ICE Week 6

[Wilmatucky1]

Hard to pick a GOTW, but there are some playoff implications for the middle tier ICE school this week.

Peotone (3-2) @ Braidwood (2-3) - GOTW! One would think that this would usually be an easy pick of the Tone, but I have serious questions on them this year. The Marengo loss looks to have aged pretty well, and of course the Wilmington loss was expected, but do their wins mean anything? They haven't really beaten anybody that makes you think, "Wow, that is a good team". The Blue Devils need to win 3/4 games pretty much in order to set themselves up nicely for the playoffs. 2/4 should get them in. Coal City will be a loss, however of the last three (RC, Teno, Herscher), I don't think there is a for sure win left for Peotone. They really need this one. On the other hand, RC needs this one just to keep the playoff hopes alive. They need one win in the next two weeks for an outside shot at the playoffs, and really need to win both of the next two before getting rolled by Wilmo. I think this game will be closer than it would have been in the past, but I do think that Peotone wins with comfort. Tone 35 RC 21

Coal City (4-1) @ Manteno (3-2) - The only games that tell us anything about the Panthers is the close loss to Herscher and the close win against RC. Sandwich and Plano are both flat out bad and of course they were expected to lose big to Wilmo. Similar result as last week for both teams. CC 49 Teno 7

Herscher (3-2) @ Streator (1-4) - After a bye week, this is a good game for the Tigers to work on some things and get ready for the final stretch of the season. I do not expect this one to be close as I think Herscher is inching its way up. the middle tier ladder. A win here means that they are one closer to the Playoffs and honestly it wouldn't shock me if they end up with six wins. But we will see about that. I like Herscher to use this opportunity to dominate . Herscher 35 Streator 14

Thornton (2-3) @ Wilmington (4-1) - This is an interesting matchup, but at home the cats simply won't lose. There may be better athletes and more depth for Thornton, but was discussed in another current thread, using the Morris game as a measuring tape all signs point to Wilmington winning with ease. Their offense has been rolling lately and to be honest, I don't think that Thornton will have seen a team that can keep it moving like the Cats can. I don't anticipate them to not score during scrap time though so the clock will not be running. Their first teamers will be able to outplay Wilma's second team. Wilmington 42 Thornton 24

 

[Carmine Evergreen]

Peotone (3-2) @ Braidwood (2-3) - The Comets are tough at home, but I have a feeling the Devils are about to flex their muscles a bit. Peotone 35 RC 14

Coal City (4-1) @ Manteno (3-2) - I'm pretty sure the entire ICE would be shocked if the Panthers made a game out of this. CC 48 Manteno 7

Herscher (3-2) @ Streator (1-4) - Long bus ride, but it's the Tigers turn to stomp the lowly Bulldogs. Herscher 35 Streator 13

Thornton (2-3) @ Wilmington (4-1) - It's all Cats early and often as they gather steam towards Week 9. Wilmington 42 Thornton 6

 

[Doctor_D]

Give me Peotone pulling away by 27.
Coal City by a million.
Herscher in a close one.
Wilmo by 3 scores.

 

[SouthofI80Fan]

Peotone - the Devil's ground game is too tough for RC to stop. Very important game for playoff hopes for both teams.

Coal City - after the pounding Manteno took last week, I expect the same outcome

Herscher - game will be competitive but Herscher should pull away and win by 10+

Wilmington - it won't be as easy as the last 3 games but Cats pull out the W

 

[Carmine Evergreen]

FINAL SCORES Week 6
Wilmington 47 Thornton 0
Coal City 55 Manteno 0
Herscher 28 Streator 14
Reed-Custer 31 Peotone 28


Power Rankings
T1 - Wilmington
T1 - Coal City
3 - Herscher
4 - Reed-Custer
5 - Peotone
6 - Manteno
7 - Streator

 

[4Afan]

FINAL SCORES Week 6
Wilmington 47 Thornton 0
Coal City 55 Manteno 0
Herscher 28 Streator 14
Reed-Custer 31 Peotone 28


Power Rankings
T1 - Wilmington
T1 - Coal City
3 - Herscher
4 - Reed-Custer
5 - Peotone
6 - Manteno
7 - Streator

Damn, I was gonna take RC for my upset this week.

 

[Carmine Evergreen]

If the Comets win next week at Herscher, they should make the playoffs at 5-4.

 

[Doctor_D]

Comets loss to ElPaso by "only" 14 looks pretty impressive and the win over Peotone is even better. They have a real chance at making the playoffs now. Congrats to the Comets.

 

[Carmine Evergreen]

There's a decent chance Wilmo draws EPG in 2A North second or third round. Stay tuned!

 

[Doctor_D]

ICE playoff outlook:

CC is in, Wilmo is in

Streator is out

Herscher (4-2) has two more real chances to get to 5 wins and a playoff spot. Next games are vs R-C, @ CC (loss), vs Peotone --- (likely in)

R-C (3-3) has a do or die game next week @ Herscher, followed by hosting Wilmo and a forfeit win. --- (TBD)

Manteno (3-3) has three winnable games but not gimmes and they need 2. Next games: @ GCMS, @ Peotone, vs Streator --- (likely in, could really use a W in that GCMS game)

Peotone (3-3) is now on the outside looking in and will need to win their last 2. Next games: vs CC (loss), vs Manteno, @ Herscher --- (likely out at this point, but definitely not dead)

Looks like a minimum of 3 will get in and maximum of 5. It will probably be 4, but the teams in the middle of the pack have all been really close and hard to predict. It's been said already a few times, this year, but the mid pack of the conference is as close as I've ever seen it in 25+ years.

The mid pack of the league will have a pretty interesting last 3 weeks of the regular season.

Side note for Wilmo fans: If R-C does get in, that would be an unexpected push towards 3A for Wilmo.

 

[Wilmatucky1]

I was shocked by RC beating Peotone. I think that says something about both programs. RC a little up Peotone a little down compared to what most probably thought. Really rooting for Herscher to keep RC out if what DrD says is true. I agree that the middle is so close it's really hard to predict. Either way I think that Wilmo CC should be poised for big playoff runs, who ever qualifies from the middle will be relying on luck to get a CPS school or some other cupcake.

Power Rankings

1 - Wilmington
2- Coal City
3 - Herscher
4 - Manteno
5 - Reed-Custer
6 - Peotone
7 - Streator

4,5,6 could all be interchanged. I have mine slightly different than Carmine's, but I am a big head to head guy. I think if 4,5,6 play each other again on a different day there's a good chance you get a different result each time.

 

[Carmine Evergreen]

Playoff implications will definitely make for some meaningful drama in Tier 2. It's great to see some excitement in the ICE for a change outside of Wilmo and CC. I'm happy for R-C, but I don't want to see the Cats in 3A. Buckle up!

 

[Wilmatucky1]

As much as we complain about the overall weakness of the ICE, it is nice to see those middle tier teams playing some meaningful games. It's really making for an interesting year with a lot of question marks down to the last week. The only thing I don't like is the possibility of RC making it in week 9 with a forfeit. That is so anticlimatic.

 

[ScottyC37]

As much as we complain about the overall weakness of the ICE, it is nice to see those middle tier teams playing some meaningful games. It's really making for an interesting year with a lot of question marks down to the last week. The only thing I don't like is the possibility of RC making it in week 9 with a forfeit. That

As much as we complain about the overall weakness of the ICE, it is nice to see those middle tier teams playing some meaningful games. It's really making for an interesting year with a lot of question marks down to the last week. The only thing I don't like is the possibility of RC making it in week 9 with a forfeit. That is so anticlimatic.

As much as we complain about the overall weakness of the ICE, it is nice to see those middle tier teams playing some meaningful games. It's really making for an interesting year with a lot of question marks down to the last week. The only thing I don't like is the possibility of RC making it in week 9 with a forfeit. That is so anticlimatic.

Does RC get any playoff points for the forfeit? If not, could that put them on the outside of the 32?

 

[4Afan]

Does RC get any playoff points for the forfeit? If not, could that put them on the outside of the 32?

If they get to 5-4 they're in.

 

[Comet4Life]

Reed-Custer playoff points are at 27. Of the teams that are 3-3 they are middle to higher end of the playoff points. Also there will be 4-5 high playoff points teams getting in this year. All 5-4 teams will be in. Lot of work to do for the Comets next week but I believe a win gets them in.

 

[4Afan]

Side note for Wilmo fans: If R-C does get in, that would be an unexpected push towards 3A for Wilmo.

I'm happy for R-C, but I don't want to see the Cats in 3A.

Hope they land in 2A. Feel like they belong there.

Agreed.

For all the chest thumping Wilmington fans do about the close game they gave Morris, you guys sure do seem scared to death about potentially going 3A.

 

[Comet4Life]

In 2A Wilmington walks to the title. Seneca/EPG are the biggest threats to them and I can’t really see either team giving them a game. In 3A on the other hand it’s a different animal. Byron and Hope Academy are both very solid in the north and would pose some problems. The Byron team is on a mission and I don’t see anyone beating them in 3A. This will be interesting to watch as we get closer to the end of the season.

 

[3 Yards]

For all the chest thumping Wilmington fans do about the close game they gave Morris, you guys sure do seem scared to death about potentially going 3A.

Chest thumping? Where did you see that? They have 400 kids in the school and last year they made it to the 3A semis. Being the smallest school in any class is a disadvantage. I think they will be in 2A when the dust settles.

 

[Doctor_D]

For all the chest thumping Wilmington fans do about the close game they gave Morris, you guys sure do seem scared to death about potentially going 3A.

It’s simple observation. 3A is much more difficult path than 2A this year obviously. As previously stated, it’s not a good position to be the smallest enrollment in a class when you are potentially the largest in the other. It IS an interesting topic given their bubble status.

You should pump the brakes on the “chest thumping” idea. I think most of the knowledgeable fans knew what Morris had coming back, and the fact that Wilmo, at less than half the enrollment, pushed them was pretty impressive. I personally thought Morris would win by multiple scores and that wasn’t sandbagging.
With that said, with regards to the 3A field, I’m not sure I’d favor Morris over Byron, and I’d definitely put Morris as dogs to IC.

 

[Doctor_D]

Chest thumping update

Pregame Wilmo/Morris thread: https://www.on3.com/boards/threads/morris-vs-wilmington-thread.7969126/

A particular Morris fan predicted a Morris running clock. Some crazy guy from Alabama predicted a Wilmo win. Neutral fans generally predicted a “comfortable” Morris win. @4Afan predicted 38-17. Consensus was Morris by 2-3 scores.

In game thread:

Morris 27 Wilmington 20 FINAL - Forums

MOR - Varner to Curran for 10 yard TD on 4th down. MOR - Curran from 5 yards out. XP no good WIL - 80 yard TD run following kickoff MOR - Varner to Varner for 10 yard TD. Great catch in the corner of the end zone. 2 pt. Conversion no good. WIL - 8 yard TD run. XP blocked WIL - from TD 1...

www.on3.com

 

[Carmine Evergreen]

For all the chest thumping Wilmington fans do about the close game they gave Morris, you guys sure do seem scared to death about potentially going 3A.

Chest thumping??? Don't know how you came up with that, but it sounds to me like there's at least one person out there still creased from Week 1. The regular Wilmo guys on this thread predicted a Morris victory and were pleasantly surprised at how close the game was. Sure, the fans were proud of their teams effort, but there was zero "chest thumping".

Wilmington starts each season knowing they are a bubble team. Obviously, Cat fans would rather be in 2A due to the size of their school. It's a much tougher road being one of the smallest in 3A, but I can assure you, nobody is "scared to death" To quote the legendary Wade Garrett, "That dog won't hunt"

 

[4Afan]

Chest thumping? Where did you see that? They have 400 kids in the school and last year they made it to the 3A semis. Being the smallest school in any class is a disadvantage. I think they will be in 2A when the dust settles.

Why is being the smallest school an automatic disadvantage? Wilmington has proved they can make a deep run in 3A. Is it a disadvantage for the Wildcats being the smallest school in their conference?

It’s simple observation. 3A is much more difficult path than 2A this year obviously. As previously stated, it’s not a good position to be the smallest enrollment in a class when you are potentially the largest in the other. It IS an interesting topic given their bubble status.

You should pump the brakes on the “chest thumping” idea. I think most of the knowledgeable fans knew what Morris had coming back, and the fact that Wilmo, at less than half the enrollment, pushed them was pretty impressive. I personally thought Morris would win by multiple scores and that wasn’t sandbagging.
With that said, with regards to the 3A field, I’m not sure I’d favor Morris over Byron, and I’d definitely put Morris as dogs to IC.

3A is more difficult so let's pray we don't go 3A? Seems like a poor way to look at it in my opinion.

Morris is favored over Byron by 8 and an underdog to IC by 1 according to Massey, but not sure what that has to do with anything.

Chest thumping??? Don't know how you came up with that, but it sounds to me like there's at least one person out there still creased from Week 1. The regular Wilmo guys on this thread predicted a Morris victory and were pleasantly surprised at how close the game was. Sure, the fans were proud of their teams effort, but there was zero "chest thumping".

Wilmington starts each season knowing they are a bubble team. Obviously, Cat fans would rather be in 2A due to the size of their school. It's a much tougher road being one of the smallest in 3A, but I can assure you, nobody is "scared to death" To quote the legendary Wade Garrett, "That dog won't hunt"

Who cares if they're the smallest school in 3A? They went to the semi's last year and they're smaller than every school on their schedule.


Oh boy, it appears as though I've ruffled some feathers. Sorry the chest thumping hyperbole hit so hard. What was meant by it has nothing to do with the initial projections prior to the game, but rather the sentiment from the Wildcat faithful since week 1 using it as a barometer for how successful their season has been. I've heard it from people out here in the real world and from posters here -- "Well we gave Morris their closest game of the year so far..."

I just don't get the deep seeded desire to avoid 3A at all costs. Wilmington plays in a predominantly 3A/4A conference so their used to being the smaller team and still being able to have a great deal of success. What that tells me is that fans want Wilmington to face bigger schools and be challenged throughout the year and then to drop down to 2A so they can walk through the playoffs. It seems like there are those that complain about some of the privates doing that...

For those of you saying "Wilmington only has 400 kids, we're a 2A team" or "2A is where we naturally belong", I say that's just not true. Since the IHSA went to 8 classes in 2000 Wilmington has been in the playoffs every year (kudos to that), and they've been 3A 20 years and 2A only 4 years. So I'd say they're a natural 3A team who has had a few outlier years where they were 2A.

This is all just this fools opinion, but in years past I don't recall so many fans being so vocal about wanting Wilmington to drop down to 2A.

 

[Doctor_D]

They are gonna go where they are sent. Their enrollment has been steadily and slowly dropping for years, and the past 4-5 years they’ve been on the 2A/3A bubble.

Nobody is scared to death of anything related to high school football, but if you can’t see that it would be more advantageous to be 2A rather than 3A, then I got nothing else.

Either scenario, they have great coaching and tough kids. They are gonna compete and will be one of the tougher outs in either bracket. I mean - obviously they will. They gave mighty Morris their toughest game of the year, right

 

[Colin2299]

I’m the one who first said I hope they go 2A. I’m in no way a Wilmo fan.

fwiw - Morris is in the same boat. Boarder team who has a much better chance of winning a state title in 4a vs 5a.

 

[4Afan]

I’m the one who first said I hope they go 2A. I’m in no way a Wilmo fan.

fwiw - Morris is in the same boat. Boarder team who has a much better chance of winning a state title in 4a vs 5a.

With this being a new enrollment cycle and so many more teams being multiplied/success factored it appears Morris is 4A with room to spare this year. A lot can change in the last 3 weeks, so that could change.

Which is more winnable is a toss up, either 4A north or 5A south to get to the title game...

Either way I don't care where they end up. 4A would be fun just for a change of scenery and seeing new teams. The semi-annual 5 hour trip to Troy just to beat up on Triad gets old.

 

[Wilmatucky1]

I'm just happy Wilmington scheduled Morris. Win or lose it is a cool matchup.

As far as wishing to go 2 or 3a, for me it's not about the size of the schools. I just think 3a has more heavy hitters and the north bracket will be loaded. Coal City beat the brakes off Bloom and they are one of the biggest schools in the state. But then they lost to RB who looks to be 3a.

 

[4Anorth]

I’m the one who first said I hope they go 2A. I’m in no way a Wilmo fan.

fwiw - Morris is in the same boat. Boarder team who has a much better chance of winning a state title in 4a vs 5a.

Morris has won titles in 3A,4A and 6A....but never in 5A.

 

[4Afan]

Morris has won titles in 3A,4A and 6A....but never in 5A.

One of the reasons I like them in 5A. They need to win it to appease my OCD.

 

[4Afan]

I'm just happy Wilmington scheduled Morris. Win or lose it is a cool matchup.

As far as wishing to go 2 or 3a, for me it's not about the size of the schools. I just think 3a has more heavy hitters and the north bracket will be loaded. Coal City beat the brakes off Bloom and they are one of the biggest schools in the state. But then they lost to RB who looks to be 3a.

You guys keep mentioning size. Is there some sort of inferiority complex going down there in Wilmington?

The Wildcats have more than proven they can have great success playing bigger teams, so what's the issue?

At the current moment the IHSA has 3A enrollment at 401-531. Are you telling me you're that worried about playing schools with 130 more kids, at most? The schools in that class are one thing, but being worried about just size? C'mon...

 

[Wilmatucky1]

You guys keep mentioning size. Is there some sort of inferiority complex going down there in Wilmington?

The Wildcats have more than proven they can have great success playing bigger teams, so what's the issue?

At the current moment the IHSA has 3A enrollment at 401-531. Are you telling me you're that worried about playing schools with 130 more kids, at most? The schools in that class are one thing, but being worried about just size? C'mon...

I literally said it's not the size that worries me lol. It's the schools that will be in 3a north that worries me

 

[Siu477]

I literally said it's not the size that worries me lol. It's the schools that will be in 3a north that worries me

Let’s call it what it is. Wilmington probably won’t win a state title in 3a. In 2a, they will breeze to it. Nothing wrong w that. Someone said great coaches and tough kids. Spot on. In 2a it’s an easy state title for them. In 3a, it’s a deep run but with Byron, Richmond Burton and the loaded 3a North bracket, it probably doesn’t happen there. I can promise you the 2a teams want them in 3a and the 3a teams want them in 2a.

 

[Doctor_D]

The bubble teams and cut line is always interesting to keep track of. Morris used to be part of that, but they are solidly 4A this year.
Based on what I see, there are title contenders all around the 2A/3A/4A/5A cut line.

Wilmo is 2A/3A
IC is 3A/4A
Montini is 4A/5A

 

[Colin2299]

The bubble teams and cut line is always interesting to keep track of. Morris used to be part of that, but they are solidly 4A this year.
Based on what I see, there are title contenders all around the 2A/3A/4A/5A cut line.

Wilmo is 2A/3A
IC is 3A/4A
Montini is 4A/5A

2a will be much more interesting with Wilmo in 3A. They roll if they end up in 2A.

3A north is gonna be loaded!

Byron
IC
RB
Hope
BMac
Wilmo
BCC

 

[SouthofI80Fan]

2a will be much more interesting with Wilmo in 3A. They roll if they end up in 2A.

3A north is gonna be loaded!

Byron
IC
RB
Hope
BMac
Wilmo
BCC

BMac and Hope are interesting. An all private school conference that has 4 weak teams in Chicago Christian, Woodstock Marian, St. Ed, and Christ tht King, it's hard to tell how good Hope, AC, and Mac really are. Next few weeks should provide more clarity.

Byron, IC, RB, and Wilmington are all a load to deal with. BCC is solid but not at the level of this group. They would struggle with the physical play of these 4 teams. They handled Monticello and barely got past Unity. I expect them to get past SJO this week.

 

[STIX815]

I think if you're looking at it now, my 3 favorites are IC, RB, Bryon in that order. RB and Byron will almost certainly be the #1 and #2 seeds. Whoever is on the opposite side of IC will have an obvious advantage with only having to beat one of the other teams.
However, as we have seen in the past, both Byron and RB have given IC fits in previous games. Much different playing style from IC where Byron and RB are similar. I think Wilmington ultimately ends up in 2A (and wins it easily) but they would also be an extremely tough out in the 3A class too. I wouldn't put them above the 3 aforementioned teams but just outside of them. Can't fricken wait for pairings night!