All eyes will be on the New Trier boys soccer team once again when it enters the North Central College parking lot in Naperville on Friday.

The last time the Trevians pulled out of this lot, they did so with a Class AA state trophy in hand. Can this squad duplicate that feat and run the table again this weekend?

Will Neuqua Valley finish its season undefeated against teams in Illinois? If Barrington avoids shootouts, which is where it has suffered its only two losses this year, the Broncos are ready.

And don't forget about Hinsdale Central, which beat New Trier 2-0 earlier this season. The Red Devils ride into the rematch on a 12-game winning streak and has allowed only three goals during that stretch. But it also hasn’t scored more than two goals in any game since a five-goal outburst on Sept. 12.

So......

Who wins in Friday's quarterfinals? You make the call.

Lemont vs. Rockford Boylan
Neuqua Valley vs. Champaign Cent.
Barrington vs. Collinsville
Hinsdale Central vs. New Trier

-Joe Trost

Posted by Corner Kicks at 9:08 PM | Permalink | Comments (6) | TrackBacks (0)

I happened to be looking back at some of our newspaper clippings tonight. Right now, I'm looking at a story from Sunday, Sept. 2, 2001 titled, "Common Courtesy."

We used a pullout quote from current Lincoln-Way Central coach Dan Radz that read, "I remember when I was at Marian Catholic in the early 1990s, and we were getting drilled 6-0 in one game. It doesn't do any good to kick someone's butt like that. Coaches need to stay humble, and it's great when the kids are, too."

Have to say, it was a good story with great quotes from a lot of coaches. Oak Lawn coach Kevin Stow said, "Some games can get out of hand quickly, but you have to have some respect for the opposing team."

There's that word again - respect. I hear it a lot from coaches and players, but I wonder if it's just a word to some?

I'm asking myself again when is enough ENOUGH after reading this: http://sports.espn.go.com/ncaa/highschool/news/story?id=3087983

What good does it do to run up the score in any sport? In 1990, Eisenhower beat Bremen 30-0 in a soccer game.

Is this something the IHSA needs to look into for all games - including the postseason? Right now, there is only a mercy rule for the regular season.

It wasn't fair to New Trier to just stop playing during its 17-0 victory over Chicago Academy in the opening round of the Class AA playoffs. But it also wasn't fair to Chicago Academy to be stuck in that position.

-Joe Trost

Posted by Corner Kicks at 1:08 PM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBacks (0)

With each passing year, the number of coaches in attendance for the fall roundtable meeting with IHSA assistant executive director Beth Sauser grows smaller. Honestly, it’s basically the same coaches that meet with Sauser every year, turning the roundtable meeting into a mini reunion.

Some coaches have said it’s a waste of their time to hear the same answers from Sauser year-after-year, while others have said nothing has really changed since the meetings started.

But let’s give credit where credit is due.

Coaches complained for years that the IHSA hadn’t meet with them since the days when Dave Fry was executive director. While it’s only a “one-hour maximum” meeting, Sauser has hosted an open-door meeting for all coaches at each state quarterfinal for at least three or four years now.

That’s a start, right?

One of the topics Sauser is sure to hit this Friday, as she did last Friday, will be to explain the move to three classes - A, AA and AAA - next year.

According to most coaches, there isn’t a school in the state that won’t allow head coaches to attend the state finals. Meaning, it’s a professional (off)day.

Will the same 15 coaches be in attendance for Friday’s meeting, which will take place after the second quarterfinal game around 3 p.m. at North Central College in Naperville?

Or will others, who complain and moan, make an appearance to voice their thoughts?

-Joe Trost

Posted by Corner Kicks at 9:41 AM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

I’m a big believer in telling it the way it is. Rubs a lot of people the wrong way, but so be it.

So here we go:

Let’s say the IHSA allowed high school players to play club during the high school season, do you think the clubs and Fire Academy would allow the players to do both next season?

While the IHSA is one of the few states that doesn’t allow players to do both during the same season, it’s only a matter of time before someone sues the organization like a parent in Texas did to gain access to both. But would the clubs and Chicago Fire work with the high schools, so the players could play for their community?

If I’m a betting man, I say the answer is no - no matter what they say. There is no way they would work fairly with the high school programs.

Why would they need to?

If the IHSA did allow players to do both, it would be giving up the only power it currently has. If players do both, the IHSA is basically powerless.

Thoughts?

-Joe Trost

Posted by Corner Kicks at 7:46 PM | Permalink | Comments (6) | TrackBacks (0)

My dad once told me you don’t start to feel old until you see professional players you watched growing up going into the Hall of Fame. When a new player goes into the Hall of Fame, I always find it hard to believe. But then when I see they’ve been retired for a couple years, I always think back to my dad’s comment.

So there's my Hall of Fame moment.

And here's another thought: Gibault coach Jim Corsi deserves a spot in the IHSSCA Hall of Fame.

Let's look at Corsi, coach of the three-time defending Class A champs:

*He has led the Gibault boys program to double-digit wins each season since becoming head coach in 1991.
*He has led the Gibault boys program to five state trophies, including three consecutive titles. He is only the second coach in the state's history to accomplish that.
*He has won 242 games playing a solid schedule each year, which includes teams from the loaded St. Louis area. Despite being a school with an enrollment around 250 students, he plays the best competition around.
*Since taking over the girls program in 1995, he has won 132 games.
*He led the girls program to a second place Class A finish last spring.

If that isn't enough, here's a lead to a story I wrote off last spring's Class A girls state title game:

When Jim Corsi wakes up this morning and looks in the mirror, the affable, longtime Gibault soccer coach is probably going to shake his head and laugh when he thinks about the past 365 days.

"Luckily, there were three paramedics right there and they used a heart defibulator to bring me back to life. That's why getting here was extra special, because I couldn't be there for these girls last year until the end of the season."

It's time for the IHSSCA to honor Corsi - someone who has given to the sport, died and come back to life to give even more to the sport.

The time is now. Tomorrow, as Corsi knows, isn't promised.

-Joe Trost

Posted by Corner Kicks at 10:59 AM | Permalink | Comments (3) | TrackBacks (0)

No one is surprised that Neuqua Valley is good.

But no matter what they do this weekend, the Wildcats deserve a lot of credit for what they've done this year.

From the Best of the West title to the postseason competition it has faced just to get to this point, should Neuqua Valley be No. 1 in the final Sun-Times Top 10 rankings no matter how it does this weekend in Naperville?

Even if they lose in the quarterfinals, semifinals or title game, there isn't another team in the final eight that has played the schedule coach Jim Johns' squad has faced this season.

Thoughts?

FYI - here was the Sun-Times preseason Top 10:
1. Lincoln-Way Central: Phil Galounis, Tim Garland, Jason Obermeier, Dave Sayre and Matt Ducci are back, which puts a smile on coach Dan Radz's face. (Lost in sectional semis)

2. St. Charles North: Coach Eric Wilson believes the North Stars are ''ready to bring it this year.'' (Lost in sectional semis)

3. Wheaton Warrenville South: Will be tested off the bat in Barrington Tournament and Pepsi Showdown. (Lost in sectional semis)

4. Neuqua Valley: Just one of the loaded teams in Naperville. (State quarterfinals)

5. New Trier: Will be fresh for playoffs with only 12 games on schedule, but will team be truly battle-tested? (State quarterfinals)

6. Naperville Central: Defender Tim Zimmer leads a cast of players with three years of varsity experience. (Lost in sectional final)

7. Naperville North: Without three studs to start the season but watch out come October. (Lost in sectional semis)

8. Glenbrook North: Eight of 11 starters return from 20-win team. (Lost in sectional semis)

9. Downers Grove South: Junior Brett Petricek named top goalie at ODP Championships. (Lost in sectional semis)

10. Geneva: The Vikings edged out Hinsdale Central for final spot. (Lost in supersectional)

-Joe Trost

Posted by Corner Kicks at 8:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (4) | TrackBacks (0)

After returning from Arizona yesterday, I sat on the phone with a number of coaches and asked a basic question: "Does today's high school player really appreciate All-State, All-Area or All-America honors the way high school athletes used to?"

I think you can make a case based on each player. Over the past 10 years, I have worked with some great parents and players. But in the era we live in, I think it's safe to say overall high school players don't appreciate the awards.

Why?

Years ago and even decades ago for some, it used to be an honor for a player to make the varsity team. Now, most parents and players believe it's their right, because they go to the school and pay tax dollars. I've heard that before, and I always shake my head. Folks, that's why park districts were created.

I'm all about providing students with opportunities, but I don't see schools placing a student in an advanced math or science class because they want to be in there.

And let's be realistic about this era: Instead of the coach being right, it's the coach's fault; If you don't like the coach, you start your own team; If you don't like how the award is handed out, you create your own award.

So with that in mind, do you think most high school players appreciate today's honors?

-Joe Trost

Posted by Corner Kicks at 1:39 PM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBacks (0)

On Monday night, eight teams will be handed keys to start a state-bound bus for the Class AA boys soccer state finals in Naperville. Cornerkicks is here to provide you a look at who those eight teams will be, while also providing some bulletin board material for eight other teams heading into Super Monday.

The way this year's postseason has shaped up, it wouldn't surprise me if one of these bus will be hijacked. As you read in the Sun-Times preseason preview, it looked as though this was going to be a very balanced year throughout the area.

And it's proved to be just that.

Hinsdale Central vs. Argo at Toyota Park: Argo has played at Toyota Park the past two seasons, so it knows just how big the field is. It is in search of its first quarterfinals berth, as is Hinsdale Central under coach Mike Wiggins. The Red Devils' lone state finals appearance came in 1975 when they captured the state crown. While some will say it's just one game, it's the biggest game of the year for both teams. And Wiggins has prepared his squad for this one by playing a solid schedule. Cornerkicks pick: Hinsdale Central

Lemont vs. Minooka at Toyota Park: Lemont had some nice teams in the late 1990s, but it was never able to secure a Class A quarterfinal berth. This year, however, Lemont enters the Super as the favorite. Minooka had a nice postseason, but it won't enjoy the ride home on I-80. Cornerkicks pick: Lemont

New Trier vs. Lane at Loyola University: The Indians have 80 minutes left in their 2007 season. Enough said. Just being honest. The only question Sun-Times prep editor Steve Tucker and I have is whether Public League Sports Adminstration Director Calvin Davis will be in attendance to support Lane Tech? http://blogs.suntimes.com/cornerkicks/2007/09/hey_calvin_davis_theres_more_t.html#comments Cornerkicks pick: New Trier

Barrington vs. Libertyville at Benedictine University: This will be the site of the best two games in the state. Libertyville was the story at the start season with coach Andy Bitta back on the sideline. The Wildcats hit a couple road bumps after the Pepsi Showdown, but obviously they have rebounded nicely. The Broncos' two losses have come via the shootout this season. One thing I've learned from the past, however, Barrington and the postseason don't always go together nicely. But still....Cornerkicks pick: Barrington

Geneva vs. Neuqua Valley at Benedictine University: The Vikings, which will join the Pepsi Showdown in 2008, are on a roll. They started the season 3-5-2, but since playing against St. Edward (Ohio) in a Pepsi Showdown play-in game in September, Geneva has won 16 straight. Geneva's Adam Cornwell is someone to watch. Neuqua Valley is No. 1 and has been No. 1. But Benedictine hasn't been kind to No. 1 teams in the past - just ask the 2006 Benet team or 2005 Naperville North team. Did you know a team from Naperville hasn't advanced to the state final since 2003? And the curse of Naperville will continue. Cornerkicks pick: Geneva

Rockford Boylan vs. Schaumburg at NIU: It wouldn't be a state final without Rockford Boylan - would it? Schaumburg - a No. 8 seed (when seeds were handed out three weeks into the regular season) - could pull off the upset with Josh Beard leading the way. But if the Saxons did that the IHSA-YSO wouldn't have proper geographic representation. And we wouldn't want that now would we? That would mean we could have Barrington, Geneva and Schaumburg in the final eight. I really think Rockford Boylan is going to win, but damn the IHSA-YSO geographic representation. Cornerkicks pick: Schaumburg

Downstate finalists: Not going to lie, haven't seen any of the four teams left this year. But when in doubt, stick with history right? Collinsville and Peoria Notre Dame.

Enjoy the games. Moments like these for the remaining 16 teams aren't promised everyday, and that's something everyone needs to remember.

Let's see your picks.

Posted by Corner Kicks at 2:15 PM | Permalink | Comments (4) | TrackBacks (0)

Anyone who knows me well will tell you I am not a big fan of message boards and blogs.

But this is the new society we live in.

When used correctly, message boards and blogs can bring an issue to the forefront and hopefully spark some change - at least some conversation. But more times than not, we have people hiding behind their computers with fa