AC photo 22

Welcome to the start of the 2018 IHSA football playoffs.  The spotlight is now brighter, the stage is now bigger, and the hits sound more like a sledgehammer smashing rock.

It also means @thesouc has worn out the number keys on another keyboard, @EDGYTIM hasn’t slept since July, and @camronsmith, @nwh_JoePrepZone, and @Kevin_schmit get to work together with the first two on the playoff pairing show sorting out the road to the championship games in Champaign.

If you didn’t get to see the show, find a replay, and think about trying to analyze 256 teams—they do an amazing job.

I also encourage you to take a look at @Beth_Long ‘s PREDICTIONS. Those favored might find a little reassurance, and those less favored may find new motivation.  Then take a look at the Chicago Sun-Times‘ High School Sports page and fill out your own bracket.

The journey to Champaign will undoubtedly include unbelievable plays we hope somebody photo­graphed, unbelievable decisions we hope won’t cost some team a game, and unbeliev­able runs, throws, catches, and outcomes none of us saw coming. This is why we love high school sports.

Lisle’s coach Paul Parpet leads the Lions onto the field as the Lions play the Streator Bulldogs, Streator, Illinois, October 5, 2018. | Allen Cunningham / for Chicago Sun-Times

Lisle’s Jay McGrath (17) follows the block of Conner Keebaugh (77), Streator, Illinois, October 5, 2018. | Allen Cunningham / for Chicago Sun Times

Rather than make predictions this year, I’m simply going to share photos of teams I saw in 2018 and suggest matchups I would enjoy photographing.

In 3A, I would love to see Lisle playing for the title.  Watching Coach Parpet and the Lions play down in Streator a few weeks ago provided an unforgettable night of high school football.

Montini’s Robert Brazziel (7) throws a pass just before the Loyola defensive pressure gets to him, Wilmette, Illinois, September 29, 2018. | Allen Cunningham / for Chicago Sun Times

Montini’s Nicholas Fedanzo (24) picks up some tough yardage against Loyola Academy, Wilmette, Illinois, September 29, 2018. | Allen Cunningham / for Chicago Sun Times

In 5A, a championship game between Montini and Hillcrest would be an exciting matchup.  The Hawks have gone undefeated this year after decades of struggling to get even a few wins.  Montini has won (5) state championships in the last two decades, and they certainly have a talented squad this year, including U of I bound running back Nick Fedanzo.

In 6A, Cary-Grove and Richards squaring off would be a great championship game.  The Bulldogs of Richards play tough defense and feature a talented running back, Leshon Williams.  Cary-Grove starts their offense with the triple option, but they also have a big strong quarterback who can throw accurately.  Champaign’s Memorial Stadium is turf, but seeing these two teams battle on real grass would make for some incredible photos.

Nazareth’s Devin Blakely works through a drill during a pre-season practice, LaGrange, Illniois, August 9, 2018. | Allen Cunningham / for Chicago Sun Times

Mount Carmel’s Kenenna Odeluga (36) intercepts a Loyola Academy pass in the first half, Wilmette, Illniois, September 8, 2018. | Allen Cunningham / for Chicago Sun Times

Mount Carmel’s Demetrias Rias (22) breaks through the line for a gain against Loyola Academy, Wilmette, Illniois, September 8, 2018. | Allen Cunningham / for Chicago Sun Times

Jordan Lynch gets ready for his first game as the head coach of Mount Carmel, DeKalb, Illniois, August 25, 2018. | Allen Cunningham / for Chicago Sun-Times

Mount Carmel’s Kyle Davis (25) dives for the endzone during the first half of the Caravan’s 42-7 victory over Hope Academy, DeKalb, Illniois, August 25, 2018. | Allen Cunningham / for Chicago Sun-Times

Simeon’s Keontis Parker (8) intercepts a Phillips pass and returns it for a touchdown in the first half, Chicago, Illniois, September 8, 2018. | Allen Cunningham / for Chicago Sun Times

Simeon’s Deangelo HUdson (22) carries the ball against Phillips, Chicago, Illniois, September 8, 2018. | Allen Cunningham / for Chicago Sun Times

Simeon’s Alante Brown (3) stands in the pocket looking for a receiver as Phillips’ Amari Hampton (53) closes in, Chicago, Illniois, September 8, 2018. | Allen Cunningham / for Chicago Sun Times

Simeon’s Derek Flowers (9) runs hard before getting tackled by Phillips Dominic Bass (34), Chicago, Illniois, September 8, 2018. | Allen Cunningham / for Chicago Sun Times

In 7A, this bracket is just filled with heart-crushing pain:  Simeon, Batavia, Nazareth, Mount Carmel, Rolling Meadows, and undefeated #2 seed Glenbard East?  Ridiculous. Only one team can win it all.  The best outcome here would be two lower seeds knocking off all the chalk.  A championship game between #25 seed Andrew High School and #15 seed East St. Louis would be a bracket buster never to be forgotten. Go Bolts!

Lincoln-Way East’s Anthony Sottosanto (79) gets a high-five from Chase Anderson (7), Frankfort, Illniois, September 1, 2018. | Allen Cunningham / for Chicago Sun Times

Oswego’s Jake Duncan (6) throws a pass against Joliet West, Joliet, Illniois, September 15, 2018. | Allen Cunningham / for Chicago Sun Times

Marist’s Billy Skalitzky catches a pass during a pre-season practice, Chicago, Illniois, August 13, 2018. | Allen Cunningham / for Chicago Sun Times

Homewood-Flossmoor’s Wynston Russell carries the ball against Bolingbrook, Bolingbrook, Illniois, September 14, 2018. | Allen Cunningham / for Chicago Sun Times

Brother Rice’s John Bean (2) scrambles for a gain against Providence, New Lenox, Illniois, September 21, 2018. | Allen Cunningham / for Chicago Sun Times

Lincoln-Way East’s Jordan Corbett (2) carries the ball against Homewood-Flossmoor, Frankfort, Illinois, September 28, 2018. | Allen Cunningham / for Chicago Sun Times

Marist’s Mike Markett throws a pass during a pre-season practice, Chicago, Illniois, August 13, 2018. | Allen Cunningham / for Chicago Sun Times

Oswego’s Charles Coleman (21) stiff arms Joliet West’s Jeremy Pullen, Joliet, Illniois, September 15, 2018. | Allen Cunningham / for Chicago Sun Times

Homewood-Flossmoor’s Leon Tanna (3) scores a touchdown in the second half against the Bolingbrook Raiders, Bolingbrook, Illniois, September 14, 2018. | Allen Cunningham / for Chicago Sun Times

Oak Park-River Forest’s Cedric Cheatham, left, and Machi Young, right, wrap up Glenbard West’s Tyquan Cox, Glen Ellyn, Illinois, October 13, 2018. | Allen Cunningham / for Chicago Sun-Times

Lincoln-Way East’s Dylan Shelton (92) and Jeremiah Dawson (99) get a little fired up after making a tackle for a loss, Frankfort, Illniois, September 1, 2018. | Allen Cunningham / for Chicago Sun Times

Brother Rice’s Jessi Plunkett (4) hurdles a Providence player as he carries the ball in the first half, New Lenox, Illniois, September 21, 2018. | Allen Cunningham / for Chicago Sun Times

Oswego’s Jamal Fomby, Jr., makes a one-handed catch for a touchdown against Joliet West, Joliet, Illniois, September 15, 2018. | Allen Cunningham / for Chicago Sun Times

Oak Park-River Forest’s sophomore quarterback Jaden Mcgill (6) stiffarms Glenbard West’s Greyson Metz (7), Glen Ellyn, Illinois, October 13, 2018. | Allen Cunningham / for Chicago Sun-Times

Lincoln-Way East coach Rob Zvonar and the captains lead the team to the field for their first home game of the year against Naperville Central, Frankfort, Illinois, September 1, 2018. | Allen Cunningham / for Chicago Sun Times

Oswego’s Jack Lemke (3) catches a pass a runs for a touchdown, Joliet, Illniois, September 15, 2018. | Allen Cunningham / for Chicago Sun Times

Marist’s Jadon Thompson drops back to receive a punt during a pre-season practice, Chicago, Illniois, August 13, 2018. | Allen Cunningham / for Chicago Sun Times

Lincoln-Way East’s Jackson Ritter (29) goes up for the ball as Homewood-Flossmoor’s Kasyus Kurns (22) defends, Frankfort, Illinois, September 28, 2018. | Allen Cunningham / for Chicago Sun Times

In 8A, undefeated Lincoln-Way East facing undefeated Brother Rice would certainly provide a game that would bring out a crowd.  But a final that includes undefeated Oswego, one-loss Marist, or . . . Oak Park-River Forest, or Homewood-Flossmoor would also be worth seeing.

We are all about to witness some great football. Dress warmly—it’s always colder than you think.