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Please help me out here.
If you were writing a book on high school football in Illinois, what would you include in it?
Well, University of Illinois Press in Champaign has asked me to author a book on the subject. Lots of books have been written about high school basketball in Illinois. I know. I wrote two of them. But football? Never before.
I have a lot of ideas. When I first contacted U. of I. Press in 2001, I submitted two book proposals--one for football, one for basketball. At the time, the editors preferred basketball because they felt there was more interest in basketball in Illinois, especially Downstate. I agreed.
But I kept a file on football. And when I traveled around the state for two months to research my first basketball book, "Sweet Charlie, Dike, Cazzie, and Bobby Joe: High School Basketball in Illinois," I made notes, gathered telephone numbers and thought about what I would do if this day ever came.
Like the basketball book, I plan to highlight the top players, coaches and teams that have dominated the game. Also the top games, dynasties and rivalries. Not to mention chapters on the Chicago Public League, Chicago Catholic League, Prep Bowl and state playoffs.
There are some no-brainers, such as:
Players: Red Grange, Dick Butkus, Ray Nitschke, Otto Graham, Buddy Young, Johnny Lattner, Alex Agase, Mike Alstott, Otis Armstrong.
Coaches: Tony Lawless, Murney Lazier, Gary Korhonen, Bob Shannon, Frank Lenti, Gordie Gillespie, Matt Senffner, Deek Pollard, John O'Boyle, Pat Cronin.
Teams: Mount Carmel 1950, Joliet Catholic 1975, Wheaton Warrenville South 1998, St. Rita 1971, Evanston 1971, East St. Louis 1985.
Rivalries: Englewood vs. Hyde Park; East Aurora vs. West Aurora; Moline vs. Rock Island; Mount Carmel vs. St. Rita; Champaign vs. Urbana; East St. Louis vs. Belleville.
Games: Austin/Leo 1937; Glenbrook North/East St. Louis 1974; Wheaton Warrenville South/Joliet Catholic 1992; Maine South/Mount Carmel, 1995; St. Laurence/Glenbard West 1976.
Programs: Mount Carmel, Providence, Joliet Catholic, East St. Louis, Geneseo, Metamora, Carthage, Marian Central, Arcola, Pittsfield.
Your suggestions are welcome.
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the IHSA referee who did a game involving Walnut (IIRC) in the early 90s who blew a call, and thought about attempting suicide, then came back to keep officiating. There was a story on him in Sports Illustrated, IIRC.
NO BOOK ON ILLINOIS FOOTBALL WOULD BE COMPLETE WITHOUT MENTIONING ONE OF THE TOP PROGRAMS IN ILLINOIS HISTORY, THE DRISCOLL CATHOLIC HIGHLANDERS OUT OF ADDISON, ILLINOIS. THIS SCHOOL HAS RULED CLASS 4A FOR THE LAST 7 YEARS. FROM 2001 THROUGH 2007 THEY HAVE WON 7 CONSECUTIVE STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS. ONLY 9 HIGH SCHOOL TEAMS NATIONALY IN ANY SPORT HAVE EVER ACHIEVED THIS GOAL.THE COACHING LEADERS OF THIS STREAK WERE TIM RACKI, WHO HAS MOVED ON TO NAZARETH HIGH SCHOOL AND CURRENTLY MIKE "BUZZ" BURZAWA AND MIKE LOCONSOLE.THIS REMARKABLE ACCOMPLISHMENT HAS BEEN ACHIEVED BY A SMALL CATHOLIC SCHOOL OF APPROXIMATELY 440 COED STUDENTS.
I think a couple of players need to be mentioned are Rashard Mendenhall, Niles West and Howard Jones, Evanston. They had great high school careers during their time.
Please ask Rick Telander about his High School football coach Tom Peeler.
You could write about just about the Catholic league of the mid to late 80's. I would also include the ST. Laurence St Rita game in 1987 @ St Rita. One of the best played.