Nov. 06--Legends square off
Saturday night's Class 3A second-round game between Bishop McNamara and Sterling Newman will mark the second time an Illinois high school football game will have a 300-win head coach on each sideline. McNamara's Rich Zinanni has a career record of 330-127 in 41 seasons, while Mike Papoccia is 308-94 in 36 years at Newman. Zinanni was involved in the other such contest, a 42-0 loss to the all-time leader, Mount Carmel's Frank Lenti (355-67), in 2013. There are six members of the 300-win club.
Forfeits loom large
How does Mount Carmel get seeded No. 16 in Class 7A with a 7-2 regular-season record as a member of one of the state's toughest conferences? Down years by St. Rita and Providence didn't help the Caravan's accumulation of playoff points, and Hales' inability to field a team hurt even more. A seven-win team last year, Hales forfeited its season, costing all the teams on its schedule precious playoff points.
Long snapper honored
A good crop of offensive line prospects in Illinois' Class of 2016 extends to the long-snapper. Loyola's John Shannon, headed to Notre Dame on a full scholarship, was selected for the U.S. Army All-American Bowl this week. The game features 90 of the nation's top prospects and will be televised live on NBC on Jan. 9. Hinsdale South defensive end Josh King, a Michigan State recruit and the state's top prospect, was the only other player from Illinois chosen.
Low seeds, high hopes
The new 1-32 seeding format in Class 7A and 8A could result in a team seeded in the 30s reaching the quarterfinals in both. Fresh off a 39-14 victory over No. 2-seeded Young, 31st-seeded Niles North (6-4) will host a Class 7A second-round game against 15th-seeded Eisenhower (8-2) in a matchup of programs that just broke long playoff droughts. Eisenhower beat Machesney Park Harlem for its first playoff win since 1998. Niles North's only other playoff win came in 1992. In 8A, 30th-seeded Waubonsie Valley (6-4) will take on District 204 rival Neuqua Valley (7-3) after knocking No. 3-seeded Edwardsville 20-17 in overtime.
Mike Helfgot is a freelance reporter for the Chicago Tribune.
