ICE Week 1 Preview

[Wilmatucky1]

It's finally here. GAME WEEK! First and foremost, I hope everyone has a safe and injury free season. Anything said by me throughout these previews is not malicious, just my opinion on the outcome of a game and a little casual fan debate. Let's into some game picks

Braidwood (1-8 DNQ) @ El Paso Gridley (6-4 R1) - RC coming into the season with a new head coach, and if I recall correctly it was late in last school year, is not going to help them come out guns-a-blazing. I also think that the old thought of "can't pick against the champ until they are beaten" is in effect here, just opposite. Until RC proves us otherwise, it will be very difficult to be confident in picking them for a win in any given week. EPG is no world beater, but they have made the playoffs each season since the COVID year, and I am sure they would like to continue the success. Their schedule has a few hitters on it and they know they need this game. If RC is going to get a win it will probably be in weeks 1-3, however this is not the week and I think that they just have too many missing puzzle pieces right now. The Titans of EPG win easily, however it isn't a complete massacre. EPG 34 RC 7

Pontiac (1-8 DNQ) @ Coal City (10-3, Semifinals) - CC looks to have another stellar season and this game should be a great tune-up for the Coalers. Pontiac didn't just lose a lot last year, they lost a lot of games by a lot of points last year. This will be a great glorified scrimmage before CC plays Richmond-Burton. I see no challenge here for the Coalers. CC 56 Pontiac 14

Herscher (4-5 DNQ) @ Canton (1-8 DNQ) - Canton is a bad team. Although it is faint, Herscher still has a pulse. The Tigers need every win they can get if they want a shot at the playoffs. I like Herscher to win with a little room to breathe. Herscher 28 Canton 6

Manteno (7-3 R1) @ Sandwich (5-5 R1) - I think this is a sneaky good game that both teams are planning on winning. I know some are down on Manteno, but I like them to carry on with their momentum from last year. I do not know much about Sandwich, so I will take the ICE team. Panthers in a tough one. Manteno 21 Sandwich 14

Peotone (6-4 R1) @ Granite City (0-9 DNQ) - See the above two games for my thoughts on this one. Although the 'Tone is not a state championship team, Granite City might be the pound for pound worst team in the state. I do love the size mismatch of the schools. Shows that just because you have the bodies it doesn't make you a good team. Blue Devils easily. Tone 45 Granite City 10

Decatur Eisenhower (1-8 DNQ) - @ Streator (3-6 DNQ) - While I do not view Streator as a contender, and they have a lot of room to improve, Ike has been awful for a long time. I know some of that is because they are in a very strong conference, but I just don't see them beating Streator. Bulldogs all day. Streator 24 Ike 18

Wilmington (12-1 Semifinals) @ Morris (8-5 Semifinals) - GOTW! Monster matchup in Week 1. I know Wilmington fans have been wanting this for awhile, and I hope that it ends up being worth the wait. I know that Wilmo has everything to gain here and Morris everything to lose. At least both teams will get good playoff points from this game. Both teams are physical and both teams will punch you in the mouth. The Wilmo pick is slightly homerish, but I am not blind and I know that will more than likely happen. I just have to pick my team for the upset. Cats in a slugfest. Wilmo 28 Morris 24

Aside from the Manteno game I think this week is pretty straightforward. Wilmo game is just a really nice treat that should be an obvious pick.

Thoughts, comments, and concerns always appreciated.

 

[rocketnation]

Think that Eisenhower vs Streator could be an entertaining game. It was a competitive 20-12 win for Streator last year. I'm taking Streator to win at home 28-20. Ike does return a 1,000-yard RB.

 

[Carmine Evergreen]

Back and better than ever in the ICE for 2025, it's still Wilmington and Coal City for all the marbles! LFG!

Reed-Custer @ El Paso Gridley: The Comets new head coach gets a big "Welcome to Braidwood Burger" on the road against a very bad team. EPG 18 RC 6

Pontiac @ Coal City: Dear Indians AD, This is no way to start your football season. Schedule better. CC 53 Pontiac 0

Herscher @ Canton: That's a lot of gas to burn, but a Tiger W is worth every drop. Herscher 34 Canton 13

Manteno @ Sandwich: This could be a fun game to watch. They might even need some OT. Manteno 28 Sandy 27

Peotone @ Granite City: The Devils start fast and every player gets to play on opening night. Peotone 37 GC 7

Decatur Ike @ Streator: What's the over/under on attendance if you don't count the parents? Streets 20 Ike 19

Wilmington @ Morris: Hate picking against the Cats, but Morris is 5A and loaded. Morris 35 Wilmo 10

 

[Doctor D]

Outside of Wilmo @ Morris, which has its own thread, the only games that appear interesting or competitive are Manteno/Sandwich and Streator/Ike. It’s week 1 of a new year, so we should expect a few surprises, but I think the ICE games should follow the script.

 

[CCIce10]

I'm not too good at picking games that I don't have any idea of what they've got for the new season so I'd take these picks as wild guesses for the most part.

RC at EPGridley--- Always loved the grit of any team with Gridley guys. Seemed to always have been the tough little guy you better have prepared well to take on. Another new coach with much promise for the Comets. I think we won't see tons of improvement early because of the late hiring but maybe later in the season something might begin to click. I'll go with the crowd and pick the Titans to eclipse the Comets in a 20-7 win.

Pontiac @Coal City--- I remember very well how the Indians dominated the Corn Belt conference for a decade in years past so I can't get past the idea that they might not be very competitive against the Coalers who seem to have a some returning players that have the potential for a very good year. If it were any other team but Pontiac, I would guess a clocking is probable but I think a little more competitive game than that.. CC 35-7.

Herscher at Canton--- Canton is the little guy in a bigger conference. It's difficult to see how that 1-8 record is any sort of indication of their potential. The Tigers always seem to be getting better but often fall short of the top half of the conference. I'm going guess that the Little Giants being at home might just pull this one out. Canton 21- 13

Manteno at Sandwich---Sandwich is always a question mark to me as Manteno has been in the last few years. A complete stab in the dark Indians 24-17.

Peotone at Granite City--- One heck of a long drive to play a school over 4 times as large but I'll go with the Blue Devils 35-10

Decatur Eisenhower at Streator--- When Dwight Eisenhower played for Army he suffered a knee injury attempting to tackle the great Jim Thorpe. That injury kept Ike from being able to become a field general but the world will take what he was able to do as an administrator during WWII. I don't think that a Streator victory will have that kind of impact on the world but Bulldogs 24-14.

Wimington at Morris--- Cats playing way up the scale. I don't think they'll win but get some additional respect by not getting dominated . Morris 23-14.