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.