Going the
DISTANCE 2015 IHSA FOOTBALL STATE CHAMPIONSHIP WEEKEND IN DeKALB
DAILY CH RON ICLE
|
T HURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2015
|
DAILY-CHRO NIC L E .CO M
Daily Chronicle / Daily-Chronicle.com • Thursday, November 26, 2015
| IHSA FOOTBALL
2
WELCOME
Volunteers work to make games a reality DeKalb County, let’s get ready for some football! The IHSA Football State Championships take place on Friday and Saturday on beautiful Brigham Field at Huskie Stadium. I cannot believe it’s already been two years since we last hosted the event. As community chair for the championships, I am excited to welcome the fans and teams to our beautiful county. We are eager to showcase our DeKalb County hospitality, Northern Illinois University, our restaurants, shops and services to the 30,000-plus visitors who are expected at these games. On behalf of IHSA Destination DeKalb, we wish to congratulate the 16 teams, their coaches and fans who have earned their spot in the championships. This event marks the culmination of a long journey, where countless hours were spent honing their skills and playing hard-fought games to bring them to this incredible weekend. Each team and
GUEST VIEW Wendy West-Krauch their communities should be proud of their accomplishments this season, for it is not an easy path to get to this elite level of football. We are entering our second of five years hosting the championships, and positive results for the area will be significant, as the last games provided an additional $1 million in economic impact. This is an outstanding opportunity to showcase DeKalb County as a great tourist destination. The event’s central location on the NIU campus will also give those attending a wonderful chance to see the expansive campus community. This event could not take place without our sponsors, whose donations are used to cover the operating costs of the
holding the state championships. A sincere thank you for their generosity and contributions, without which the event would not take place. We encourage you to patronize their establishments as a thank-you for their assistance. You can see a listing of our sponsors and other detailed information on our website, www.ihsadestinationdekalb. com. I would like to thank everyone who has put in countless hours of hard work to host these games. The staff at Northern Illinois University, the IHSA Destination DeKalb host committee and the DeKalb County Convention and Visitors Bureau have all worked together to ensure a top-notch experience for the student athletes and their schools. Kudos on the tremendous collaboration and between NIU and the community for the initial bid for these games and for continuing that team effort into this year’s competition.
Event organizers work to prepare Huskie stadium for IHSA weekend Change to wide goal posts is largest task, officials say By BRITTANY KEEPERMAN bkeeperman@shawmedia.com DeKALB – The changing of the goal posts is probably the largest task that faced event organizers as they prepared to convert Huskie Stadium from a college to a high-school football field after the Huskies’ Tuesday night game against Ohio. That made Wednesday critical for the IHSA Destination DeKalb Committee, which had work to do in the conversion before the high school football games on Friday and Saturday. “High schools have wide goal posts, so we have to change those out,” said Sue Hansfield, Assistant Athletic Director of Facilities and Event Operations “In 2013, that took most of the day. Now we’ve done it once, hopefully we’ll be more efficient in changing it out.” Aesthetic changes to the stadium also need to take place before the big weekend. There are IHSA flags to raise and some Huskie logos to remove. “We have to make little modifications,” Hansfield said. “But everything has to tie in with the NIU game.” DeKalb will host the tournament during odd-number years through 2021.
This is the second year that IHSA has come to DeKalb, which should make preparing the stadium go a bit smoother, Hansfield said. The crowds for the event build gradually, Hansfield said. The earliest games are played between Illinois’ smallest high schools, but as Friday wears on, the schools’ enrollments grow larger and so do the crowds. “Starting at 4 p.m. Friday, more people start coming and the schools are bigger,” she said. “So, this time we’ll send the majority up the ramps to their seats because the North and South lobby is where it gets condensed.” No changes will be made to the Kenneth and Ellen Chessick Practice Center, aside from closing the Barsema Hall of Champions when the visiting teams use the practice center to warm up. All the work directly related to readying the 24,000-seat stadium will be completed by NIU facilities staf,f but it’s the volunteers who really make IHSA weekend work, Hansfield said. “This takes quite a few people to pull off,” she said. “This is why volunteers are so crucial. … This is outstanding for the university, DeKalb and DeKalb County. It’s a great way to show off everything. This isn’t just NIU. We have to have that assistance from the community and community members as well.”
A sincere thank you also to all of our volunteers, without whom this event would not be possible. It is because of their efforts that this weekend was a tremendous success in 2013 and I know the same warm welcome will be given to all of those attending the two-day event this year. We appreciate their donation of their time to showcase all of the great things DeKalb County has to offer. I am looking forward to two action-packed days of football! You can feel the buzz of excitement in the air as these student athletes compete to be No. 1 in the state, and I encourage all of you join in on the fun and show off our famous DeKalb County ‘communiversity’ hospitality.
• Wendy West-Krauch is chairwoman of the IHSA Destination DeKalb Committee and a partner at SiepertWest Financial Consulting in Sycamore.
Football game & television Schedule CLASS 1A Stark County Rebels (13-0) vs. Arcola Purple Raiders (13-0) Game time: 10 a.m. Friday TV: Comcast SportsNet
CLASS 5A Nazareth Academy Roadrunners (11-2) vs. Lincoln-Way West Warriors (11-2) Game time: 10 a.m. Saturday TV: CSN
CLASS 2A Downs Tri-Valley Vikings (13-0) vs. Auburn Trojans (10-3) Game time: 1 p.m. Friday TV: CSN
CLASS 6A Montini Broncos (13-0) vs. CreteMonee Warriors (11-2) Game time: 1 p.m. Saturday TV: CSN
CLASS 3A McNamara Fightin’ Irish (12-1) vs. Tolono Unity Rockets (12-1) Game time: 4 p.m. Friday TV: CSN+
CLASS 7A Glenbard West Hilltoppers (13-0) vs. Libertyville Wildcats (13-0) Game time: 4 p.m. Saturday TV: CSN
CLASS 4A Phillips Wildcats (13-0) vs. Althoff Catholic Crusaders (13-0) Game time: 7 p.m. Friday TV: CSN+
CLASS 8A Loyola Academy Ramblers (13-0) vs. Chicago Marist RedHawks (9-4) Game time: 7 p.m. Saturday TV: CSN
Inside this section What’s new ...................... 4 Volunteers ........................ 6 Business boom ................. 6 Stadium prep .................... 7 Profile: Brad Hoey ............ 9 Destination DeKalb ... 10-11 Foes to teammates .......... 12 NIU coach Rod Carey ........ 14 Capsule: Class 1A .............. 16 Capsule: Class 2A ............. 16 Capsule: Class 3A ............. 17 Capsule: Class 4A ............. 17 Capsule: Class 5A ............. 18 Capsule: Class 6A ............. 18 Capsule: Class 7A ............. 19 Capsule: Class 8A ............. 19
Contributors This section was produced by editors Eric Olson, Brett Rowland, Eddie Carifio, Jason Bauman and R. Scott Helmchen; reporters Rhonda Gillespie, Katie Smith, Jesse Severson, Brittany Keeperman, correspondent Lindsey Clark; photographers Danielle Guerra, Monica Synett, H. Rick Bamman and designers Dan Pearce, Sandra Rodriguez, Caleb West and James Wilson.
3 IHSA FOOTBALL | Daily Chronicle / Daily-Chronicle.com • Thursday, November 26, 2015
Your Future, Our Focus. It’s taken a lot of hard work and determination to get to the state championships. It will take the same to be successful in college. NIU students work hard to achieve their dreams, and we’re here to help them every step of the way. We offer a world-class education utilizing large university resources, while maintaining a small college culture. Apply today to be part of our team!
go.niu.edu/ihsa
SCAN THIS PAGE WITH THE FREE LAYAR APP FOR A MESSAGE FROM NIU
WHAT’S NEW Debbie Armstrong (center), executive director of the DeKalb County Convention & Visitors Bureau, and Brad Hoey, director of communications at Northern Illinois University finish hanging a sign near Lincoln Highway and First Street in DeKalb on Nov. 19. Danielle Guerra – dguerra@shawmedia.com
Daily Chronicle / Daily-Chronicle.com • Thursday, November 26, 2015
| IHSA FOOTBALL
4
LESSONS LEARNED
After 2013, DeKalb host committee has better idea on moving crowds, teams By RHONDA GILLESPIE rgillespie@shawmedia.com DeKALB -- This year marks the second time DeKalb and Northern Illinois University have partnered to host the IHSA championships. And organizers said they learned lessons in 2013 that have led to changes in 2015. Wendy West-Krauch said leaders of the host committee, composed of the IHSA Destination DeKalb Committee, the DeKalb County Convention and Visitors Bureau and Northern Illinois University, listened to the volunteers and ambassadors who participated two years ago to raise the bar on the experience this year. “They had some really good feedback,” said West-Krauch, this year’s community chairwoman for IHSA Destination DeKalb. NIU’s Huskie Stadium will be the site of title games in odd-numbered years at least through 2021, with the games being held in even years at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Cham-
“It’s an experience that’s going to last a lifetime, and a memory that’s going to last a lifetime. So we want to make sure that experience is cherished.” Brad Hoey Spokesman for the IHSA championships host committee and Northern Illinois University
paign through 2022. The change was necessitated by a Big Ten Conference scheduling change that has put Illinois’ annual matchup with in-state rival Northwestern at Champaign’s Memorial Stadium on the same weekend as the high school football championships. With Champaign’s loss DeKalb’s gain, 16 teams will face off in eight classes Friday and Saturday for the right to be called state champions. In 2013, the games drew record
crowds to DeKalb, with more than 30,000 tickets sold to the two games. That created some crowd management issues, particularly with getting fans out of the stands after their respective teams had played in time to make way for the incoming fans for the next game. This year, West-Krauch said organizers have worked on logistics for moving the crowds out and in more smoothly. “We just had no idea” last time, she said. Things got a bit hairy for players and coaches, too, she said. In 2013, Stillman Valley needed overtime to defeat St. Joseph-Ogden, 43-41, in the Class 3A title game, but the overtime period kept Rochester and Geneseo, the Class 4A teams, from getting into the locker room and onto the field to play. This year, organizers have reserved space in the stands for teams to watch as they wait their turn on the gridiron. West-Krauch said all of the estimated 30,000 fans expected in or around Huskie Stadium during the two-day
event will see more clearly marked signage directing them to concessions, seating areas, and locker rooms. The signs also should improve traffic flow, she said. The host committee bills this event not only as an opportunity for high school teams, but also as a chance to showcase DeKalb and surrounding communities and amenities. It also can be a helpful recruitment event for NIU to draw prospective students and student-athletes. “It’s an experience that’s going to last a lifetime, and a memory that’s going to last a lifetime. So we want to make sure that experience is cherished,” said Brad Hoey, a spokesman for the host committee and NIU. “That [athletes’] recollection of coming to Northern Illinois University and playing in Huskie Stadium, [visitors] coming to DeKalb County is a very fond memory. “And hopefully, some of these youngsters that are coming here will make DeKalb and NIU their home for four to five years -- and even longer.”
5
IHSA FOOTBALL | Daily Chronicle / Daily-Chronicle.com • Thursday, November 26, 2015
adno=0351901
Daily Chronicle / Daily-Chronicle.com • Thursday, November 26, 2015
| IHSA FOOTBALL
6
Monica Synett – msynett@shawmedia.com
Ed Borowiak (right), event staff supervisor, teaches IHSA volunteer Ron Naylor (center) how to usher fans to their seats Nov.18 at Huskie Stadium.
Volunteers gear up for IHSA title games By KATIE SMITH ksmith@shawmedia.com DeKALB – As high school football fans statewide gear up for the weekend’s Illinois High School Association football championship games, the community’s volunteers have been doing some preparation of their own to help DeKalb leave a good impression. More than 125 volunteers have trained to help host the tournament, which is expected to draw more than 30,000 people to DeKalb, DeKalb IHSA Community Chairwoman Wendy West-Krauch said. “We’re very, very lucky to have all these volunteers to welcome everyone to the community,” she said. Volunteers will be taking tickets, ushering fans, directing parking and
“We’re very, very lucky to have all these volunteers to welcome everyone to the community.” Wendy West-Krauch DeKalb IHSA community chairwoman manning the spirit zones. With so much excitement packed into only two days, it’s no wonder so many people would want to volunteer, WestKrauch said. “I think really, primarily it’s the love of football,” she said. “But also, this is a huge event fro the community and I think there’s a lot of people who would really want to showcase our pride as well as take place in an event that’s only every other year for us.” Mike Gegner, an IHSA ambassador and former Northern Illinois Uni-
versity football player, knows how much the tournament means to high school athletes. “My senior year we won the state championship in a double-overtime thriller. I know what the guys will be experiencing, what they’ll be feeling,” Gegner said. “That’s another reason why it will be nice to give back. It’s a great opportunity if you are a football fan.” Aside from Stacey Canova’s job at the DeKalb County Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, it’s a love for football that encouraged her to volunteer
in the spirit zone, despite weather that could include snow. “I’m looking forward to the fans,” Canova said. “I think they’re always really fun. I love seeing that aspect of people, being excited for their friends and their family. The tailgating atmosphere is always so much fun.” If the volunteers make a good enough impression on tourists, the tournament could attract future NIU students and DeKalb residents, WestKrauch said. “Just to see the looks on the students faces and just the vibe in the air and being in the state championship for football – it’s almost like you can’t even describe it,” she said. “ . . . I’m really hoping that it’s a good recruiting tool for NIU whether it be students who are watching the game or student athletes playing football.”
Crowds in 2013 provided estimated $1 million economic boost “It’s a remarkable event for the community, it benefits everyone from hotels to restaurants to gas stations. The sales double, bar and wine profits double. We’re looking forward to it. It’s exciting and a wonderful contribution to the community.”
By LINDSEY CLARK news@daily-chronicle.com
Mel Witmer O’Leary’s owner
Danielle Guerra – dguerra@shawmedia.com
Fatty’s server Julia Seyller brings food out of the kitchen during the lunch rush Nov. 20 in DeKalb. DeKalb County businesses are ready for the influx of visitors with the IHSA State Football Championships on Friday and Saturday. “A lot of those [IHSA] teams come out on Thursday night and have no options of where to go since most places are closed,” Dobie explained. “It’s Friday and Saturday all in one day; the two busiest days of the week crammed into one 12 hour window,” he said. “It’s fast paced and it’s traditionally a slow weekend. Any opportunity you have for more business, you go for it.” O’Leary’s Irish Pub and Grille in downtown DeKalb, another popular spot for many visitors in 2013, will open at 10:30 a.m. on Friday and Saturday this year, with the banquet room open and coupons available to customers.
“We had a fabulous response in 2013 and will be doubling our staff this year,” O’Leary’s owner Mel Witmer said. “When you have a little history behind you, it gets easier,” he said, adding that O’Leary’s will have double the amount of food available from 2013. The event was publicized throughout the state through print, TV and radio mediums at a worth of about $200,000. 14 private caterings were booked for the weekend and gas stations saw an increase in sales compared to Thanksgiving weekend the year before. With the great success 2013 brought, businesses are hopeful for a similar
turnout this fall and are prepared for what to expect. “It’s one of the top 10 days of the year,” Dobie said. “It pays the bills. It’d be great if it was every year.” The games also raise the profile of DeKalb County and NIU statewide, with publicity on TV, radio and in print. Recruiting in NIU Huskie football also increased and more inquiries were made about NIU through hosting the games in 2013. “It’s a great thing for DeKalb; it showcases the university to possible students and gives them the chance to see the university first hand,” Dobie said. DeKalb also received positive feedback from IHSA officials and fans. “It’s a remarkable event for the community, it benefits everyone from hotels to restaurants to gas stations,” Witmer said. “The sales double, bar and wine profits double. We’re looking forward to it. It’s exciting and a wonderful contribution to the community.”
OPEN GAME DAYS AT 11AM • Pizza • Pasta • Chops • Chicken DINE IN / CARRY OUT / DELIVERY
824 W LINCOLN HWY DEKALB - WE DELIVER -
758-8116 Private Banquet Facilities For Up To 80 Large Groups Are Our Specialty! WWW.PIZZAVILLA.COM adno=0351910
• Thursday, November 26, 2015
DeKALB – Local tourism experts estimate that the local economy saw a $1 million boost when DeKalb played host to the IHSA football games for the first time in the fall of 2013, with a record-setting 30,000-plus tickets sold for the event. The games are back on Friday, and area businesses will be open and ready for round two. If the game “It depends on what teams end up in the finals, but we’re hoping to do the same or better in economic terms,” Armstrong said. “We’ve got high hopes for more people and more dollars for the local economy.” “We’re hoping for another good attendance this year; we’re hoping to break that and go above that number,” DeKalb County Convention and Visitors Bureau executive director Debbie Armstrong said. The weekend after Thanksgiving typically is a slow one for local hotels, but the football games changed that in 2013, when visitors booked 475 hotel rooms in the DeKalb area. Additionally, restaurants near Northern Illinois University’s Huskie Stadium, including Jeff Dobie’s Fatty’s Pub and Grille, were estimated to have experienced as much as a 50 percent surge in profits. “IHSA is really well organized and runs smoothly; there’s plenty of help and volunteers,” Dobie said. “If you like high school athletics in general or are a football junkie, what else could you ask for?” Fatty’s will be open on Thanksgiving Day and will have catering and a banquet facility available through the weekend. The restaurant is also serving as an IHSA Red Zone sponsor this year.
IHSA FOOTBALL | Daily Chronicle / Daily-Chronicle.com
Local stores ready for fans’ return
7
Daily Chronicle / Daily-Chronicle.com • Thursday, November 26, 2015
| IHSA FOOTBALL
8 You already have the playbook for your future:
DON’T SCRAMBLE, STAY IN THE POCKET, GO LONG AND HEAD FOR THE GOAL LINE. At Kishwaukee College, you have everything you need to win!
www.kishwaukeecollege.edu adno=0352705
9 IHSA FOOTBALL | Daily Chronicle / Daily-Chronicle.com • Thursday, November 26, 2015 Monica Synett – msynett@shawmedia.com
Director of Communications for Northern Illinois University Brad Hoey serves as a spokesman for the Illinois High School Association football championship tournament that DeKalb and NIU host biennially.
Hoey excited about upcoming IHSA tournament By RHONDA GILLESPIE rgillespie@shawmedia.com DeKALB – Sports and media have been an integral part of Brad Hoey’s life. As a youth in Rockton, he walked football sidelines with his father who was the Honoegah Community High School football coach. Hoey went on to play football and basketball and run track in high school, and later establish a career in media after majoring in radio, TV and film at Northern Illinois University. At one point, he covered high school and professional sports, even hosting for 20 seasons a sports TV feature show. Hoey, now the director of campus communications at NIU, has melded his two passions by serving as a spokesman for the IHSA Destination DeKalb
Committtee, the host organization for the Illinois High School Association football championship tournament that DeKalb and NIU host biennially.
football championships. At that time, I worked in our Media Services – which is now Creative Services unit -- for the university. It was a partnership with the university and, really, the [DeKalb] Rhonda Gillespie: How long have you Chamber of Commerce – before the been with NIU? DeKalb County Convention and VisBrad Hoey: Twenty-five years. i came itors Bureau existed. I helped to put here in 1990. I’m an alum. I left and together a promotional video, worked worked in the private sector for five a little bit on some of the editorial conyears. My background is broadcast- tent for the bid. ing and news, I was a news reporter. I started my career at WRHL (radio) in Gillespie: What does it take to put this Rochelle, and then moved on. I worked event on every two years? at WIFR (TV) in Rockford. Hoey: It really takes support of the entire community. In anything that Gillespie: How did you get involved we do, we are stronger together. The with hosting the IHSA championship fact that we have great partners in the games? university, the City of DeKalb, DeKalb Hoey: It actually goes back 11 years County Convention and Visitors Buor so, when we first a bid for the IHSA reau, our sponsors and our volunteers.
It takes people and dedication.
Gillespie: What are some of the challenges of hosting the tournament? Hoey: It takes a lot of work, it takes a
lot of community involvement. We are one of the smaller communities that has bid on it, or is hosting the state championship. We make up for our lack of size and population with a hardworking can-do spirit. We’ve set the bar pretty high for ourselves. So now, the expectations are [that] we’re going to hit it out of the park every year. I think we will. But, that’s one of the biggest challenges, to be able to provide a first class experience for everybody that comes into our community, that comes to these games – regardless to the weather, regardless of the outcome of the team.
T O
K N O W
D E K A L B
11
C O R N
T
he famous DeKalb brand flying corn logo is known around the world. The history of hybrid corn seed goes back to a group rovided Photo p of farmers, bankers and county officials who formed the DeKalb County Soil Improvement Association in 1912. This group, pushing for higher yields and better farming, led to the creation of the DeKalb County Agricultural Association and, eventually, the DeKalb hybrid corn seed. The seed was created in 1935 by the DeKalb County Agricultural Association following a dozen years of work. In 1936, the winged ear made its first appearance – as the first full-page color advertisement in any agricultural publication – telling farmers to “Let DeKalb Quality Hybrids be your mortgage lifter.” Creve Coeur, Missouri-based Monsanto Corp. bought the brand in 1998 and seed remains a popular product with the winged ear logo visible in fields around the globe.
DEKALB F
or the second time in its history, DeKalb is hosting the IHSA state football championships. But the city of 43,862 is much more than the place that brings in 16 teams to vie for a state championship every other year. From a supermodel to fried pizza dough to breakthroughs in ag-science, DeKalb has made its mark. Here are a few examples.
Shaw Media file photo
A new batch of beer nuggets are stirred after they puff to the surface at Pizza Villa kitchen in DeKalb.
B E E R
B
Photos by Monica Synett - synett@shawmedia.com
C I N D Y
B
C R A W F O R D
efore Cindy Crawford graced runways and magazines such as Cosmopolitan and Playboy, she toiled under the hot summer sun in DeKalb County cornfields. The DeKalb High School graduate (she was co-valedictorian in 1984) attended Northwestern University before pursuing a career in modeling. Roger Legel – a photographer who worked off and on at the Daily Chronicle in the 1970s and 1980s – helped launch Crawford’s career. The supermodel tries to make regular visits to town to catch up with friends.
S T A D I U M
T
he site of the IHSA state championship games for the second time, Huskie Stadium is celebrating its 50th anniversary. In honor of the event, the school named the 50 greatest players in the stadium’s history. The No. 1 player was quarterback Jordan Lynch, while running backs LeShon Johnson and Michael Turner were second and third.
B ABOVE: Cindy Crawford’s DeKalb High School yearbook picture: BELOW: The cover of Crawford’s new book.
eer nuggets are a DeKalb thing. In the mid 1980s, many local pizza places would deep fry scraps of leftover pizza dough and sell them as “nuggets.” There are competing claims, but much like barbed wire, the inventor of beer nuggets is a matter of some dispute.
H U S K I E
B A R B E D W I R E arbed wire was invented here and helped put the city on the map. The men who made a fortune from the invention – the barbed wire barons – were influential in bringing the Northern Illinois State Normal School, which eventually became Northern Illinois University, to the city.
N U G G E T S
Mary Beth Nolan - mnolan@shawmedia.com
Altgeld Hall on the Northern Illinois University campus.
N O R T H E R N
F
I L L I N O I S
U N I V E R S I T Y
ounded as Northern Illinois State Normal School on May 22, 1895, the school has a student body of about 20,000 and sits on 756 acres. Douglas Baker is the current president, appointed in 2013 as the 12th president in school history.
Shaw Media file photo
Northern Illinois University quarterback Jordan Lynch carries the ball 9 yards for a touchdown during the third quarter Sept. 29, 2012, at Huskie Stadium in DeKalb.
• Thursday, November 26, 2015
Daily Chronicle / Daily-Chronicle.com • Thursday, November 26, 2015
DESTINATION G E T
IHSA FOOTBALL | Daily Chronicle / Daily-Chronicle.com
| IHSA FOOTBALL
10
ONCE RIVALS, NOW TEAMMATES
Daily Chronicle / Daily-Chronicle.com • Thursday, November 26, 2015
| IHSA FOOTBALL
12
H. Rick Bamman – hbamman@shawmedia.com
Northern Illinois freshman wide receiver Spencer Tears (14) watches from the sideline with teammates as the Huskies play Western Michigan on Nov. 18 gane at Huskie Stadium n DeKalb. Tears’ Richards team lost to NIU defensive end Jake Hlava’s Batavia team in the IHSA Class 6A state title game on the same field in 2013.
Former foes in 2013 title game, Hlava, Tears now teammates at NIU By JESSE SEVERSON jseverson@shawmedia.com DeKALB – When Spencer Tears walks into Jake Hlava’s dorm room at Northern Illinois, he can’t help but see the state championship ring. Now teammates with the Huskies, the two players battled it out with their respective teams in the 2013 Class 6A state championship, with Hlava’s Batavia squad taking down Tears’ Richards team, 34-14, in the biggest game of the season and a battle between two teams nicknamed Bulldogs. “Every time I walk in his room and I just see the ring sitting there and his jersey hanging up on the wall, it’s like, ‘Man!’ There’s no comeback,” Tears said. “That’s my guy now, though.” With the feelings from the game that ended their junior seasons in 2013 now reconciled, the two have become
“Got to rub it in a little bit,” Hlava laughed about showing off the state championship ring. “When he’s in my room, I always have to show it off. I don’t wear it around because I don’t want to be stuck in the glory days. It’s time to win some (Mid-American Conference) championships.” For Hlava, the win over Richards in the state title game at Huskie Stadium was a little bit of payback. In the second game of the 2013 season, Richards pulled away in a game that was tied Jake Hlava at halftime with 18 unanswered points NIU defensive end in the third quarter and held on for a 31-26 victory. It was the only loss of the season for Batavia. “We sort of said it was destiny beteammates – both redshirting this sea- cause we thought we should have beat son as freshmen for the Huskies, Hla- them, of course,” said Hlava, who was va a defensive end and Tears a wide named the Kane County Chronicle Dereceiver. However, Hlava remains the fensive Player of the Year his senior one with the jewelry. season in 2014. “We said it was destiny
“Got to rub it in a little bit. When he’s in my room, I always have to show it off. I don’t wear it around because I don’t want to be stuck in the glory days. It’s time to win some MAC Championships.”
that we got a second chance at them, and it’s a state championship, so of course, it’s great.” Before the loss to Batavia in the state championship, Richards had only one defeat on the season – falling 35-34 to Evergreen Park midway through the year. However, both teams took care of their business in the state tournament heading into the title game. Each of them had blowout wins in the first two rounds before they had to narrowly edge out a victory in the quarterfinals – No. 2 Batavia beat No. 6 Lake Forest 19-14 and No. 1 Richards beat No. 2 Lincoln Way North 12-6. “As soon we saw Batavia on the other side of the bracket, we knew we could see them again,” Tears said. Both teams won their semifinals,
See FORMER FOES, page 13
IHSA FOOTBALL | Daily Chronicle / Daily-Chronicle.com
Tears, Hlava still remember their first trip to Huskie Stadium 13 • FORMER FOES
Continued from page 12
Sandy Bressner – sbressner@shawmedia.com
Batavia senior linebacker Jake Hlava (5) goes after a Streamwood offensive player during a recent game. I’ve never seen that many fans in the stands (in a game) before. You got alumni and everybody that the Bulldogs are in the state championship, you don’t want to let them down.” But the story the following year shows how rare an opportunity playing in these championship games can be. Despite being juniors in the game, neither Tears nor Hlava would return even to the state semifinals the following year. Richards lost to eventual runner-up Lemont, 19-13, in the Class 6A quarterfinals and Batavia was upset, 21-16, by Mt. Carmel in the first
round of the Class 7A tournament. “It felt like it ended too soon,” Hlava said. “It wasn’t supposed to happen like that.” As recruiting worked its way out, the two former opponents eventually became teammates. Hlava turned down a scholarship from Western Illinois (FCS) to be a preferred walk-on for the Huskies. Tears, who had around a dozen offers as a three-star recruit, stayed close to home and chose Northern Illinois. “It’s was a really difficult decision,” Hlava said. “My (high school) coach was like, ‘There’s money on the line,
you can always go to (Western).’ I just loved this program, so that’s why I came here.” As for Tears, fate – some may call it cruel fate – found himself back where he was in the loss to Batavia, using the same locker with the Huskies that he had before the 2013 state championship game. “I’m like, ‘Whoa. I’m sitting here my junior year and now I’m sitting here every day,’ ” Tears said. “Real painful, but you get over it. We’re older now. It still leaves a bad taste in your mouth, but it’s on to bigger and better things.”
Good luck to all the teams competing at the IHSA Football Championship!
800.990.5713 | Member FDIC
fnbil.com
• Thursday, November 26, 2015
with Batavia blowing out Rockford Boylan Catholic and Richards surviving against East St. Louis to set up the rematch. For both Tears and Hlava, the trip to Huskie Stadium was the first time they had played in facilities like Northern Illinois provided. “Especially walking into the locker room, it was like, ‘Whoa, this is how it is at the D-I level,’ “ Tears said. “Getting ready for the game in these big ol’ lockers, it’s like, ‘Oh, man.’ ” “It was like, ‘Wow, I’ve never seen facilities like this.’ It was pretty sweet,” Hlava said. “The first drive is really nervous. You have more adrenaline than you’ve ever had before. On the kickoff, I just shot down the field. It’s something you dreamed about as a kid, playing in the state championship.” Located just 32 miles from DeKalb, it became clear to everybody that Batavia had the home field advantage. “Considering how close they are to Northern, they literally brought the whole town to the game,” Tears said. “We were coming out like, ‘Oh, shoot.’ It was just fun. Never played in that kind of atmosphere. It was reported that year in state championships from 1A to 8A, that was the most packed for any game. I kid you not, they literally packed that (West) side of the stadium.” The Batavia fans were delighted that day, as their team won the first football state title in school history. “It was crazy. They shut down one whole street and had a block party and everything,” Hlava said of the celebration that followed. “Free food. It was amazing. We can have bragging rights. We were the first team to bring a state championship to Batavia (for football).
Daily Chronicle / Daily-Chronicle.com • Thursday, November 26, 2015
| IHSA FOOTBALL
14
Photos by H. Rick Bamman - hbamman@shawmedia.com
Northern Illinois head coach Rod Carey celebrates with players Nov. 18 after the Huskies beat Western Michigan, 27-19, in a Mid-American Conference West Division game.
Carey happy with having state title games at home By JESSE SEVERSON jseverson@shawmedia.com DeKALB – Northern Illinois football coach Rod Carey will have to watch the Illinois High School Association football championships through his window. Despite having all eight of the state’s high school championship games played on his home field, NCAA regulations will keep the Huskies’ head coach in his Yordon Center office while they are being played. “I don’t know the bylaw number, but you can’t go to a state tournament game as a college football coach,” Carey said. “I can’t go, but I do have an office with a window. There will prob-
ably be tents up, so I’ll see part of the game.” It’s the second time in Carey’s tenure that the IHSA has held all eight football state championship games at Huskie Stadium. Not only can Carey not attend, but neither can any other head coach or assistant coach. However, if the son of a coach is involved with the game, the NCAA allows that coach to attend. Northern Illinois defensive coordinator Jay Niemann’s son, Nick, was a standout for Sycamore and has verbally committed to Iowa – but the Spartans lost in the first round of the Class 5A tournament.
See CAREY, page 15
Northern Illinois coach Rod Carey questions a call in the first half against Western Michigan Nov. 18 in the Mid-American Conference West Division game.
• CAREY
Continued from page 14
Mary Beth Nolan - mnolan@shawmedia.com
Northern Illinois coach Rod Carey and cornerback Anthony Brooks take the field Oct. 10 before the Huskies game with Ball State. the Huskies. “Some of the best recruiting happens when I’m not around,” Carey said. “Our best recruiters when we have an official visit is our team and our guys, they’re way better recruiters than I am. “Put yourself in a parent or an 18or 19-year-old’s shoes, when you’re around a coach, there’s going to be some nervousness there. There’s some ‘I don’t really know this guy.’ “But when you’re out and about
on campus and just seeing it, you’re answering all the questions you have yourself, just feeling how it is, how the atmosphere is, what do you think of the place? All of those are being answered in the best way possible.” Heading into the Huskies game against Ohio in the regular season finale, Carey is 31-9 in three years as the head coach of the Huskies. Now the high school players on some of the top teams in the state will get to enjoy the luxuries of Huskie Stadium – playing
Stay Smart at the Holiday Inn Express Sycamore
Cozy Hampton Bed Friendly Service • Complimentary Hot Breakfast
815-748-4323
663 S. Annie Glidden Rd. • DeKalb, IL 60115 dekalbhamptoninn.com
adno=0351911
in front of a stadium with a capacity of 23,595, running on new FieldTurf that was installed this past summer and, yes, get a chance to use the Northern Illinois locker room. “I’m not real thrilled about that, I’ll be honest,” Carey laughed about the locker rooms. “But you know what, in the end, it’s not something to worry about a whole ton because I want those guys to come and have the best experience they can when they come here.”
Enjoy our complimentary Smart Start hot breakfast bar and wireless internet access. 1935 DeKalb Ave. • Sycamore IL 60178 adno=0351913
815-748-7400
• Thursday, November 26, 2015
The NCAA has different recruiting regulations for football than in basketball, which allows coaches to attend the state tournament games. However, Carey said that’s a good thing. “Basketball recruiting is a whole different animal than football recruiting, I can tell you that,” Carey said. “I don’t envy those basketball coaches at all with everything they have to deal with, so I give (Northern Illinois men’s basketball coach Mark Montgomery) and his staff a ton of credit for how they have to recruit, because I wouldn’t want to have to deal with that. “It’s so different that you have to have a different set of rules for it. As football coaches, we’re very protective of the high school coaching and playing experience. A lot of us were there. I coached in high school when I was done (with my playing days). I think this rule is more in place of that experience than anything else, so I’m extremely happy with that rule.” When Northern Illinois last hosted the IHSA state championships in 2013, only two players who competed in those games ended up Huskies. Jake Hlava, a defensive end for Class 6A champion Batavia, ended up joining at a preferred walk-on, and wide receiver Spencer Tears, who played for Class 6A runner-up Richards, also joined the Huskies. Both were juniors in 2013 and are redshirting their freshman seasons. While the players in the games are not allowed to be contacted by the coaches until after they’re released from the state tournament and leave the site – at which time normal NCAA regulations take effect – Carey said just having the games in DeKalb helps
15 IHSA FOOTBALL | Daily Chronicle / Daily-Chronicle.com
Recruiting regulations for football not same for basketball
CLASS 1A
| IHSA FOOTBALL
Stark County Rebels (13-0) vs. Arcola Purple Raiders (13-0)
Daily Chronicle / Daily-Chronicle.com • Thursday, November 26, 2015
16
City-Melvin-Sibley 14-13 and No. 9 LeRoy 42-0. STATE CHAMPIONSHIP APPEARANCGAME TIME: 10 a.m. Friday ES: Stark County has made two title COACHES: Jake Noard (101-28 in 11th games, losing in both 1997 and 2008. season with Stark County); Zach Zehr ... Arcola last made a state title game in (26-7 in third year with Purple Raiders) CONFERENCE: Stark County went 7-0 in 1995 and last won a title in 1988. In all, the Lincoln Trail Conference. Arcola was the Purple Raiders have six appearances 5-0 in the Little Okaw Valley Conference and three wins. KEEP AN EYE ON: Logan Knoblach has Northwest Division been a disruptive force for the Rebels HOW THEY GOT HERE: No. 1 Stark throughout the playoffs at wide receiver, County beat Tremont 28-7, Forreston having a big game against a tough Polo 42-16, Polo 35-17 and No. 2 Marquette 10-7. ... No. 3 Arcola beat Hardin-Calhoun team in the quarterfinals. ... Wyatt Fishel torched LeRoy in the semifinal for Arcola, 57-16, Salt Fork 47-14, No. 2 Gibson
amassing 341 yards and five touchdowns. FUN FACT: This game is the first of three state championships this year featuring two undefeated teams vying for a state title. The last time that happened was 2006, when four of the eight classes saw battles between undefeated teams for a state title. WHY YOU SHOULD WATCH: Most teams Class 4A and below play on six days rest in the state title game – but Stark County played Sunday thanks to the snow storms that made its field unplayable. The Rebels beat Marquette 10-7 in Dunlap, 20 miles south of Toulon,
where Stark County is located. While they held opponents to single digits for the ninth time this year, the 10 points they scored was the fewest by far this year. They scored 28 points in their first playoff win and 21 against Wethersfield in the regular season – every other game they scored at least 35. Arcola didn’t give up double digits this year until the playoffs. The Purple Raiders edged GCMS by one in the quarterfinals – their next closest game the 47-14 win to start the playoffs. Their closest regular season game was a pair of 42-0 wins and they have seven shutouts this year.
CLASS 2A Downs Tri-Valley Vikings (13-0) vs. Auburn Trojans (10-3)
Peyton Roop have led the charge on the ground for Tri-Valley so far this year, but Brock Danko and Jake Steiner stepped up GAME TIME: 1 p.m. Friday COACHES: Josh Roop (71-26, ninth year with 100-yard games in the semifinal. ... Ryan McLaughlin has handled the rushing with the Vikings); Dave Bates (230-96 in duties for Auburn so far this year. 31st year with Trojans) FUN FACT: When Bates started coaching CONFERENCE: Tri-Valley was 6-0 in the Heart of Illinois Conference. Auburn was at Auburn – which played its first game in 1911 according to IHSA archives – Tri-Val5-3 in the Sangamo Conference. ley was still 16 years away from opening. HOW THEY GOT HERE: No. 1 Downs WHY YOU SHOULD WATCH: The games topped West Carroll 22-0, Rockridge 41over the course of the weekend aren’t 7, Deer Creek-Mackinaw 57-20 and No. short on experienced coaches, but Bates 2 Wethersfield 20-12. ... No. 12 Auburn brings his own story, having coached at beat No. 5 Shelbyville 43-21, No. 4 Villa the school forever with great success Grove-Heritage 44-14, No. 1 Pana 20-7 but never making a title game until this and No. 11 Nashville 22-6. year. They also started the year 1-3 but STATE CHAMPIONSHIP APPEARhave won nine straight since to reach the ANCES: Tri-Valley made the title game state championship game. They scored 40 in DeKalb in 2013 and lost, its only trip points in each of the first seven games on to the state championship. For all of that winning streak, but have 44 combined Auburn’s success – the Trojans have the last two weeks. Tri-Valley enters the qualified for the postseason every year game having topped 40 points three times since 1997 and have double-digits win nine times in that span – this is their first this year. The Vikings have also held oppoPhoto provided nents to single digits nine times, including Tri-Valley’s Brock Danko (22) in the first half Nov. 21 against Kewanee Wethersfield in the state championship game appearance. four shutouts. KEEP AN EYE ON: Heyden Long and Class 2A Semi-Final at Downs.
Supporting Huskie Athletics Since 1970
Your Home For The Most Extensive Selection Of Huskie Gear! 3 Minutes from Huskie Stadium! Take Lincoln Hwy. to Annie Glidden - turn left. At stoplight, turn right on Lucinda Ave. We are on the top level on your left.
Order your NIU Sportswear today at
www.vcbs.com
VILLAGE COMMONS BOOKSTORE
901 Lucinda Avenue, DeKalb, IL 60115 815.758.0613 • Open 9-5 on Friday and Saturday
CLASS 3A No. 3 IC Catholic 42-14 in the semifinal. No. 10 Unity beat Marshall 42-24, No. 2 North Mac 55-20, No. 6 Monticello 41GAME TIME: 4 p.m. Friday 34 and No. 1 St. Joesph-Ogden 30-8. COACHES: Rich Zinanni (333-127 in STATE CHAMPIONSHIP APPEARhis 41st year with McNamara); Scott Hamilton (216-49 in his 22nd year with ANCES: The Irish are in their first finals appearance since 1998, when they lost. the Rockets) CONFERENCE: McNamara went 4-0 in They won four titles between 1982 and the Chicago Catholic Conference White 1987. This year is their eighth appearance as they search for the fifth win. Division. Unity was 2-3 in the Okaw The Rockets are in their fourth finals Valley Conference appearance and looking for their first HOW THEY GOT HERE: No. 5 McNamara shut out Mercer County 48-0 in title. KEEP AN EYE ON: Jonathan Ward the opener, then beat Newman Central passed the 2,000-yard rushing mark for Catholic 34-14. After a 53-32 win over Byron in the quarters, the Irish beat the Irish last week to set the school’s
single-season rushing mark. He’s committed to Central Michigan next season. ... Steven Migut had three rushing touchdowns and 119 yards for the Rockets in their snowy semifinal win. FUN FACT: The two coaches have a combined 63 years of coaching experience and 549 career wins – it would take two first-year coaches starting at different schools next season 20 consecutive perfect seasons each to get that many combined wins. WHY YOU SHOULD WATCH: It could turn into a master class in coaching given the experience of the two men at the helm of each program. McNamara
has bounced back from a 6-4 campaign last year to lose just once this season – 70-40 at St. Laurence. They handed IC Catholic its only two losses of the season – in the season opener, 49-32, and in the semis last week. Unity has not lost outside of its conference this year – one of those loses was at St. Joesph-Ogden in Week 9, 34-14. That loss was avenged last week. There could be a lot of points in this one, as the Rockets haven’t allowed single digits since Week 8 this year. Not counting a 1-0 forfeit, the Irish have two shutouts this year, their only single-digit performances of the year.
CLASS 4A Phillips Wildcats (13-0) vs. Althoff Catholic Crusaders (13-0)
Welcome Back IHSA Teams and Fans! COUPON
OFF
15
$
00
Purchase
Please present coupon at time of order. Not valid with limited time offers, daily specials or gift card purchases. One coupon per table. Can not combine coupons. Dine in only. No cash value. Subject to change. Expires 12/23/2015.
Families and Large Groups Welcome! Call Ahead for Reservations 815-748-0000
260 E. Lincoln Hwy., Downtown DeKalb • olearysalehouse.com
Like us on
adno=0351906
5
$ 00
• Thursday, November 26, 2015
... Althoff quarterback Jordan Augustine ran for two touchdowns and threw for a third in the semifinal win last week. GAME TIME: 7 p.m. Friday FUN FACT: Phillips could become the COACHES: Troy McAllister (45-13 in fifth first Chicago Public League school to win year with the Wildcats); Ken Turner (42a state championship. The Wildcats had a 18 in eighth year with the Crusaders) chance last year but lost in the state title CONFERENCE: Phillips went 5-0 in the game. Chicago Public League, Land of Lincoln WHY YOU SHOULD WATCH: Aside from Division. Althoff was 5-0 in the South Phillips’ quest for history, the Wildcats Seven Conference. have two three three-star recruits. Wide HOW THEY GOT HERE: No. 1 Phillips receiver Quayvon Skanes has committed opened with a 41-7 win over Genoa-Kingsto Connecticut and linebacker Amani ton, then beat Johnsburg 28-6. The WildJones is Iowa-bound. The Wildcats have cats topped No. 4 Geneseo 24-7 before a only given up 87 points this year and 47-13 semifinal win over No. 2 Marengo. never more than 18 in a game. They had a No. 1 Althoff Catholic beat Clinton 62-27 streak of four-straight shutouts earlier in and Notre Dame 58-21. The Crusaders folthe season. Althoff, however, is capable lowed with a 46-42 shootout win against No. 4 Rochester and beat No. 10 Mater Sarah Nader – snader@shawmedia.com of putting up points. The Crusaders have Dei 48-20 in the semifinals. Phillips’ Kamari Mosby (left) is tackled by Marengo’s Andrew Anderson Nov. 21 during the scored at least 46 in every playoff game so far. They’ve been held under 40 just STATE CHAMPIONSHIP APPEARANCES: first quarter of a Class 4A football semifinal in Chicago. three times this year and never to less Phillips was runner up in its first apthan 24. In fact, since that 24-22 win KEEP AN EYE ON: Defensive tackle Amir than 20 Division I schools according to pearance last year. The Crusaders are in Watts has been a beast for Phillips on the Rivals, including Minnesota, Illinois, Ken- in Week 1, they’ve scored at least 33 in their fifth title game, losing in 2012 after defensive line. He has offers from more tucky, Syracuse, Pittsburgh and Rutgers. every game. winning titles in 1980, 1989 and 1990.
IHSA FOOTBALL | Daily Chronicle / Daily-Chronicle.com
McNamara Fightin’ Irish (12-1) vs. Tolono Unity Rockets (12-1)
17
CLASS 5A
| IHSA FOOTBALL
Nazareth Academy Roadrunners (11-2) vs. Lincoln-Way West Warriors (11-2)
Daily Chronicle / Daily-Chronicle.com • Thursday, November 26, 2015
18
GAME TIME: 10 a.m. Saturday COACHES: Tim Racki (186-141 in his 11th year at Nazareth); Dave Ernst (38-10 in fourth year with Warriors) CONFERENCE: Nazareth went 5-2 in the East Suburban Catholic. Lincoln-Way West was 7-0 in the Southwest Suburban Conference Red Division. HOW THEY GOT HERE: No. 7 Nazareth beat Sycamore 38-6, Solorio Academy 43-3, No. 3 Joliet Catholic 35-21 and No. 5 St. Laurence 34-0. No. 7 Lincoln-Way West opened with a 35-12 win over Dunlap, then won 31-7 against No. 2 Triad. They beat No. 3 Peoria 40-13 and No. 4 Champaign Central 42-14. STATE CHAMPIONSHIP APPEARANCES: Nazareth won the title last year in its first appearance; this year is the first state final berth for the Warriors. Keep an eye on: Nazareth defensive back Julian Love is also
CLASS 6A dangerous on special teams, and has committed to Notre Dame. ... Warrior tailback Gabe Montalvo ran for 242 yards and five touchdowns behind a tough offensive line. FUN FACT: Sycamore – located less than seven miles from Huskie Stadium – lost four games this year, three to teams that are playing Saturday and both teams in the Class 5A game. The Spartans also lost to Crete-Monee, a finalist in 6A. WHY YOU SHOULD WATCH: The Lincoln-Way West offensive line is something to behold – anchored by a pair of high-level recruits. Bryan Brokop will play his college ball at Nebraska, while Justin Witt is going to North Carolina State. Nazareth has been dominant in the playoffs this year, with its closest game a 35-21 win over Joliet Catholic, which avenged a 38-35 regular season loss to the Hilltoppers. Their average playoff win is by a score of 37.5-7.5. The Warriors have been as dominant, winning by an average of 37-11.5 after scoring 40 or more in the last two games.
Montini Broncos (13-0) vs. Crete-Monee Warriors (11-2)
GAME TIME: 1 p.m. Saturday COACHES: Chris Andriano (292-124 in 37 years at Montni); John Konecki (25-8 in third season with Warriors) CONFERENCE: Montini was 4-0 in the Chicago Catholic Conference Green Division, while the Warriors were 5-0 in the Southland Conference. HOW THEY GOT HERE: No. 1 Montini opened with a 35-7 win over Wauconda then beat Kaneland 42-7 and DeKalb 49-14 before a 35-27 comeback win against Prairie Ridge last week in the semifinals. ... No. 6 Crete-Monee beat Rock Island 40-0, No. 3 Lemont 23-7 and No. 2 Sacred Heat-Griffin 38-35. The Warriors beat Hinsdale South 40-37 in the semifinals. STATE CHAMPIONSHIP APPEARANCES: It’s the eighth trip to the finals for the Broncos, who won in 2004 then again from 2009-2012. They lost title games in 2013 and 2014. ... The Warriors won their only finals appearance, winning in 2012. KEEP AN EYE ON: Montini quarterback Justin Blake has been recruited by many Illinois schools, including Northern Illinois, as well as Eastern Michigan and Wyoming. Blake ran for 154 yards in the semifinal
win, plus threw for 93 in the snowy game. ... Clint Ratkovich ran for 227 yards and two touchdowns on 38 carries for the Warriors. He has been recruited by Eastern, Southern and Western Illinois. FUN FACT: Since Andriano came to Montini, Crete-Monee has had 12 different head coaches, according to IHSA archives. WHY YOU SHOULD WATCH: Montini has been on a mission apparently from Week 1 to not just make it back to state – as they had for six straight years – but to win it, which they haven’t done since 2012. “We got to win state, that’s the only way we can top this game, baby,” Blake told the Northwest Herald after the 22-point comeback against Prairie Ridge. “So we are going to go out on Monday, practice hard all week, get ready for Thanksgiving break and try to have fun out there.” The semifinal was the first close game for the Broncos since Week 2 – they opened the year with a threepoint win, then won by 10 the following week. Until the semi, they had won by at least 19 points every week. The Warriors have also faced Prairie Ridge, losing 5233 in Crystal Lake in the regular season finale. Their only other loss was 49-21 to Brother Rice in Week 2.
WELCOME IHSA FANS! Stop by HyVee for great meals and snacks while watching the games. An array of choices for everyone in one place!
Italian Express
Sandwich Shop
Salad Bar
Fresh pizza & pasta daily
A large variety of tasty pre-made sandwiches and wraps available to go or made to order
Offering over 60 items, dine-in or carry-out
Chinese Express
Caribou Coffee
Wine & Spirits
Chinese-style entrees for dine-in or carry-out. Sushi made fresh in the store daily.
Stop in today for a classic or specialty drink and pair it with a fresh item for our bakery case.
Largest selection of wine, craft beer and spirits in the DeKalb/ Sycamore area.
Hy-Vee. The official grocery sponsor of NIU
BEST GROCERY STORE
2700 Dekalb Ave. • Sycamore • 815-756-6174
adno=0353349
CLASS 7A
Loyola Academy Ramblers (13-0) vs. Chicago Marist RedHawks (9-4)
GAME TIME: 7 p.m. Saturday COACHES: John Holecek (103-24 in 10th year at Loyola); Pat Dunne (63-28 in his eighth year at Marist) CONFERENCE: The Ramblers were 4-0 in the Chicago Catholic Blue Conference. ... The Red Hawks were 4-3 in the East Suburban Catholic Conference HOW THEY GOT HERE: No. 1 Loyola opened with a 31-0 win over West Aurora and followed with a 49-0 win against Stevenson. In the quarterfinals, the Ramblers beat Homewood-Flossmoor 34-28 then knocked off Palatine 24-22 in the semis. ... No. 23 Marist beat No. 10 Notre Dame 17-14 in the first round – the RedHawks’ second win against the Dons and the only two losses the Dons suffered all year. They followed with a 59-56 shootout win against No. 7 Barrington and a 38-35 squeaker against No. 15 Oswego in the quarterfinals. In the semis, they knocked off No. 30 Waubonsie Valley 31-16. STATE CHAMPIONSHIP APPEARANCES: Loyola is making it’s fifth finals appearance and first since the last time the games were held in DeKalb. The Ramblers
WHY YOU SHOULD WATCH: In the playoff era, the Ramblers have never had an undefeated season – they were 13-0 in 2011 but lost 21-17 to Bolingbrook on a late touchdown. The games haven’t been exactly close either. Their closest regular season game was a 31-7 win against Providence Catholic. The game last week against Palatine was the closest of the year, with Bobby Desherow swatting away a late two-point conversion attempt that would have tied the game. While they’ve been hot all year, the RedHawks are peaking at the right time. They started 5-2 but lost their last two games against Nazareth – in a state championship game – and Joliet Catholic – which lost Eric Miller – emiller@shawmedia.com to Nazareth in a Class 5A quarterfinal. Marist quarterback Brendan Skalitzky carries the ball in the RedHawks’ Nov. 21 win Their first three playoff wins were all by against Oswego. Skalitzky has thrown 38 touchdown passes this year for the RedHawks. three points before recording its most lopsided win (15 points) since a 41-7 win FUN FACT: The RedHawks are the fifth won their only title in 1993. ... Marist was against Marian in Week 7. Loyola senior team to finish the regular season 5-4 and defensive tackle Ben Leroy will need to state runner-up in 1986 and 2009. KEEP AN EYE On: Dara Laga ran for 209 make the state title. Staunton lost the get used to the field, having committed yards in 34 carries with a score in Loyola’s 2013 game in Huskie Stadium in 2013 to NIU. Teammates Eric Eshoo (tight end, semifinal. ... Brendan Skalitzky has thrown in Class 2A, the last time it happened. Northwestern) and John Shannon (offenTwice, a 5-4 team has won a state title – sive lineman, Notre Dame) are DI bound 38 touchdown passes this year for the Elmhurst Immaculate Conception did it in as well. Marist running back Darshon RedHawks, plus crossed over the 1,0002A in 2008, and Montini beat Joliet Catho- McCullough has committed to South yard rushing mark for the year with his lic 29-28 in the 5A title game in 2009. 186-yard performance in the semifinal. Dakota State.
• Thursday, November 26, 2015
CLASS 8A
19 IHSA FOOTBALL | Daily Chronicle / Daily-Chronicle.com
snowy conditions. Glenbard West FUN FACT: Jones is just the third Hilltoppers (13-0) vs. coach for the Wildcats since 1971. Libertyville Wildcats Dale Christensen coached for 23 (13-0) years, going 133-87, then was GAME TIME: 4 p.m. Saturday succeeded by Randy Kuceyeski, COACHES: Chad Hetlet (101-13 who was 133-58 with a state title in ninth year with Hilltoppers); in his tenure. Mike Jones (34-12 in fourth season WHY YOU SHOULD WATCH: with Wildcats) It’s a battle between teams CONFERENCE: Glenbard West that know a thing or two about went 6-0 in the West Suburban making the playoffs. The last time Silver League. Libertyville was 6-0 neither of these teams was in the in the North Suburban Conference postseason was 1996. While there Lake Division. are two other matchups between HOW THEY GOT HERE: No. undefeated teams going on at 1 Glenbard West opened the Huskie Stadium, this is the one in playoffs with a 49-10 win against the largest class sporting major Moline then beat No. 1 Mt. Carmel 7-0 before a 45-14 win against H. Rick Bamman – hbamman@shawmedia.com college recruits on both sides of Auburn in the quarterfinals. The Glenbard West senior running back George Mugnani celebrates the Hilltoppers 21-6 win over Cary-Grove the ball. Bronder is committed to Vanderbilt, while Libertyville Hilltoppers beat No. 5 Cary-Grove Nov. 21 in the Class 7A semifinal in Glen Ellyn. defensive end Ben Kimpler is 21-6 in the semifinals. ... No. 3 committed to Miami (Ohio). Libertyville opened with a 56-24 STATE CHAMPIONSHIP APentering the 2003 contest. Riley Lees had a rough game win against Downers Grove North. PEARANCES: The Hilltoppers have KEEP AN EYE ON: The Hilltopagainst Bradley-Bourbonnais last Libertyville isn’t used to close games – the semifinal win was They Wildcats followed with a titles in 1983 and 2012 among pers have used a balance attack week – responsible for all four of its first by single digits this year. 27-17 win against Lincoln-Way their four state final appearances. all season, but against Cary-Grove the Wildcats’ turnovers. But he Glenbard West has also played in East and a 41-27 victory over No. ... The Wildcats appeared in two they relied on Sam Bronder in still had the winning touchdown one single-digit game this year, 6 Normal, 41-27. They beat No. 23 state title games, coming in 2003- blizzard-like conditions. He ran and 232 rushing yards – not to Bradley-Bourbonnais 22-17 in the 04, winning the second of the two 50 times for 292 yards and two mention the Northwestern recruit the second-round win against Mt. semifinals. to cap a 14-0 year. They were 13-0 scores. ... Libertyville quarterback had 106 passing yards in very Carmel.
Daily Chronicle / Daily-Chronicle.com • Thursday, November 26, 2015
| IHSA FOOTBALL
20
WELCOME The City of DeKalb is excited you could join us in celebrating the IHSA Championships and welcomes the opportunity to show you all the community has to offer! There are so many reasons to return:
Play…
Big city amenities without the big city drive - DeKalb is the cultural hub of the county which offers art galleries, music, dance, live theater, arena concerts, independent films, & championship sports all in your back yard! With 40 area parks, 10 miles of multi-purpose trails, and the historic Egyptian Theatre, there is always something to do. Stay in the know by visiting these websites often: www.niutoday.info and the Convention and Visitor’s Bureau: www.dekalbcountycvb.com.
Learn… NIU’s music, sports, art, and STEM Camps for youth provide unparalleled learning experiences. Consider NIU for your college bound student. NIU is focused on your student’s career success by offering scholastic programs which are nationally recognized for meeting high standards of academic quality and success in areas such as business, engineering, nursing, visual and performing arts, and education. DeKalb’s north central location is close enough to visit home on the weekends but far enough away to maintain student independence. Grow…DeKalb offers the amenities you need to grow your business including fiber optic capacity, workforce development programs, collaborative technological entrepreneurship programs at NIU, DeKalb Taylor Municipal Airport, easy access to the I-88 and I-39 corridors, and housing options from affordable, to the historic, and luxurious. From Downtown to NIU and Sycamore Road, we have shovel-ready industrial sites and commercial space available in all sizes. Stay…Named a quarterfinalist in Frontier Communication’s America’s Best Communities, DeKalb is advancing plans to win the competition in 2017. Recent initiatives include our fiber optic network, a new High School, Police Station, Airport expansion, a long awaited Library expansion, and state of the art medical care with the merger of Kish Health System and Northwestern Memorial Healthcare. DeKalb is a great community to grow a family, connect, and thrive.
Join us and become Contact: Jennifer Diedrich, Economic Development Coordinator 815.748.2365 or jdiedrich@cityofdekalb.com