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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.
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Hi Tim.
This is a tough thing to see the reviews and Loyola is not even mentioned. The IHSA screwed Loyola from getting to the finals easily with their pairings. First as you noted, the phantom north team should have been in the south, but the IHSA wanted one of the public schools to be in the finals if they get by Brother Rice in the south bracket.
I have seen all the Loyola games and the only time they looked really off was at Providence. They missed blocks, tackles, and dropped passes to go with 2 turnovers. I don't think that the boys are going to have a hard time getting up for the playoffs. But that is why we play the games.
Keep up the good work.