Top Stories Your School Conferences The The Big Game The Hit List Best of the Week Scores Playoff Central Just 4 Coaches Just 4 Athletes Past Players Message Boards Contact Us

 

Past 8A Champions
2006
2005Frankfort (Lincoln-Way East) (14-0)
2004Downers Grove (North)(12-2)
2003 Lockport (Twp.) (12-2)
2002 Lockport (Twp.) (13-1)
2001Downers Grove (South)(12-2)

Welcome to Playoff Central. IHSFW.com gives you an in depth look at how the playoffs may take shape, by putting you right in the middle of our information control room. We break down who we think is the best bet to win it all and who are the most likely challengers. We also give you a list of the dark horse teams, or sleepers. Those teams that are overlooked throughout the year, but may sneak up o you in the playoffs or those pesky 6-3 & 5-4 teams that don't know when to quit. You can also get the latest info on what games you shouldn't miss each round in "The Big Game" & who the best teams in the state are regardless of class "The Big 30".

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

2006 Title Game Date & Time; Nov. 25th 4 pm

2005 Champ; Frankfort (Lincoln-Way East) (14-0) Runner-up; Park Ridge (Maine South) (12-2)

Favorites to win the title; Frankfort (Lincoln-Way East) (9-0), Wheaton (W. Warrenville South) (9-0)
Other Title Threats; Chicago (Mt. Carmel) (8-1), Park Ridge (Maine South) (7-2) & Palatine (Fremd) (8-1)
The Dark Horses; Bolingbrook(7-2), Naperville Central (6-3) & Barrington (7-2)

Favorites to win the title;
Frankfort (Lincoln-Way East) (9-0) - By all accounts East is the team to beat in the entire state. While QB Andrew Ramsu & running backs Dan Cebula & Andy Gerritsen may get more individual attention because of box scores. It's the Griffin's defense that will more than likely put them back in the finals. D-lineman DJ Pirkle is on of several members of this defense that are responsible for giving up a lonely TD a game.

Wheaton (W. Warrenville South) (9-0) - The big question for WWS is what will they do if some one figures out a way to stop Purdue bound running back Dan Dierking? This is best met with another question. Can he be stopped? Chances are both questions will have an answer coming soon, as the Tigers could faces 4 of the top defenses in the state starting in the quarter finals with Barrington, then York or Fremd in the semifinals followed by Lincoln-Way East if they make it to the state finals. South is one of the smallest schools in 8A.


Other Title Threats;
Chicago (Mt. Carmel) (8-1)
- The Caravan were at the #3 spot in the BIG 30 all year. With a surprise loss to St. Rita 7-6 in week #8, the Caravan dropped a few spots. QB Carter Kopach and the rest of the Caravan will have their work cut out for them as their bracket is a whose who of past title winners.

Park Ridge (Maine South) (7-2) - The Hawks started off the season 0-2. And while many will excuse the first loss to Nationally ranked Warren Central from Indianapolis, the second loss was to 4-5 Warren Twp. Either way the Hawks snapped back and won big when they needed to. QB Jimmy Coy has played hurt and the team had a even won a big game with out their head coach, as the won their last 7 games. This give the 2005 8A Runner ups a leg up on the competition as they come into the playoffs hot.

Palatine (Fremd) (8-1) - Fremd is looking a lot like the 2005 Chicago Bears, lots of defense, little offense. Not that a 24 point average is small, but compared with the other top schools in 8A the Vikings will need to use clock management if they plan on going deep in the playoffs. The good news is that they're in a bracket that is made up of a few other defensive teams. Look out for baseball scores come the quarter & semis.


The Dark Horses;
Bolingbrook(7-2)
- The Brook could have had the toughest schedule in the state. With 7 playoff teams and 8 teams above 500, it's a feat and a half that the Raiders are 7-2. Part of that reason is running back Dale Martin. Martin is one of those rare figures in sports that can almost will things to happen in a game with or without his helmet on. Unfortunately without his helmet on cost the R aiders a possible upset of #1 ranked Lincoln-Way East. The Raiders defense will be the key though, as they found out against East, Martin can be stopped, so the defense will need to come up big if that happens.

Naperville Central (6-3) - The Redhawks have been a mainstay in the playoffs over the last decade. A lot of that was due to former head coach Joe Bunge. Bunge retired last season and Mike Stine has stepped in, the Redhawks finished 6-3 for the second year in a row, but what was most surprising is that after looking like the playoffs would be a lon shot with a 0-3 record to start the season, Central bounced back winning the games they should of and surprising top ranked Naperville North 30-27 in week 7. With two of their 3 losses coming at the hands of Lincoln-Way East & Wheaton Warrenville South, the Hawks might get a chance to show one or both of those teams that it is a different squad than the one from the start of the season.

Barrington (7-2) - With the exception to the Broncos two losses on the season to Libertyville & Fremd, Barrington has been a scoring machine as well as a hard defensive squad. With running back Andre Anderson shooting around like a pinball launched out of a cannon, the Broncos and QB Teddy Schell (6'5 205 sr.) will give opposing defenses plenty to think about.

 

8A Team stats

 

 

 

Advertise on IHSFW.com / Legal Stuff / About IHSFW.com / Contact us
All content copyright IHSFW/Vincent Johnson 1999-2020