Here are some of my thoughts from last weekend's game and this week's top matchups.

"Don't go there!"

On Saturday at Gately Stadium, Johnsburg took an early 3rd quarter 21-0 lead over Robeson. Robeson standout senior WR Brandon Green made a play near the Skyhawks sideline and started to hear the "over-rated" chant from the Johnsburg student section.

Oops.

Green, who committed to the University of Minnesota last weekend along with his Robeson teammate Johnny Johnson, was moved to quarterback and led the Raiders to 32 2nd half points including two passing touchdowns and a key interception in the Raiders come from behind 32-27 win.

After the game, I asked Green if he happened to hear the taunts from the Johnsburg sideline. Green just smiled and said, "Yeah, I heard it."

The Great Equalizer

So what in the world is the Great Equalizer?

Well, you've heard of the Great Pumpkin yet the Great Equalizer made it's expected annual appearance on Friday night. Rain and sloppy conditions hit the greater Chicagoland area hard, and the Great Equalizer took full effect. Several teams were either forced out of it's game plans entirely or tried to throw the ball to little or no effect.

Generally we'll have at least a few week's filled with the Great Equalizer yet so far this year we've seen very little bad weather on Friday nights and Saturday afternoons. Once the bad weather hits, scores and generally high flying passing attacks get grounded.

Top matchups to watch this week?

Make sure to check my website at www.edgytim.com for more of this freaky in-depth playoff coverage stuff.

Class 8A

#5 Park Ridge (Maine South) (9-1) at #4 Glenview (Glenbrook South) (9-1), Sat. 7 p.m.- I was able to see the Week 7 showdown of these two Central Suburban South rivals. Glenbrook South was driving at the end of the game and just missed getting into the end zone, as the Hawks held on for the 28-21 win in Park Ridge. In the first matchup, Maine South's spread offense took advantage of the Titans defense that tried to take away the Hawks short and intermediate routes, and the Hawks senior RB David Chao had a big day. Look for the Titans and head coach Mike Noll to pull a few surprises this time around in what looks to be an outstanding rematch filled with intensity.

#7 Bolingbrook (8-2) at #2 Naperville (North) (9-1), Fri. 7 p.m.- talk about two teams heading on a collision course. The Bolingbrook Raidera and head coach John Ivlow has his team playing very solid football in all aspects. The Raiders defense has allowed just 82 points all season, and the offense has improved each week and is led by Wisconsin verbal commit Erik Smith and senior QB Shadonta Travis. The Raiders will run it's spread offense and takes advantage of some serious skills and speed. Naperville North offers senior QB Jordan Tassio, one of the top signal callers in Chicagoland this fall. Tassio can beat teams in several ways, and is equally talented throwing or running the ball along with kicking and punting for the Huskies. North and head coach Larry McKeon also boasts an outstanding defense this fall, having allowed just 92 points in 10 games this season. The difference in this one? Execution. Whoever holds onto the ball and keeps the penalties to a minimum should pull out the win.

Class 7A

#4 Chicago (St. Rita) (7-3) at #1 Wheaton (W. Warrenville South) (10-0), Fri. 7 p.m.- My oh my. Red Grange Field in Wheaton will be rocking again this Friday night, and make sure to get there early. The defending Class 7A state champs (St. Rita) against the defending Class 8A champs (Wheaton South) will feature two outstanding programs with two completely different styles. St. Rita and head coach Todd Kuska features a Super Sized offensive line featuring Western Michigan verbal commit OG Kevin Galeher and plenty of skills including senior QB Jason Kafka. The defense for the Mustangs is also big and physical and keep an eye out on Notre Dame verbal commit DE Darius Fleming and a very deep and talented group of linebackers. Wheaton South? The Tigers and head coach Ron Muhitch just outplay and outhustle most comers. While the Tigers will again be over-sized physically in this matchup with the CCL Blue, look for South to utilize it's outstanding team speed on both sides of the ball as an equalizer to the Mustangs beef. South senior QB Michael Piatkowski has quietly been one of the state's most effective signal callers all season.

Class 6A

#5 Chicago (Hubbard) (8-2) at #4 Oak Forest (9-1), Sat. 5 p.m.- the Hubbard Greyhounds and the Oak Forest Bengals will once again square off in the Class 6A state playoffs. Last year these two played in a steady downpour at Gately Stadium as the Bengals won and went on to Class 6A semifinals before losing to eventual state champion Normal Community. Oak Forest this year you ask? It's all about the defense this season for head coach Brian McDonough. The Bengals have allowed just 82 points all season, and the experience factor for the Bengals this season is on the defensive side of the ball. Senior DL Mike Johns (Miami of Ohio) is a definite player to watch along with ILB Chad Sprayberry and senior Chori Bryant. Offensively, senior QB Ron Czarnecki has gotten better and better each week, and the Bengals also feature several speedy and talented underclassmen in it;s offensive backfield. Hubbard? Head coach Elton Harris knew that he had quite a task this season, as Harris would need to replace several key starters from last season this fall. While the Greyhounds might be young this fall they are definitely talented. Senior RB Emery Oliver is a very solid back, and the Greyhounds are loaded with a ton of talented skill position players. On the defensive side of the ball. junior LB Darius Moffet is a player to watch.

Class 5A

#7 Woodstock (Marian) (8-2) at #2 Lombard (Montini) (9-1), Sat. 1 p.m.- this rematch between two Suburban Catholic league powers will be quite an affair on Saturday in Lombard. Montini handled the Hurricanes 33-0 back in Week 7 of the regular season, yet Marian Central Catholci was without the services of injured junior QB Jon Budmayr. Budmayr is back and last week threw 22 of 38 passes for 440 yards and three touchdowns in the Hurricanes 46-27 win over Sterling. Can having Jon Budmayr be the difference in this rematch for the Hurricanes? Marian Central Catholic also features a very solid offensive line led by Notre Dame verbal commit Sean Cwyna. Montini will counter with it's own standout junior quarterback in Tom DiCristina and a host of Division 1 talent in senior RB Dex Jones (Wisconsin), senior OT Chuck Porcelli (Northwestern) and senior OL-DL Garrett Goebel (Ohio State).

Posted by Edgy Tim at 06:03 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Win or go home.

The weather has suddenly changed again over the past few days to make it feel more like state football playoff time, and if you can't get juiced about the start of the state football playoffs this week, well, then just keep surfing.

So who are the likely favorites to win state titles in Classes 5A thru 8A?

Sleepers? Dark horses?

Looking for a few potential surprise winners out of this weekend's first round action?

Then read on folks. Here's my take today on Class 7A and check back the rest of the week for my take on Classes 6A and 5A. It's an EDGY World at this time of the year, so let's boogie.

Class 7A

The favorite? Wheaton Warrenville South- while the Class 7A field is loaded with quality programs, seeing the defending Class 8A state chmpion Tigers dropping down to the Class 7A level this playoff season is quite a move for the Tigers and the rest of the class.

The Tigers just look to have it going as well as anyone heading into the state playoffs. The offense is diverse and well balanced behind senior QB Michael Piatkowski, who should be drawing several serious looks as an All State candidate this post-season. The defense for the Tigers remain a speedy and hard hitting unit, and is anyone as well coached at the Tigers under head coach Ron Muhitch and his staff? South will face teams with bigger kids and higher profile players in Class 7A, but when it's all said and done the Tigers in most cases are still left standing in the winners circle.

Dark horses in Class 7A?

In the north or upper bracket, #3 seed Cary-Grove and head coach Bruce Kay always just seem to win games and advance. #4 seed Lake Zurich made it to the Class 7A state final last fall, and the Bears look to have an equally as tough defense this fall along with a quality ball control offense. Now, looking for a real long shot? Look no further than #16 seed Prospect. The Knights finished the regular season with a 5-4 record, yet no one including #1 seeded Rockford Boylan wants to see this team to open up the state playoffs. Prospect is NOT your typical #16 seed.

In the south bracket, #2 seed Morgan Park might have it's best all around team in many years. The offense has been steady and the defense for the Mustangs is lights out this fall for veteran head coach Lexie Spurlock. Also don't discount #4 seed St. Rita. The defending Class 7A state champions have been battling the injury bug this season, yet if the Mustangs can get healthy at this time of the year, they have the makings of a team that can make a serious ride. Also keep an eye out for #6 seed Batavia. The Bulldogs and veteran head coach Mike Gaspari have been up and down all season, posting a 5-4 regular season record. The Bulldogs are always well prepared and should not be intimidated with heading out on the road to face East St. Louis on Saturday.

Potential upsets in the first round of Class 7A?

#16 seed Prospect over #1 seed Rockford Boylan
#12 seed Niles Notre Dame over #5 seed Rolling Meadows
#6 seed Batavia over #3 seed East St. Louis

EDGYTIM is the longtime publisher of www.edgytim.com, part of the Rivals.com/Yahoo Sports network.

Posted by Edgy Tim at 09:08 AM | Permalink | Comments (3) | TrackBacks (0)

Win or go home.

The weather has suddenly changed again over the past few days to make it feel more like state football playoff time, and if you can't get juiced about the start of the state football playoffs this week, well, then just keep surfing.

So who are the likely favorites to win state titles in Classes 5A thru 8A?

Sleepers? Dark horses?

Looking for a few potential surprise winners out of this weekend's first round action?

Then read on folks. Here's my take today on Class 8A and check back the rest of the week for my take on Classes 7A thru 5A.

It's an EDGY World at this time of the year, so let's boogie.

Class 8A

The favorite?

Chicago Mount Carmel- no question the Class 8A field is as loaded as ever, and this fall might just be the toughest field 1 thru 32 we've ever seen. So while I'm as nervous as one of the Sun-Times writers getting passed the dinner check with this pick, I'll take the Caravan to win the Class 8A title.

MC has been playing very well offensively all season long. Junior QB Jordan Lynch has been somewhat underrated this fall for the Caravan, being able to run the Belly Option with great effectiveness. The defense has been up and down, yet the overall talent level is unquestioned. I also like the sudden geographical adjustment compliments of the IHSA on pairings night, sending the Caravan on a path up north. Potential upsets could be looming for MC? No question about it, but someone has to be the favorite, right?

Dark horses in Class 8A?

In the north or upper bracket, Maine South still has the offensive firepower this fall to case all comers headaches. The Hawks junior QB Charlie Goro has been spectacular so far this fall and looks to have the Hawks on a roll at the right time of the year. Glenbrook South? The Titans I'm sure are looking towards a potential Round 2 rematch against Maine South, and remember EDGY rule #147 that states that "it's NEVER easy to beat the same team twice in the same season" in high school football.

In the south bracket, it's literally anyone's call to advance to the state final. Downers Grove South is the #1 seed, yet just how battle tested are the Hit Hard gang this season? Chicago Brother Rice and head coach Steve Nye just always seem to sneak under the radar screen and the Crusaders just win games. Naperville North? The #2 seed Huskies are also considered a favorite to get to the state finals and why not? Senior QB Jordan Tassio was nearly unstoppable in the overtime period for the Huskies in it's 42-41 3OT loss last Friday to Wheaton South. A true sleeper you ask in the south bracket? How about #7 seed Bolingbrook? The Raiders and head coach John Ivlow have played a tough schedule this season, and the Raiders have a physical defensive unit that I feel can play with all comers in the Class 8A field.

Potential upsets in the first round iof Class 8A?

#14 seed Glenbard North over #3 seed Whitney Young
#9 seed Palatine over #8 seed Lane Tech
#9 seed Andrew over #8 seed Belleville East

EDGYTIM is the longtime publisher of www.edgytim.com, part of the Rivals.com/Yahoo Sports network.

Posted by Edgy Tim at 01:37 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

Welcome to The Other Side.

The Other Side? An Aerosmith song? This time of year without question remains the favorite time of year for any high school football fan. Excitement, drama, win or go home. If your even remotely close to being even a casual football fan, playoff time rules.

At this time of year, we all get caught up in the big game. The fans are getting ready to throw down on Friday night and Saturday, fans across the state are in full blown hype mode. The message boards and blogs are a buzz with talk of eliminating all private schools from the IHSA state playoffs, and the private school supporters cry school vouchers and beyond. IHSA Football State Playoffs, you've gotta love them.

Now, most of us who are in and around this game get caught up in the here and now; who won the big game, such as who was the top performer and on and on. The greatest prep scribes of our time can be seen scurrying around the field like that lonely squirrel looking for the last nut to store for winter. After the game these same reporter/squirrel types try to get that one or two quotes from the star of the winning side. They have to get the winning coach's comments, otherwise the competition might beat them to the punch.

Myself you ask? Sure, I'm seen running around the field as well at this time of the year, looking to capture those comments for all of you to see for yourselves via video with my $1.97 Wal-Mart winter ski cap interestingly adjusted from a hat to a camera weather protection bag for the elements (it's the EDGY way, a costly camera protected by a $1.97 ski hat). Yes, after the big game I'm as guilty as the great scribes.

Yet, I also make it a point to check out The Other Side.

See, like in every major event in our live, you have the winning side, all smiles and joy, and then you have The Other Side. The Other Side doesn't require pictures or video to tell the story. The Other Side is the story that never gets told, yet The Other Side is as an emotional of a story than you'll ever read in your daily newspaper.

Last Saturday, my guy Kevin was on The Other Side. Kevin was a kid that I met at one of my Junior Days way back last winter. These meet and greet yearly events are basically open to any and all underclassmen, and I enjoy hosting these events on many levels, but mostly it's a good chance for me to get some basic information on the next season's hero's including the many mug shot photos you'll see on the Rivals.com network all year long. I'll withhold who Kevin played for as well as his last name, because in all honesty kids like Kevin can be found all across this state from now until we play for the trophies in Champaign.

Kevin basically is a very nice kid who also happened to be a very solid player. Kevin was not a major D-1 recruit mind you, yet Kevin was a definite player. Kevin and his Mom made the 100 mile round-trip drive in the middle of winter on a Saturday afternoon just to be a part of my annual Junior Day event. Kevin's effort alone impressed me, yet when I took a few minutes to talk to Kevin (who I never met before, but from a few minute conversation I could tell that he was an EDGYTIM.com regular) I could tell that this was a young man who lived and breathed football. I'm so fortunate to come across so many great kids, yet kids like Kevin always seem to stand out to me, and I always seem to remember kids like Kevin.

Kevin basically worked as hard as any kid to get ready for his final season. Kevin, who was listed as 6-foot-0, 210 pounds this year was more like 5-foot-10, 185-190 pounds, yet the offseason weight lifting, speed training and the overall sweat and effort over the last four years has allowed Kevin to reach his best for his final season. Kevin was ready for his senior season.

The pain from The Other Side after being eliminated from the state playoff field never seems to ease over the years, and the further a team progresses in the state playoffs, the harder it is to look into the eyes of players just like Kevin. So, unlike the others, I always make it a point after the celebrations from the winning side have subsided to pay my respects to the kids from The Other Side. You know who these kids are, they are the ones that despite the heartbreaking loss can't leave the field. I've seen kids sit alone on the field after a game for over an hour, just sitting and trying to take it all in just one last time.

The Other Side kids can't bear the fact that the last four years have just disappeared forever, and the parents and the families from The Other Side also feel that pain as well. The images of our weekend warriors in full gear and equipment seem to always hide the fact that once you remove the helmets, these remain just a bunch of baby-faced kids.

So on Saturday, I put the camera away and went seeking out my guy Kevin. I knew that Kevin would be one of the last players to leave the field on Saturday, because kids like Kevin are always the last to leave the field. Kevin played well in his last high school varsity game. Despite the loss, Kevin and his teammates made quite an impression on me. Kevin's team was down 21-0 in a heartbeat, yet the effort never wavered and Kevin's team made things very interesting before the sheer talent difference took over. Kevin played like a warrior in this game, and went out with no excuses.

So when I saw Kevin, saw the tears streaming down his face, saw him try to Man Up when he saw me thru those tears, I told him the truth. Kevin played his butt off, that he should be proud of his effort and the way he played as well as his team's efforts. No shame in losing to a team like this, and that Kevin's team showed a lot of character in the comeback attempt. Kevin tried to hold back the tears, and he looked at me and shook his head. Kevin then said "Thanks for everything, Edgy" and then just like that he disappeared into the cold night air.

I wanted to tell Kevin and so many of those on The Other Side who have been on The Other Side so much more on Saturday night. Such as? Such as if kids like Kevin put the same type of effort and dedication into the rest of their lives, that they will succeed in life. I wanted to tell him how much fun I get in watching kids like him grow and mature, wanted to tell him how much I enjoy being able to talk to so many great kids like him. I have no doubts that Kevin and so many others like him will be just fine, and that soon enough they will look back on their last four years of high school someday and will have nothing but good memories.

The parents? Yes, the parents from The Other Side also will go through a transition, and at this point maybe I should start a support group? The parents from The Other Side will also feel a sense of loss. No more road trips, no more rides to other schools, picking up the kids from practices, parent and booster club meetings and the overall feeling of being a part of a community is lost forever. Many parents of graduated seniors will get the itch to come back again when the fall comes around next year, and many will head back to the next set of football games, and it will never feel the same ever again.

So while only 8 teams will be lucky enough to never be on The Other Side this playoff season, so many others will not be that lucky. The Other Side has a story to tell, and let us never forget the efforts, dedication and enjoyment we have all received from those people on The Other Side. I never have forgotten, and I guess that is what separates me from the many others? No matter who wins or who doesn't win, you learn to appreciate the efforts from both sides. From the coaches, teachers, administrators, players, parents and fan, we all should appreciate the efforts and for the chance to be fortunate to witness the amazing story on the winning side as well as on The Other Side.

Posted by Edgy Tim at 04:46 PM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBacks (0)

Over on my website at EDGYTIM.com, we have a simple rule among the many message board posters and contributors at this time of the year.

When it comes to the IHSA state football playoff system, feel free to complain all you want, that is until the games begin.

Once the games begin, regardless of your issues with our system, put your arguments and thoughts aside for the games, the coaches and the kids.

So as we get ever closer to the release of the IHSA State Football Playoff Pairings on Saturday, October 20th (a night that for myself has become a combination of Christmas, New Years Eve and my birthday all wrapped up into one glorious night) I feel a responsibility to at least get my ya-ya's out regarding what I feel is to a certain degree one messed up system.

So if I was King for a Day and had the authority to rule over everything that was the IHSA Football Playoff system?

Well, here we go then. All Hail King EDGY?

1. Seed each class of the state playoffs 1-32- Currently, we seem to flip flop between seeding each class either as 2 brackets of 16 teams or 4 8 team quads depending upon travel. Personally, the two 16 teams brackets I feel are a marked improvement from the original 4 8 team quads, yet this is still a flawed system on many levels.

Now, the IHSA over the past few years has stated many times that they have no real interest in ensuring that the best two teams make it to a state final. Huh? Yes, no need to back-track on that statement. The current IHSA playoff system wants to ensure that equal parts of the state have an equal chance to make it to the state finals regardless of the competition level. To the state association, location is king.

In my first act as King for the Day? Bye bye location and welcome to a true seeding per class. I know the naysayers will argue the cost of travel these days, yet how much of the educational experience are kids missing these days because they won't ever get to experience say a 2-3 hour bus ride to a different area of the state for a game? I say they are missing one of the best parts of the state playoff experience.

From a competition standpoint? No question we would have great match-ups regardless of location and yes, hopefully the best teams regardless of location would make the state finals. Let's stop trying to take the competition out of competitive sports. Look kids, in the state playoffs as well as in life. someone will lose and someone will win. It's life, and the sooner we teach that lesson and stop handing out trophies and pizza to everyone, the better in my book.

2. Under no circumstances shall any two conference foes face each other in the first round- Nothing gets me more upset with our current state playoff system than when two teams who face each other get to square off again in Week 10. It gets even worse when two conference teams who just played each other in Week 9 get to play each other in Week 10. It's silly and unfair in my book. If you seed 1-32 and those two teams face each other still in the bracket, then by all means move one team down and another up until you can avoid those types of match-ups.

3. Day and time of all playoff games shall be determined by the home team- End of story. Don't wanna play on a Friday night in the playoffs as the visiting team? Well, if the home team claims they want Friday night, then under my reign of terror the home team sets the day and time. The only allowable scenario is travel. If the visiting team needs to travel say more