The teams are seeded from first through thirty-second based on records and opponent wins. The main reason that there is a north and south half in the smaller classes is to avoid teams having to travel from opposite ends of the state to meet each other. As most large schools are in the northern half of the state, it makes more sense to have the two largest classes seeded without schools’ geographical locations in mind. Each class bracket has thirty-two teams and while classes 1A-6A are divided into a north and south half, 7A and 8A are not. And although only eight teams will be crowned State Champion, every playoff team will have fans rooting for it and general excitement around the school in the week leading up to each round of playoffs.įootball is the most popular high school sport in the state, and the largest one with eight classes. The excitement of a playoff that is win or go home every week is undeniable, and the nature of the playoffs means two-hundred and fifty-six teams across the state will have the shot at a state title, with a Week 10 playoff game. That will be our main focus is how physical we can be against a big, strong team.The most popular state tournament in Illinois high school sports is back after a two-year wait. ""I think we are playing a real physical type of football right now with our team. "I think it will be a great test for us," DeBoeuf said. The Mustangs' defense is led by 7A all-stater Djabril McNabb. The Mustangs also have Ohio-State commit Kaleb Brown at running back along with sophomores Ethan Middleton and DJ Stewart. Rita is led by quarterback Tommy Ulatowski, the CCL/ESCC Green Division offensive player of the year, who threw for 4 touchdowns last week and ran for another. The Mustangs are averaging 35 points per game in the playoffs, including an opening-round 42-7 win over Rolling Meadows. The Knights will need that kind of effort against Catholic League power St. The buy-in on the defensive side of the ball has been huge." The players have big-time ownership on how they play and how tough they play. "Brock Collins and his staff have done a phenomenal job of getting those guys ready to play. "We have some really special athletes and players on that side of the ball," DeBoeuf said. Led by Jacob Grzesiak, Ben Sahakian, Nick Grassano, Charlie Carroll, John Gavin, Peyton Burgh, Gino Paredes, Ethan Rossi, Christopher Rodriguez, Jack Olson and Richard Sepulveda, Prospect and Walter has forced 6 turnovers in the last two games. It really will come down to the Knights' defense which has been superb all season and has even stepped it up a notch in the playoffs. "The kids have done a great job with it." "We have had a blast with it," DeBoeuf said. Walter had terrific help from an offensive line that is anchored by Sam Tsagalis, who just received an offer from the University of Illinois. If not, it will be Owen Walter, literally the team's fifth-string quarterback, who was uncanny running the Wildcat last week in the Knights' win over Jacobs. Starter Frank Covey, who was injured four weeks ago, could be ready to go. We are making it work."ĭeBoeuf and the Prospect coaching staff have done a masterful job of preparing their team, especially with all the injuries at the quarterback spot. "I got a lot of film work in the last two days. "It has been a fun 48 hours," DeBoeuf said. The head coach then juggled a newborn with preparation for one of the best teams in 7A. Next, his wife Kelly gave birth on Monday to a healthy boy named Trey. Outlook: It has been a wild week for Prospect coach Dan DeBoeuf.įirst, his team qualified for the state semifinals last Saturday for the first time since 2006. 4 Wheaton North for the 7A state championship Nov. Rita beat Hononegah 36-16Īdvancement: Winner plays the winner of No. Last Week: Prospect beat Jacobs 35-21, St.
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