Episode 271: Western Suburbs Quarterfinal IHSA Playoff Preview

But want to first review some of the games from last weekend, If you don't mind, I think I'll start with the game that I was at on Saturday, Montini hosting Byron. It was a rematch of last year's three A semifinal. You know, I think a lot of people think that there's a chance that it could be, you know, maybe the game that decides a three A championship, although there's some other really good teams out there, and it

really didn't. It did not disappoint at all. It was a game that was, you know, scoreless at halftime, you know, and then it came down to the wire. Montini twice took took a lead in the second half. They led fourteen to seven with they scored a touchdown with just under two minutes left, and then Byron just you know, they did a two minute drill the way Byron. Only

Byron can do it. Twelve plays, a lot of runs, a couple passes mixed in, but just methodical yet hurry up the type offense, and they score with ten ten seconds left to get down one. They go for two and Montini is able to I mean I was, I videoed it. I was in an end zone and and Byron's running back got hit just shy the goal line. Then he tried to like stretch out, and I mean, my god, that that that ball. That kid's arms are

just a touch longer. Maybe that football was inflated, you know, just a little bit more that that ball breaks the plane. But it didn't. But Montini comes away with with a thrilling fourteen to thirteen win. Just a lot of excitement on their side. And you know, it's funny. A few few things that I earned that I learned after the game. You know, I talked to Montini's linebacker Jackson Lane. I'm like, how did you know what play and who they're going

to go with? Because I mean Byron with that wing tea, you know, they run it so well and you don't always know who's going to get the ball where they're going, and and he said, you know, during the time out the Buyron coaches, we're talking to one particular running back just a little bit more and and he's like, you know, I'm still reading my keys, but I was kind of thinking that he was the one that was going to get the ball. And sure enough, it was that Byron

running back that got the ball. Brandon Ole and Jackson Lane was able to stop and just short and a

great play U there. And then you know, talking to the Mantini coach, Mike becausey afterward, you know, we me and another report asked him, you know, how long did you you know, you know, kind of we're just talking about the anticipation and the preparation for this game, and and he said, you know, I did something that I've never done in a very I mean, Mike cous has been coaching a long time, and he said, I did something that that I really hate to do. And he's like,

I looked ahead. He's like, we started to prepare for Byron the week before, and he said, it really paying me to do it. He's like, but I think it really paid off because their defense played a tremendous gaming iron is a team that had scored five hundred and eleven points coming in and they were shut out going out the fourth quarter. Great performance by the Montini defense, but just a great game overall, great sportsmanship on both sides.

I mean, the guys afterwards, you know, talking on both sides, and just a lot of respect between those two programs.

away from breaking the plane. You know, the awareness for them to get that stop at such a crucial moment. I mean, a huge win for Montini, and you know, it's a great way to you know, get the last laugh after what happened last year. To them.

know it's benefit years from Antini. But you know, we'll see that's obviously a big hurdle for them clearing a big win for them. Another game, another game that came down to the wire, A very different kind of game. I want to talk to that that Batavia comfort behind win over Lincoln Way West. I mean that that was a game that Steve Sussie last week he picked Lincoln Way West and I remember on the podcast I do with him, I kind of called him out. I'm like, wow,

you really like Lincoln Way West. And then they were up twenty one and nothing, and I remember saying another port. I'm like, you know, maybe Susie was onto something. But man, what a great, you know, come from behind win from Batavia, you know, directed by sophomore quarterback Michael Vander that I I don't believe was on the varsity until week seven, but making some big plays. I think there's a big play by Isaiah Brown as well. I mean, you know, what do you think about that one?

it's whatever, you know helps us win. And it turns out in that game, Michael Vander ended up being, you know, one of the main reasons why they won, if not the only reason that they won. But you know, he's just kind of or I also talked to him about, you know, when did he start working with the senior team, When did or with the varsity team, When did he start getting in that stuff? And apparently this has been

you know, in practice since six or seven weeks ago. Like, you know, the big thing for them is they wanted to make sure that they had a quality backup behind Body Anderson just in case something happened. And in week nine against glen Bard North, you know, he kind of got his opportunity to you know, show what he can do in a live game against or against glen Bard North. And apparently what they saw they really liked because they

kept them on the squad. And you know, it's just kind of worked in their favor and it's become, you know, a right timing thing where you know, Michael Vanders performing at his best body Anderson provides another aspect to the quarterback game. You mentioned Isaiah Brown, that fake punt that he did for the seventy one yard touchdown. I mean,

things were just working in their favor. And after, you know, being down twenty one to nothing heading into that second quarter, they realized they needed to make a change, so they leaned to the sophomore quarterback who went on to throw for two hundred and sixty yards in three touchdowns of the game, including the game winner to Brett Bergran, who

was the surprise last year for Batavia. And you know, it's just another uh, it's just another time, you know, over these past three years where Batavia has thrown somebody into a position on offense and it's worked in their favor.

return for a touchdown. And then if I'm not mistaken, I think they they went for an on site kick, they recovered it, they were able to score, and then they kind of went from there and of course another huge game for Tony Jahano, their quarterback.

went a long way. But yeah, no, I mean it was just, you know, it seemed like that, you know, them Taylor and then the on site kick recovery just kind of swung the pendulum or the pendulum in their favor because after that, you know, they got the lead with Michael Romroro, who had a fantastic game and I think he had one hundred and fifty rushing yards and two touchdowns. He got into the end zone, gave him the lead, and that was something that they didn't they

never gave up. So but I think the big thing is, you know, it showed just how good Geneva's special teams has been this year more than anything. I mean, you know, earlier in the year, we talked about Bena Conky having two return touchdowns earlier in the year obviously because they didn't want to kick it to talent Taylor. And then you know, one of the few times that they have kicked it to talent Taylor, he scored two kickoff return touchdowns as well, not ONLLY last week, but against St.

Charles East as well. They've had multiple recoveries of kickoffs, you know, either on side or when teams messed up on you know, just the regular kickoffs, and you know, it's really worked in their favor for them. So, you know, it's just another aspect of their game where they where they've excelled this season, and it's part it's one of the main reasons why they're at the point that they're at right now.

use more than just the flashy plays. I mean, they their first scoring drive took thirteen plays and six minutes off the clock, and you know, it showed that they can they can grind it out, they can grind out on offence and you know, waste time of the clock,

especially in those like later stages of the game. So I think it showed the versatility of Mount Carmel this season, even though you know, they may not look as strong as they have in the past, there's still the same Mount Carmel that we've seen, you know, over the past couple of years. And you know, once again, Saint Charles North had a great year, but Mount Carmel was just pretty much unstoppable. Besides that first drive.

League teams with good wins. Montini I mentioned, you know, Nazareth kind of rolled over Woodstock North, Saint Francis is able to get a good win over prayer Ridge and also the West Suburban Silver I mean they go they go three and oh last weekend with with Downers Grow North getting a close win over Fenwick, York getting a really impressive winover are previously unbeat team a sweg last night and a Lion's Township just rolled over Downers Go South.

You know, I'll start with that Downers Go North game. That's the game that, to be honest with you, was a little bit closer than I expected that Downerds Go North would be able to put a few more points on the board than they did. But the game came down to a game when you field goal day and they win thirteen to ten, So a really tough, you know, low scoring win for them. And then York a game that I was out on Friday night. Man, their quarterback

Bruno Masso really impressive. I mean he's a kid that he's three time state qualifier, qualifying to four x one runs a four point four three forty not the biggest get in the world, but man, when when the plays break down, he could just take off and he can fly. I mean he ran for three touchdowns one hundred and seventy seven yards. They actually had three different running backs that went over one hundred yards, which that's pretty impressive

against a good defense like Oswego to do something like that. So, you know, York a program that they've been to the semifinals last two years, they have a couple of losses during the regular season, so it's kind of starting to maybe wonder if you know, maybe they could get it going in the playoffs. They've answered the bell. I mean, they got a they get they really were, had a very good win over Edwardsville in round one, and then they're able to get another good win over Oswego last week.

So you know, feeling really good about York. Uh and then of course Lions Township. The story of that game, Travis stam My goodness, uh, kid, thing's going to Illinois State. I believe he had like three touchdown catches, three interceptions, a pick six. I mean, the kid just does everything for that team. Hey, football fans, listen up. I'm top Fare and I drive a Hawk.

That's a pretty big storyline. But I think the biggest one was kind of is kind of York because obviously you mentioned their two losses earlier in the season, and both of them have come against you know, Downalds Grove North and Lions so and both of them have proven, hey, we're pretty good teams. But you know, York space back to back teams who have had, you know, pretty stifling defense.

Because obviously you have Edwardsville, who had one of the best you know, defensive kids in the States, and then you've also had Oswego, who you know, was really known for their defense throughout the season. But I think the big downfall for Oswego was not having Carson Coony out there, you know, playing alongside them, and I think they missed them dearly. As you know, York was kind of running

all over them. But you know, not to take away from York, they have played extremely well throughout these playoffs and they've shown that that Suburb that or that battle for that West Suburban Conference title was really good this year.

that way. Regardless of who's playing or who's not playing, you're doing something good. So, you know, a great win for York, a great weekend for the West Suburban Silver. What sets up another very good weekend of football got to start with that Downers going North Batavia game. I Mean, that's a game that ever since the brackets came out, I've kind of like looked at him like, yeah, that's one that I kind of like, And I tell you what,

Batavia's going to be feeling a little bit. You know, they're kind of feeling a little bit good about themselves right now, Like, Hey, you know, we we saw the end of our season right in front of us, being down twenty one to nothing, and we came from behind and we showed a few things and maybe we didn't do during the season, you know, like you know, some big passing plays and things like that. They're gonna be

feeling pretty good. About that, and then again the game, they get the game at home too, which is not a small thing given away. Batavia comes out for their their team.

it's high school football. Some players have good games, some players have bad games, and you know that pendulum can swing either way anytime throughout the game. And so you know it's really going to be who's going to have the better game. If both of them are on that game, that makes it even better for Batavia. But if they aren't, you know, you've got you've got options behind that, and you know it's going to be a really interesting game.

I'm really interested to see how Downer Scrip North kind of prepares for not just Body Anderson, but also Michael Vander as well. And you know, on the other side, you know, they've got a face off against the Batavia defense, and you know, they didn't start out as well as you know they have in the past. They only gave up fifty yards total to Lincoln Way West to end that or to end or in that entire second half.

So that was part of the main reason that they also were able to come back against Lincoln Way West. And you know, they proved time and time to get how good of the defense they are this year and against the team like downs grow up North, who's got of course obviously Owen Lance, you know, leading the way. It's gonna be really interesting to see how these two teams match up. And you know, a game that could very easily be you know in the semifinals.

that team. I mean, they're only loss that was a game that they they led Lions quite handily and own Lands, who got hurt in the second quarter didn't play the rest of the game. Not to take anything away from Lions, but it shows you how good the Diamonds Go North is. That's their one loss is when their best player didn't play for half the game. So you know what we'll see. It's it's a matchup, it's a great matchup. It's one

of the best matches for the weekend. Again, it's a semifinal, maybe a championship game, quality tape game, and it's in a quarterfinal.

unbeaten Sycamore team. Man, those are some fun matches between Catholic League against interstate A conference.

led up twenty eight points. So you know, it's a battle of two extremes in the quarter final rounds and it's gonna be really interesting to see which extreme ends up on top of this time around. And you know, it's gonna be really interesting to see. And then on the other side, Rochelle and Nazareth. Obviously, Nazareth has been really good all season, you know, bringing Palmer or not Bretty Palmer, that's Saint Francis. I forget Peter Malichuk, right, Yeah, Okay,

there we go. That shows how much knowledge I have still, but you know, he's been balling out all season long for Nazareth. And meanwhile, Rochelle's I believe, the only team in the entire playoffs to have beaten two CCL e SEC teams. It's in the playoffs. So you know, both of them are on you know, hot speaks once again, and you know it's going to be a battle between which offense is best because I'm pretty sure Rochelle has

a really potent rushing attack. You know, I think they have multiple rushers that have over I want to say, over six seven hundred yards this year. So you know, it's going to be really interesting to see, you know, which offensive scheme comes out on top.

at what they can do. On the same token, I mean, Sycamore has had a great year, but I'm curious to see how they do against Saint Francis because Sycamore has really not been tested in the first and rounds of the playoffs. They've played some, you know, not great teams the first couple of rounds, so instant to see how they do now that the that the level of play you know, steps up considerably, how they handle Saint Francis.

with Travis stam receiving, Danny Carroll the running back. April Central, you know, just quietly kept chugging along during the season. They have a tremendous defense. Their only loss was the Lincoln we East, which you know, no shame on that, so, uh, you know, just kind of curious to see how this game is going to transpire. I think it's a game that has a chance to be a good, low scoring, defensive type game. I know April Central's got a really

good defense. I know Lions Township does as well, so you know, that's that's gonna be a fun one. And then on the other side, I mean, you're coming off of that game where they had three one hundred yard rushers they got to be bringing a ton of conference in that game. But on the other side, Warren, they got the running back. Aaron Stewart is a really great elite wrestler. It seems like every week Aaron Stewart's like, yeah, you know, three hundred yards, four hundred yards, two hundred

and seventy nine yards. So that, yeah, that that That's another one that I'm kind of keeping my eye on. Gonna be an interesting game, a game that could go both ways, both of those.

challenge on defense this time around as well. So you know, I'm really interested to see how both of these teams, you know, match up in a game of you know, pretty much to two pretty elite teams heading into the quarterfinals. And then obviously you've got York and Warren again as well. You know, we talked about York and we've talked about how Hoteon their offense was, you know, throughout these posts

or throughout this postseason. But Warren's gonna provide, you know, a good challenge that they limited Barrington last or last week in their win, and you know, a couple of people were talking about how, you know, Barrington may be a sleeper pick to be a state champion this year, and you know, Warren all that and was like, we're

gonna throw those in the trash. So, you know, it's gonna be really interesting to see if they can do this again against really another really potent offense in York, and it's gonna be a good matchup.

you make about that one. I mean, Geneva obviously wants to keep it rolling.

Charlie Marquee and running back Bartie Hippel. They moved them on to defense for the first time this is entire season. Yeah, and Charlie Marquee had a pick six in that game, he had two interceptions, and you know, it seemed to work to the or to their advantage, and I wouldn't be surprised if they do it again against this Gadeva team.

I mean, obviously, you've got talent Taylor to look forward to, and if you match him up against you know, the top wide receiver who also played cornerback, you know, talent Taylor is also shown he's played cornerback this year, so I wouldn't be surprised if there's an entire game where talent Taylor is basically off against Charlie Marquee and it's going to be a battle between who could get the advantage. So you know, it's gonna be really interesting to see

how these two teams match up. Obviously, Lake Forest is, you know, on a high, Gaeva is also on a high, and it's going to be a matchup of you know who onted more at the end.

couple of touchdowns last year. You know, they're going on the road, not easy, but again, they kind of bring in a nice head of steam going into that game after being a byron last week. So you know, we'll see how that transpires. A lot of good football, a lot of good stuff coming on Friday Night Drive. We'll be covering Friday games, Saturday games have previews going on. Should be a really fun weekend. Any party thoughts before we get out of here.