for underreporting by schools.
 
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815alltheway

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iamgroot said:
Per https://www.ihsa.org/documents/forms/current/GoFan.pdf all football quarter and semi final games are supposed to use gofan exclusively. Before then, schools have the option of accepting cash at the door.

Cash ticketing is self reported to the IHSA by member schools. By using gofan, the IHSA gets direct insight into ticket sales. It leaves less room for underreporting by schools.
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I did read that earlier. It said schools are to take cash +1.00 of ticket price. Does IHSA get a cut? Away team get a cut?
 
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Doctor_D

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A decent amount of chatter about RC getting rolled. I don’t see it. I think the only team in danger of getting rolled is Princeton, and I think they will be in the game. Both these games should be good.
Maybe the ICE wasn’t all that great this year, but this entire RC team minus just a couple kids played up at Byron last year and had the champs on the ropes. RC is better this year than last. Very junior dominated last year. Maybe Byron wins, but I would be really surprised if it got out of hand.
 
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McEvergreen

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I don't think RC gets rolled, but last week's lack of discipline will cost them this week.
 
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colin2229

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McEvergreen said:
I don't think RC gets rolled, but last week's lack of discipline will cost them this week.
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I think this is getting over blown. RC was simply looking ahead and played poorly. They learned their lesson and will be up for this game.
 
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