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Has there been a year recently when more teams had a chance to win the Class AA state crown than this year? Some will say it's due to the rise of the average player and average program, while others will point to the fall of the premier programs losing premier players.
I think it's a little bit of both.
It wouldn't be a true postseason if Cornerkicks didn't provide some entertaining postseason thoughts, which should fit perfectly on a bulletin board...all right, maybe a few bulletin boards. We'll be handing out the keys to start the state-bound buses on Monday.
Until then, here's this week's Class AA Top 10 and Class A Top 5:
JOE TROST'S RANKINGS
(Last week's ranking in parentheses)
1. Neuqua Valley 15-1-4 (1)
• • Bryan Gaul has the skills in the midfield
2. Barrington 17-2 (2)
• • Ready to provide some payback to Hersey
3. Wheaton Warrenville South 16-3-3 (3)
• • Goalie Randall Babb has a .07 goals-against average
4. Lincoln-Way Central 20-2-1 (4)
• • Rematch with Lincoln-Way East in regional final?
5. St. Viator 18-0-3 (5)
• • Coach Mike Taylor raving about junior defender Matt Riggio
6. Downers Grove South 16-2-3 (6)
• • Mark Dismang has 11 goals, 12 assists
7. Naperville North 14-3-4 (7)
• • Darkhorse to win Class AA state title
8. Naperville Central 16-3-1 (8)
• • Impressive win over WWS a sign of things to come?
9. Lake Zurich 16-3-2 (9)
• • Justin Pennino anchors defense that has allowed a mere 10 goals.
10. New Trier 16-2-1 (10)
• • Midfielder Kyle McCrudden has 10 goals, eight assists
Class A
1. Morgan Park Academy
2. Timothy Christian
3. Latin
4. Parker
5. Manteno
Cell Phone Alerts
you didn't change any teams, despite barrington losing to HERSEY!?!? Also, WWS lost and Neuqua Valley tied. Why no change?
TROST RESPONDS: Honestly, here's the reason - last week Naperville Central beat Wheaton South, who beat Naperville North, who beat Naperville Central, who beat Downers South, who beat Naperville North. Naperville Central lost to Naperville North 6-1, so that stuck out the most. Any team can beat any team these days. Yes, Barrington lost but I just didn't feel there is a team behind them that is really better. I never drop teams for a tie or shootout loss, unless it's to a really, really poor team. St. Viator is undefeated, but it really hasn't been challenged. It was the last week of the regular season, and I think most Class AA teams are just dying to get the postseason started. Barrington may have lost the Soccer Bowl, but the real game is Wednesday.
So much for St. Viator, right?