Facebook App
As the 2007 state football playoff moves into its second weekend, it is apparent that Mount Carmel, Wheaton Warrenville South, Naperville North and Joliet Catholic have separated themselves from the rest of the field.
But how good are they?
Are they in a class with the best teams in playoff history? Or are they better?
Former East Leyden coach Jack Leese, who produced an unbeaten team in 1971 and a state champion i 1977, said Mount Carmel's current squad is one of the best he has ever seen. He is impressed with the Caravan's option offense and its quick, aggressive defense.
But is this the best team coach Frank Lenti has produced at Mount Carmel?
How about his 14-0 powerhouse in 1988, which was led by quarterback Dan Miller, running back Nairobi Allen and defensive lineman Marty Schumacher? In a duel of unbeatens, Mount Carmel beat East St. Louis 21-7 for the state title.
Legendary coach Gordie Gillespie said the best of his five state championship teams was the 1975 squad that was led by linebacker Roger Hewlett and fullback Rick Thayer. In the state finals, the Hilltoppers trounced Springfield Griffin 34-14.
But was the squad better than Dan Sharp's 2000 Joliet Catholic team that beat previously unbeaten Metamora 27-14 in the state final? It was led by 1,000-yard running backs J.R. Zwierzynski and Chris Gruber, quarterback Craig Tomasino, defensive lineman Pat McShane and offensive tackle Mike Kolodziej.
Wheaton Warrenville South's 1998 team was the most entertaining, most explosive team of all. Led by quarterback Jon Beutjer and wide receivers Jon Schweighardt and Eric McGoey, coach John Thorne's Tigers overwhelmed Barrington 42-14 for the state crown. Beutjer set a playoff record by completing 29-or-43 passes for 490 yards and six touchdowns. McGoey set a playoff record by catching 12 passes for 246 yards and four touchdowns.
The following year, Naperville Central gave the DuPage Valley back-to-back state titles as Ryan Clifford set a playoff milestone by rushing for 279 yards and four touchdowns in a 56-31 romp over Schaumburg.
Bob Shannon built a dynasty at East St. Louis and his best team was the 1985 powerhouse that stomped Gordon Tech 46-0 in the state final. The Flyers were led by quarterback Kerwin Price and running back Michael Cox.
Of all of Matt Senffner's 11 championship teams at Providence, the 2001 squad might have been his best. It featured quarterback Mike Budde, running back Mike Mentz and linebacker Rory Steinbach.
Two other teams that deserve mention in this elite company are Richards' 1988 team with John Newton and Efrem Haymore and Wheaton Warrenville South's 2006 team with Dan Dierking.
My sentimental favorite always has been Glenbrook North's 1974 team, which won the first state championship in dramatic fashion by upsetting heavily favored East St. Louis 19-13 in overtime. Coach Harold Samorian's underdog Spartans, led by linebacker Jack Moller, beat a team that featured three future NFL players, including Hall of Famer Kellen Winslow.
So who were your favorites?
Cell Phone Alerts
how about the 1994 Belvidere Bucs they finished in top 10 rankings in the USA poll and the 1988 bucs lost to richards on a missed feild goal when they clearly ouyplayed them look at the stats there were national records set in that game that was a great offensive game on both sides of the ball the only time the Bucs got stopped was on the missed feild goal but I understand it is hard for another team outside of the Chicago area to get any pub.
BEST TEAM I'VE SEEN IN THE LAST 45 YEARS, AND I ADMIT I AM A BIASED ALUM, IS THE 1963 ST. RITA MYTHICAL NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP TEAM. SAW THEM TRASH CVS BEFORE OVER 82,000 FANS IN THE PREP BOWL AT SOLDIER FIELD.
I believe the 1998 Wheaton Warrenville South team would not be stopped. I believe they were the best team in the nation that year and can't believe another Illinois team ever being able to stop there all around attack. The skill players on Offense alone, developed 2 Big Ten WRs, a Notre Dame TE and a Big Ten QB. Two of those four got looks in the NFL, as Jerome Collins is still hanging around on the Giants. The defense was led by a sophomore CB who ended up at Wisconsin, a free safety that walked-on to Notre Dame and a LB who starred at NIU.
But enough with what happened to them after the fact. This team was unstoppable on offense.
I like the 1976 St Laurence team. They were powerful on both sides of the ball.
The best team in the last 25 yrs. is easily the 1985 East St. Louis squad. They actually beat Brother Rice, not Gordon Tech as mentioned above, 46-0 in the Championship game. That pains me to say as I'm a CCL guy. That was the Flyers 3rd Championship, and undefeated season, in a row. The speed on that team is unmatched since. They had def. linemen capable of running down other teams WRs from behind. Forget about catching their RBs or WRs if they broke free. Some of the stronger Mount Carmel teams may have compeated with them, but I don't see any team since beating them. The 1985 East St. Louis squad was also voted the National HS champs.
St. Laurence 1976 - awesome football team closely followed by St. Laurence 1974.
I would have to say that the '89 East St Louis flyers were the best team ever. We were also named National HS champs. Just look how we destroyed all of the other teams. Thanks!!!! Flyer #40 from 87 to 89.
I think that although there were some good teams around competing I feel as though Mt Carmel rose to the occasion in important games. The 88 and 89 teams were unstoppable and they proved it by winning back to back state championships in 2 different classes 5A and 6A. I dont think anyone with good football sense would argue the fact that Mt Carmel is a force to be reckoned with and should be acknowledged as one of the greatest football programs in the country back then and now!!! Not only that, any player that plays on the team has the opportunity to play Div 1 football and potential to play professionally as well!! Ask Donovan McNabb or Simon Rice!! I rest my case!!!
I played against the 1985 East Side Flyers the first game of 1985 season as the Quarter Back for Soldan Tigers, They beat the brakes off of us 56-0 they could have beat us 156-0 they were just that good, I had 27 tackles in that game solo, Our team was pretty decent, but they were just that Good, Ronnie Camron, Arthur Sergent, Brain Cox, Kerwin Price and they rest of those guys, I had to just give that whole team props, sorry guys I think that these Guys would have given a good game against a nice Div 2 School,
1971 thornridge team mithical state champs 71