ICE Week 5

[Wilmatucky1]

Pretty straightforward and lackluster week for the ICE. Hard to pick a GOTW.

Braidwood (2-2) @ Coal City (3-1) - Coal City won't be slowed down in this one. Coal City with ease for Homecoming win. CC 42 RC 12

Streator (1-3) @ Peotone (2-2) - Probably the only game that could affect the playoffs for one of the teams. Peotone really needs to make sure they get the win. Probably also the only game with a chance of an upset, even if it's small. I think Peotone comes through and wins comfortably even though it seems like some people may be doubting their finally placing in the ICE. Tone 35 Streator 17

Manteno (3-1) @ Wilmington (3-1) - Nothing to worry about for the Cats. The fact that Manteno struggled a little against RC last week is enough to make me think that Cats should clock the Teno. Wilmo 45 Manteno 14

Herscher grabs the forfeit win to improve to 3-2.

Like I said straightforward week. With only 3 conference games most weeks this season it is hard to find interesting matchups with regularity. I will admit though I am a fan of some of the mid-tier matchups that seem to be forming with so many questions about who will actually get into the playoffs. We are officially halfway through the season!

 

[Wilmatucky1]

Just to add a little on the mid-tier of the ICE I am looking ahead and find it interesting that several of the teams are going to have what I call a "pivotal" two week stretch coming up here.

RC - weeks 6,7 against Herscher and Peotone......with the forfeit win in week 9 RC could be playoff eligible if they can win these two games that are sandwiched in between 2 guaranteed losses. If they can focus on these games and if their opponents really are only weaker for the middle of the ICE RC could be playoff eligible

CC- already in

Herscher - weeks 6,7 against streator and RC.....should both be winnable and get them into the playoffs, peotone in week 9 will be icing on the cake

Manteno - weeks 7,8,9 .....will have to win 2,3 to get in I see week 9 as a win but must pick up one against GCMS or the Tone......lots of pressure in those 3 weeks

Peotone - Some are worried about the tone, I am not however. they have to weeks 5,6,8,9 will require the TONE to win 3/4, They could not make it if they drop games to Herscher and Manteno in the last two weeks of the season, but I think they will get their 3/4 in those weeks

Streator - 99% sure out

Wilmo - already in

 

[Doctor_D]

All no brainers.

I think Peotone showed some flashes vs Wilmington and will establish themselves as the top of tier 2.

Still waiting on word if Herscher QB will miss any time after leaving the game early last week.

 

[Carmine Evergreen]

Another boring week in the ICE and I have the same two questions .... 1. Whose turn is it to get waxed by CC and Wilmo? 2. Who gets to beat Streator like a rented mule? For a GOTW, I have to go all the way up to Maple Park where the 4-0 Knights take on 4-0 Morris which could very well be the Interstate Eight conf championship

CC 41 R-C 10
Peotone 42 Streator 6
Wilmo 48 Manteno 7

 

[Wilmatucky1]

I agree about t he boring factor. I used to go to mostly every game for Wilmington and maybe even sneak over to CC to watch a game or two if I knew Wilmington was gonna spank someone. These days it's simply not worth it. Aside from Wilmo vs CC and round 2 and later in the playoffs the games offer no entertainment value. I hope it gets better before it gets worse

 

[Carmine Evergreen]

I would love to see the conf drop Streator and bring Seneca back in. They need to do something with Lisle, too. This forfeit/bye week stuff sucks. If they're struggling that bad with numbers they should consider going 8-Man.

 

[SouthofI80Fan]

Not to hijack the thread but the lack of competition and disparity between teams is not just an ICE issue. See it in the HOI, Illini Prairie, Sangamo, NUIC, etc., it's just the state of HS football right now.

For every Maroa, there's a Pittsfield or Hillsboro, for every Tolono there is Rantoul, for Tri Valley there's Fieldcrest. For Byron there's Rock Falls.

Whet the ICE lacks is that 3rd clear contender to help represent at the state level.

The Illini Prairie has SJO, Tolono, Monticello, BCC, and PBL as perennial playoffs teams. Usually more than team still playing in the. Quarters.

The Sangamo has MF and Williamsville who are almost shoe ins for the quarters each year but Athens and Plains have made title games in recent memory.

The Big Northern is top heavy as well with Byron and Dixon right now but Stillman in the past.

What the ICE needs another team or 2 to compete with Wilmington and Coal City and whoever will replace them and be competitive with other state programs if programs trend downward.

Seneca makes perfect sense and not sure why it hasn't happened yet, what's the story there? Hopefully Lisle gets the numbers situation handled and if not, maybe snag Sandwich, Plano, Pontiac or Prairie Central.

As for winners this week..
Peotone by 3+ scores
Coal City - the game will be close until kickoff
Wilmington - the run game wins out

 

[Carmine Evergreen]

Whet the ICE lacks is that 3rd clear contender to help represent at the state level.

BINGO and Seneca would provide that. Personally, I would love to see the ICE grab a couple more teams and become a 10 team conference. That would make scheduling a heck of a lot easier and keep most of the rivalries intact.

 

[Wilmatucky1]

I'm not against a 10 team conference, but I do like the freedom that teams have to schedule who they want in the first two weeks. CC and Wilmo playing morris is awesome.

What teams to get to join? Sandwich, Plano, Seneca, Dwight ....all old I-8 teams, seem to be a decent fit.

 

[Doctor_D]

Seneca wanted out of the league. I think they belong (and should’ve never left) but…Do they want back in AND will the ICE schools take them back?

 

[Carmine Evergreen]

I doubt Dwight or Plano would want back in. I'd definitely call Seneca and Sandwich. I'd even call SV Hall and Mendota. I know they're further west, but I like the I-80 connection.

 

[CCIce10]

BINGO and Seneca would provide that. Personally, I would love to see the ICE grab a couple more teams and become a 10 team conference. That would make scheduling a heck of a lot easier and keep most of the rivalries intact.

When the core of the ICE teams were in the I8 and it was a ten team conference, there were plenty of folks that didn't like the idea of no non conference games. ICE is beginning to see the problems beginning to develop and perhaps Seneca would be a very good solution to the problems created by the decreased enrollments in so many of the schools. Lisle should be given the opportunity to straighten things out no matter that it is a very tough position to be in for them. From everything I know, they've bee a solid and strong member of both the I8 and ICE during their membership in both. Besides being competitive in football, they were a force to reckon with in basketball for quite a few years. I am hoping for a revival of their ability to get through this problem although the road is long and twisted and many obstacles are in it for them.

 

[4Afan]

I think any closed conference is a mistake. If the conference has a down year then you really can't properly evaluate the conference. If all they do is beat up on each other year in and year out then it can make it tough come playoff time unless the conference has several playoff qualifiers throughout multiple classes.

If the ICE were to go this route, who do they bring in that would be a perennial contender, outside of Seneca? Seneca has had a resurgence over the last few years, but how certain are you that they will maintain this level of success?

 

[SouthofI80Fan]

I think any closed conference is a mistake. If the conference has a down year then you really can't properly evaluate the conference. If all they do is beat up on each other year in and year out then it can make it tough come playoff time unless the conference has several playoff qualifiers throughout multiple classes.

If the ICE were to go this route, who do they bring in that would be a perennial contender, outside of Seneca? Seneca has had a resurgence over the last few years, but how certain are you that they will maintain this level of success?

Level of success shouldn't matter. Geography, schools size, and overall competitiveness.

Seneca is a solid program, has been for a long time, but had a few down years on the 00s and 10s, but not different than anyone else in the conference. Football wise, all but CC and Wilmington have had down years and eventually those two will have down years.

As for other spots, Seneca is good at everything across the board, so seems like a natural fit.

Sandwich would be the other option, been down recently in most sports, but compete in a tough conference, and they are one of the smallest if not the smallest in that conference. One would think they would accept an offer, but would need an open week for Plano.

 

[4Afan]

Level of success shouldn't matter. Geography, schools size, and overall competitiveness.

Seneca is a solid program, has been for a long time, but had a few down years on the 00s and 10s, but not different than anyone else in the conference. Football wise, all but CC and Wilmington have had down years and eventually those two will have down years.

As for other spots, Seneca is good at everything across the board, so seems like a natural fit.

Sandwich would be the other option, been down recently in most sports, but compete in a tough conference, and they are one of the smallest if not the smallest in that conference. One would think they would accept an offer, but would need an open week for Plano.

Agree to disagree. Outside of ease of scheduling, I don't see the benefit of a closed conference for football.

 

[Doctor_D]

Seneca has had a resurgence over the last few years, but how certain are you that they will maintain this level of success?

I’m not advocating for a closed conference, but I think Seneca football will be in decent shape as long as Maxwell is there.

 

[3 Yards]

I’m not advocating for a closed conference, but I think Seneca football will be in decent shape as long as Maxwell is there.

I have a feeling Seneca don’t like the size of Coal City, Manteno and Streator. On the other hand I know RC don’t like the size of Coal City, Manteno or Streator. I’m not sure what the answer is. But I do know Finding non conf games are getting harder and harder to find.

 

[Doctor_D]

I have a feeling Seneca don’t like the size of Coal City, Manteno and Streator. On the other hand I know RC don’t like the size of Coal City, Manteno or Streator. I’m not sure what the answer is. But I do know Finding non conf games are getting harder and harder to find.

Yeah that’s mainly the reason they left the I-8 in the first place.

 

[Siu477]

Seneca
Wilmington
Peotone
RC
Herscher
Break off into their own conference.
Add 3 other schools in similar size. Whoever made the comment about Seneca not liking the size of cc, Manteno etc is spot on. I also think that applies to other schools in the ICE conference.

 

[Doctor_D]

Seneca
Wilmington
Peotone
RC
Herscher
Break off into their own conference.
Add 3 other schools in similar size. Whoever made the comment about Seneca not liking the size of cc, Manteno etc is spot on. I also think that applies to other schools in the ICE conference.

Manteno is only 538. I think enrollment used to be bigger, but… Herscher used to be over 700 iirc. Enrollments shrinking in the ICE across the board outside of CC.

Which brings up another point… I don’t think Wilmington would want to lose CC, although I admit that is pure speculation. I have no inside knowledge. Outside of a once in a lifetime class at R-C, nobody has really challenged Wilmo or CC in the conference for 20ish years.

 

[SouthofI80Fan]

Seneca
Wilmington
Peotone
RC
Herscher
Break off into their own conference.
Add 3 other schools in similar size. Whoever made the comment about Seneca not liking the size of cc, Manteno etc is spot on. I also think that applies to other schools in the ICE conference.

So who else would want in? If size is an issue with Manteno, Streator, and Coal City, that throws out Sandwich, Pontiac, and Prairie Central.

By using size as an excuse, you are really limiting your opportunities. So you play all these teams in the regular season, tournaments, and state series, but you won't join their conference?

 

[Siu477]

Manteno is only 538. I think enrollment used to be bigger, but… Herscher used to be over 700 iirc. Enrollments shrinking in the ICE across the board outside of CC.

Which brings up another point… I don’t think Wilmington would want to lose CC, although I admit that is pure speculation. I have no inside knowledge. Outside of a once in a lifetime class at R-C, nobody has really challenged Wilmo or CC in the conference for 20ish years.

You’re not wrong but here is what I would say. RC has what, 380 kids, Peotone has about 400. Manteno n Herscher in the mid to high 500’s. In small school football, 150 more kids in school makes a HUGE difference. Can’t convince me otherwise. Makes it all the more impressive what Wilmington does.

When a school has 1,000 kids and plays someone who has 1,200 I think the difference gets very small.

To your competition point. Yes, RC had a couple years , Peotone snuck in there and competed a year or two and Herscher had a 4-5 year stretch where they were right there along w Manteno. Hell even Lisle won the conference not long ago.
But most years it’s Wilmington n Coal City. And I think they like and want to keep it that way. So they don’t care who gets added to the conference bc they know they will always be top 2.

 

[Siu477]

So who else would want in? If size is an issue with Manteno, Streator, and Coal City, that throws out Sandwich, Pontiac, and Prairie Central.

By using size as an excuse, you are really limiting your opportunities. So you play all these teams in the regular season, tournaments, and state series, but you won't join their conference?

Idk. Not my area of expertise. Schools more south probably. Momence n Clifton jump to mind.

 

[Doctor_D]

Coal City is the only high school in the conference that has an enrollment that is trending up.

I could envision everyone else bolting and moving south and west. Idk how far away that hypothetical is.

 

[Patrick Devitt]

I’m not advocating for a closed conference, but I think Seneca football will be in decent shape as long as Maxwell is there.

Size is definitely an issue for Seneca, but the Chicagoland Prairie cant last forever with only 4 teams.

If I was Seneca and Dwight I would see if the Vermilion Valley would want us. Break the league up north/south or by enrollment as that would bring the VVC to 12 teams.

 

[Carmine Evergreen]

Lots of good back n forth as usual. The passion for small town football is what makes the ICE and CS8 weekly threads so much fun. If you didn't get a chance to tune in tonight , do yourself a favor and listen to the great Ken Leonard talk about small school football in Illinois. Linked below. Really good stuff from a true legend

 

[Doctor_D]

Size is definitely an issue for Seneca, but the Chicagoland Prairie cant last forever with only 4 teams.

If I was Seneca and Dwight I would see if the Vermilion Valley would want us. Break the league up north/south or by enrollment as that would bring the VVC to 12 teams.

They both were in that league in 2022-23. They left to form their current conference.

 

[Doctor_D]

This topic of conference realignment has been coming up quite a bit, so here is a little history lesson regarding Dwight, Seneca and the previous conference shuffling...

2014-15 season, Dwight left the Interstate 8 for the Sangamon Valley conference. They were replaced with Streator.
2018-19 season, Seneca left the I8 and joined the Sangamon Valley Conference. Westmont also left. They were not replaced and the I8 has 10 teams.
2019-20 season, 8 members of the I8 leave to form the ICE. Plano and Sandwich remain as the only I8 teams at this point.
2020-21 COVID year, Dwight did not play. Seneca still in Sangamon Valley in shortened spring season.
2021-22 Dwight and Seneca go from Sangamon Valley to Vermillion Valley (I think the Sangamon Valley conf folded.)
2023-24, Dwight and Seneca leave the VVC and form the Chicagoland Prairie Conference.

 

[Patrick Henry]

Why does Beecher not have a football team?

 

[Carmine Evergreen]

Why does Beecher not have a football team?

or Manhattan?

 

[Wilmatucky1]

or Manhattan?

They do. Lincoln-way West

 

[Carmine Evergreen]

They do. Lincoln-way West

That's not in Manhattan. They have elementary schools, junior high and 9000 residents. They can't pass a referendum to build a high school?

 

[Doctor_D]

That's not in Manhattan. They have elementary schools, junior high and 9000 residents. They can't pass a referendum to build a high school?

Pretty sure there was originally a plan to build Lincoln-Way South in Manhattan back in the day.
Then that all went out the window when LW North closed.?

Maybe I’m hallucinating.

 

[SiuCubFan8]

Pretty sure there was originally a plan to build Lincoln-Way South in Manhattan back in the day.
Then that all went out the window when LW North closed.?

Maybe I’m hallucinating.

Not sure how close they got but it was in long term planning.

 

[BobbyBoucher9]

Size is definitely an issue for Seneca, but the Chicagoland Prairie cant last forever with only 4 teams.

If I was Seneca and Dwight I would see if the Vermilion Valley would want us. Break the league up north/south or by enrollment as that would bring the VVC to 12 teams.

They were in the VVC and the VVC didnt want them.

 

[Wilmatucky1]

That's not in Manhattan. They have elementary schools, junior high and 9000 residents. They can't pass a referendum to build a high school?

I know it's not in Manhattan, but the kids of Manhattan go to LWW. I don't know the thoughts of the locals, but I'm not sure if they want their own HS. One thing I do know is that my friends who live there pay stupid high taxes. IMHO I'm not sure what the taxes get them beside the schools.

 

[SouthofI80Fan]

Keep the remaining teams in the ICE. Invite Seneca, Sandwich, Pontiac, and Prairie Central. If they say no, maybe Clifton, Dwight, Momence,

Split into two divisions in football, Large/Small. Allow 2 open weeks, schedule whoever you want. This would allow teams to schedule rivalry if they aren't in same division. Weeks 3-7, play your division, weeks 8 and 9 crossover with other division.

For other sports, split into geographic regions to limit long travel on weeknights.

Allows teams freedom of 2 free weeks to schedule someone outside of the conference, also provides the stability of scheduling with other division in open weeks.

 

[Siu477]

Keep the remaining teams in the ICE. Invite Seneca, Sandwich, Pontiac, and Prairie Central. If they say no, maybe Clifton, Dwight, Momence,

Split into two divisions in football, Large/Small. Allow 2 open weeks, schedule whoever you want. This would allow teams to schedule rivalry if they aren't in same division. Weeks 3-7, play your division, weeks 8 and 9 crossover with other division.

For other sports, split into geographic regions to limit long travel on weeknights.

Allows teams freedom of 2 free weeks to schedule someone outside of the conference, also provides the stability of scheduling with other division in open weeks.

Isn’t this what the old I8 was? Small schools didn’t like it bc they had to play bigger schools a couple times a year. It’s not a bad idea, just seems like you’ll run into same problems as before.

 

[Patrick Devitt]

@Doctor_D @BobbyBoucher9 I stand corrected

 

[SouthofI80Fan]

Isn’t this what the old I8 was? Small schools didn’t like it bc they had to play bigger schools a couple times a year. It’s not a bad idea, just seems like you’ll run into same problems as before.

That's sad. Do they not realize that tough competition prepares you to do better in the post season? That the success of your opponents helps your seed?

Look at Wilmington and Coal City, they don't shy away from anyone and are playing tough opponents and some 2x their size. They still win some of those games, maybe not all of them, but those games make them better regardless of the Win or Loss.

If you base your schedule on just making the playoffs you will always just make the playoffs. But at least you get a hoodie.