IHSA playoffs

[CaliRdBrd]

Glenbard East grad here. How good is Normal Community?

 

[Total Red]

Glenbard East grad here. How good is Normal Community?

Not as good as I had hoped. If the Ironmen want to win a state championship they're going to have to play a tougher schedule. I know they tried. They scheduled Springfield Sacred Heart Griffin, a defending state champion, but that was a 4A title and SHG wasn't as good this year. Norm Comm is 7A. The only team in central Illinois that could possibly take out the Ironmen would be Rochester.

Community needs to go up north and play some quality 6, 7, or 8A teams. Bradley Bourbonnais was only 6-3 in the regular season but BB was a battle tested team. BB played a schedule they included all 3 Lincoln-Way teams (E, W and Central). I was surprised that BB took undefeated NC to OT, but I shouldn't have been. They played a serious schedule, NC didn't.

Teams in the middle of the state can win a 4A, 5A title or less but you can't win a 7A unless you get used to playing teams on that level.

The game with Glenbard East should be close.

 

[CaliRdBrd]

Not as good as I had hoped. If the Ironmen want to win a state championship they're going to have to play a tougher schedule. I know they tried. They scheduled Springfield Sacred Heart Griffin, a defending state champion, but that was a 4A title and SHG wasn't as good this year. Norm Comm is 7A. The only team in central Illinois that could possibly take out the Ironmen would be Rochester.

Community needs to go up north and play some quality 6, 7, or 8A teams. Bradley Bourbonnais was only 6-3 in the regular season but BB was a battle tested team. BB played a schedule they included all 3 Lincoln-Way teams (E, W and Central). I was surprised that BB took undefeated NC to OT, but I shouldn't have been. They played a serious schedule, NC didn't.

Teams in the middle of the state can win a 4A, 5A title or less but you can't win a 7A unless you get used to playing teams on that level.

The game with Glenbard East should be close.

When I was there we were a doormat in the DuPage Valley, but that conference (at that time) was arguable my the best conference in the Midwest. We’re now in a much easier conference, so our gaudy record isn’t all that intimidating if you consider the caliber of the competition.

 

[Dmills]

Nice win for the Ironmen. Next up is Downers Grove North (I believe on the road). Should be a good game with a trip to Hancock on the line.

 

[Manchester Matt]

Agree with tue previous poster about NCHS not playing the type of teams the remaining four have.

Downers North’s two losses were close setbacks to Lyons Township and York.

The Trojans just beat Lincoln-Way West by 28. This is going to be a very tough task for NCHS.

 

[Dmills]

Illinois State University Official Athletics Site

Online Ticket Office

goredbirds.evenue.net

It looks like a ticket is only good for one game? I wouldn't be surprised due to capacity constraints at Hancock. I don't think this is how it has been historically though? Usually the fans for the next game fill the stands while the prior game was going on. Last time I went to the state finals, I thought it was $10 and got you in for the day. I would hope the $17 gets you in for the day? Any insight? I probably will only go to the 8A game but who knows.

 

[RedbirdSoxFan]

Illinois State University Official Athletics Site

Online Ticket Office

goredbirds.evenue.net

It looks like a ticket is only good for one game? I wouldn't be surprised due to capacity constraints at Hancock. I don't think this is how it has been historically though? Usually the fans for the next game fill the stands while the prior game was going on. Last time I went to the state finals, I thought it was $10 and got you in for the day. I would hope the $17 gets you in for the day? Any insight? I probably will only go to the 8A game but who knows.

 

[RedbirdSoxFan]

Looks like $15 + $2 convenience fee for the day.
My guess is that you just choose the class so that game gets you the whole day. Not sure why they just don’t list it by day you want.

 

[Dmills]

Looks like $15 + $2 convenience fee for the day.
My guess is that you just choose the class so that game gets you the whole day. Not sure why they just don’t list it by day you want.

Thank you! It sure will be packed towards the end of games! Will be a great weekend for Illinois State and the Bloomington-Normal community.

 

[Dmills]

Any reports from the state finals? I ended up deciding not to attend and opted to spend some extra time with family. I've only seen positive things online.

 

[isuquinndog]

I didn't go, but it looks like a lot of blow outs.

 

[RedbirdSoxFan]

Rochester blew out St Lawrence (Burbank) 59-38 to make it 9-0 in State Championship games since 2010

 

[RedbirdSoxFan]

IHSA Football State Finals Biggest Fan Section 2023 - The Visual Preservationist

Each year I cover the IHSA football state finals I've tried to capture photos showing the amount of fans each school brings to the game. Partially because someone is always claiming their school brought the most fans and because even if the IHSA released attendance numbers, they could never...

visualpreservationist.com

I would say that the largest crowd on the East side was Cary-Grove or Downers Grove North.
On the West side Rochester or Lincoln Way East