2016 Playoffs Round 2 Thoughts 1A-4A

Here’s some of my thoughts on some games from the 2nd Round of the IHSA playoffs…

4A

Herscher 38 Dixon 26
Dixon kept it close, while Herscher is on a quest to complete its perfect season. Herscher plays a very tough Phillips squad next week.

Althoff Catholic 61 Taylorville 25
Along with Phillips, I put Althoff in my top 25 teams in the state before the season. Althoff will face their biggest test yet against the high powered Rochester offense. Who will score more points?

Johnsburg 49 Manteno 35
Johnsburg is another high powered offense that looks unbeatable at times. Can Alex Peete end his illustrious high school career with a state title?

Phillips 50 Aurora Central Catholic 16
I was at this game and minus getting called for 10 penalties, Phillips looked nearly unbeatable. They play undefeated Herscher next week in what could be one of the top games to watch in the state.

3A

Immaculate Conception 65 Paxton-Buckley-Loda 0
I thought IC Catholic would be good at this beginning of this year, but not THIS good. They play a very good and also undefeated Wilmington team next week. I think the winner will of that game will hoist the championship trophy in Champaign.

Wilmington 38 Byron 18
As stated above, I really like this Wilmington team. They can put up a lot of points in a hurry. They have their toughest test yet against IC Catholic next week.

Unity 48 Mt. Carmel 22
I really liked this Mt. Carmel team. Trevor Kennard and Jackson Marcotte are bigtime playmakers. Didn’t see this one coming.

2A

Newman CC 49 St. Bede 20
Newman CC just keeps rolling at 11-0. They don’t have a lot of studs, but are well coached and play together as a unit. They play a tough Deer Creek team next week.

DuQuoin 42 Tri-Valley 28
Tri-Valley averaged 50 points per game in the regular season, but couldn’t match that number against DuQuoin. DuQuoin takes on Maroa-Forsyth next week.

Deer Creek 91 Chicago Hope 70
Holy high scoring game! Deer Creek won’t score 91 points every game, but is a good offense to look out for the rest of the playoffs.

1A

Ottawa Marquette 26 Dakota 20
While I didn’t make a preseason rankings for 1A, Ottawa Marquette would have been my pick to win it all and they are surely looking like it right now.

St. Teresa 27 Athens 26
I really liked both of these teams coming into this game. Jacardia Wright is the stud for St. Teresa, but I actually thought Athens would pull off the upset. A great game nonetheless.

Tuscola 55 Carrollton 28
Can the high-powered Tuscola offense be stopped? They play a Calhoun team that has yet to allow points in the playoffs. Something’s gotta give.