Ole boy never misses a chance to never mince words... I'll say that much.
Small School Classes
- Thread starter 1A Football Guy
- Start date
To paraphrase one of the better lyricists (in the rap game) of any generation...
Damned if I do, damned if I don't
You know I got a 2nd place trophy back home
You got a title or two, what you want?
...And he knows, he knows
And I know he knows, and I know he knows
Not really shocked, been rumblings the dynasty is done in Lena... at least that's the feeling this year from the herd down state...
They can still do it this year next year is the fall off
The Valleys enrollment has nosedived. They will be 2A if they make the playoffs this year. Tough sledding with auto losses to Byron and Dixon every year and then a coin flip of GK, North Boone, Oregon.
One could argue the enrollment decline is what lead to the Lena Dynasty. They had some success in 2A and 3A when their enrollment was much higher. They fell into 1A and became a powerhouse. Now some of those teams were obviously good enough that they would of challenged in 2A but to say they would have 7 titles or whatever it is had they not dropped to 1A is debatable. That all being said they are playing where they are slotted and taking care of business year by year.
I would beg to differ in regards to their success in higher classes. In 13 seasons playing in 2A or 3A they have 8 total playoff wins. They were also fairly pedestrian in the regular season those years as well.
I would say three QF appearances isnt bad. 2002,2005, and 2006 Also lost to the state champs in close games those years in 2002 and 2005 if I am correct.
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Full Picture Pre Class 1A for Lena was no great. 1 Playoff win the first 26 years of the IHSA Playoff System. Short term the last 10 years before dropping 1A Lena was starting to turn the corner with 3 quarterfinal squads as you stated.
Regardless of 1A or 2A, Lena has been a solid program for quite some time. If a downturn is coming, the question is how long before they can right the ship and remain competitive? Being a small school and trying to right the ship without a lot of talent in the pool can be difficult but with the right admin, parents, and community, it will be temporary, if not, it will go downhill fast. I would think that Lena has an outstanding amount of support and eventually right the ship in a few years.
Does Lena or Stockton have any history against the old Aledo teams that were so good? I ask because I don't recall Carthage ever playing either Lena or Stockton, but Aledo was certainly one of those kryptonite teams for Jim Unruh's Blueboys.
Lena has been a Solid program in the Ric Arand Era but lets be real you cant say regardless of 1A or 2A when their playoff history is Night and Day when comparing their run in 1A compared to their runs in 2A/3A. 8 Playoff wins in Class 2A/3A, 7 State Titles in Class 1A. 8 Playoff wins vs 57 wins in 1A.
Again not saying Lena hasnt been a solid program before dropping to 1A in fact just look at whats happened with Wilmington the last 5 years with their declining enrollment. Long time really good program drops a class in the playoffs and has become a Dynasty in the making.
Again not saying Lena hasnt been a solid program before dropping to 1A in fact just look at whats happened with Wilmington the last 5 years with their declining enrollment. Long time really good program drops a class in the playoffs and has become a Dynasty in the making.
I dont think they do although Stillman Valley seemed to have Aledo's number in the playoffs.
That comment I made had me thinking about all the old small ball teams the Carthage folks would ramble on about... Galena, Aquin, Newman Central Catholic, Miledgeville (sp?), Aledo, and others I'm definitely not recalling... This state has had some dominant 1A/2A football programs over the decades.
I pray for all of you if/when Rochester's enrollment shrinks.
I'd love to say we'll miss them... and we might decades later, but man not initially.They remind me of what seeing Driscoll on the side of the bracket your team is on must have been like.
Lena recovers onside kick and had -1 yard in 3 plays... Stockton are men compared to boys from Lena...
Lena stopped Stockton on a 4th down play... Yes, Stockton went for it on 4th down because Lena did nothing on their first drive. Second drive Lena got 3 yards in 3 plays... Stockton is having fun with Lena... OUCH!
Lena got nothing on their possession... 4th and 11... Punting... Stockton has the ball on the 41...
Stockton 22-8 :58 2Q
Stockton has total control of this game.... I have other games to watch...
Stockton has total control of this game.... I have other games to watch...
Stockton is the clear favorite to win 1A.
Heyworth with a big win in Dwight, but can they challenge Stockton.
EPG and TV prove once again, the are the only contenders in the HoI Large.
Oakwood defeats ALAH after losing 3 tough games in a row
Clifton Central all over Westville, CC could be a threat in 1A
SJO and BCC played in shootout, SJO was up by a few scores and both defenses decided to stop playing
Tolono and Monticello win but the Sages game was much closer than expected
STT is not what people thought they were after they beat QND
MF and Olympia will be an interesting game
West Frankfort lost to Benton
Illini West beat Farmington 62-60, what the heck happened to Farmington?
Heyworth with a big win in Dwight, but can they challenge Stockton.
EPG and TV prove once again, the are the only contenders in the HoI Large.
Oakwood defeats ALAH after losing 3 tough games in a row
Clifton Central all over Westville, CC could be a threat in 1A
SJO and BCC played in shootout, SJO was up by a few scores and both defenses decided to stop playing
Tolono and Monticello win but the Sages game was much closer than expected
STT is not what people thought they were after they beat QND
MF and Olympia will be an interesting game
West Frankfort lost to Benton
Illini West beat Farmington 62-60, what the heck happened to Farmington?
Yes it would seem Farmington had a few good years there but I think I heard they’re young? Or maybe lost a lot from the 24 and 25 teams? Something like that.
Forreston is quietly putting together a nice season.
I’d argue 1A has been tougher than 2a for some time now. Especially when Wilmington goes 3A.
See Chicago Christian’s run two years ago.
2a south - after West Frankfort and Vandalia losses, that bracket is shaken up
STT is (still) fraudulent
I would not feel good about drawing one of these teams early: Carlinville, Piasa-Southwestern, Pana, or Auburn
No state champions in that list, but alot of records that may be deceiving...
STT is (still) fraudulent
I would not feel good about drawing one of these teams early: Carlinville, Piasa-Southwestern, Pana, or Auburn
No state champions in that list, but alot of records that may be deceiving...
But it should make for some very entertaining and competitive games come November.
