2002 6A Playoff Central

Throughout the playoffs this page will be updated with the most recent information and playoff out looks. Follow scores and rankings at Playoff Central & The Big 30.

Brackets & Scores
1A / 2A / 3A / 4A / 5A / 6A / 7A / 8A

Last Years Champ; New Lenox (Providence) (14-0) Runner-up; Oak Lawn (Richards) (13-1)

Title Game Date & Time; Nov. 30th 10am

Favorites to win the title;Bloomington (HS), Mundelein (Carmel) & Oak Lawn (Richards)
Other Title Threats;Chicago (Mt. Carmel), Freeport (H.S.), Normal (Community), Lansing (Thornton Fractional South)
Sleeper teams: North Chicago

Favorites to win the title;
Bloomington (HS)(9-0) - 6A is a nightmare. All three of the semifinal teams from 2001 are 9-0, the fourth,New Lenox (Providence)is also 9-0 but in 5A. Bloomington might be the weakest of the returning semifinalist, facing only 3 playoff teams, but the Purple Raiders are anything but slouches. With the blessing bestowed on them by the IHSA, which is in Bloomington, the semifinal game against Oak Lawn (Richards) could be the only thing that will stop them from a trip to Champaign. Bloomington has the best defense in class 6A, they average 5.6 points allowed a game.

Mundelein (Carmel) (9-0) - The Corsairs are having a dream season. The only possible nightmare they could face before their first possible trip to the finals isChicago (Mt. Carmel). The Caravan are looking for their tenth state title & revenge for their lone loss of the season. If Carmel beats Mt. Carmel the new king of the 6A hill may be from Mundelein.

Oak Lawn (Richards) (9-0) - Coach Gary Korhonen is no stranger to the playoffs or the state finals. With 3 title appearance andBloomington (HS)as the only team standing in the way. The Bulldogs may once again bring home the title, but they might have to dispatch a very talented Mundelein (Carmel) to do so. Richards runs the gamut when it comes to offense, they're scoring 43.9 points a game on average, highest in 6A.

Other Title Threats;
Chicago (Mt. Carmel)(8-1) - If you needs us to explain why they are a title threat then you must be a freshman.

Freeport (H.S.) (8-1) - The Pretzels don't have the meanest name in football, but the orange crush has a pretty mean D. Any team that would schedule Rockford (Boylan) as their homecoming game has got something to prove. The Pretzels lone loss was in a 3-0 game versus St. Charles (North).

Normal (Community) (8-1) - With 6 opponents in the playoffs this year and one loss, the Ironmen are looking pretty good. With a potent offense (33.9 points a game) the key for them will be to put the clamps down a defense. Matchups withBloomington (HS)& Oak Lawn (Richards) will be their big tests. The Ironmen's only loss was 13-0 toBloomington (HS).

Lansing (Thornton Fractional South) (8-1) - TF South's lone loss was to Oak Lawn (Richards) in week 9. If Pierre Thomas wants to play on the field at U of I before he signs with the Illini, him & his teammates will have to get past Richards.

Sleeper teams:
North Chicago (7-2) - Beat 8-1 Libertyville 26-21. Liberttyville was ranked in the Big 30 at the time, and to top it off, also has twice the enrollment of North Chicago. The Warhawks two losses came from Zion (Z.-Benton) (8-1), by four points & a 44-14 trouncing by Lincolnshire (Stevenson) who's enrollment is 4137. North Chicago is 859.