5 minute read
Colbert Column
from Mt. Morris Times
by Shaw Media
SPORTS COLUMN Here are my 10 most memorable playoff games
With crisp, sunny and dry conditions, it was only fitting that this past weekend would have been ideal for what would have been the IHSA state football championships. From opening Friday night back in August to Thanksgiving, I can’t remember a fall when the weather has been so perfect for games.
Normally, this week’s column would have been a recap of what took place downstate. Since 2014, my Thanksgiving thoughts were more about Forreston than eating turkey.
When you cover a team throughout the regular season, it is a real treat when they advance to the state finals. By then, you have gotten to know the players, coaches and other familiar faces on the sidelines.
The longer the playoffs go on, the higher the stakes and more excitement. I can honestly say that high-school sporting championships that have a local team involved provide me with the greatest level of entertainment.
There is nothing better and for that, I am extremely grateful for being along for the ride on three recent state-title runs by Forreston.
With that in mind, here is a list of my 10 most memorable playoff games in no particular order among local teams in past decade:
2012: Forreston 35, Ottawa Marquette 34 (OT)
As a relatively new convert to Cardinal football, I was impressed by the free-wheeling style of play and coach Denny Diduch’s willingness to gamble in the come-from-behind win on the road in the round of 16.
2013: Oregon 22, Wilmington 21
COMMENTARY Andy Colbert
With all the pre-game theatrics, playing on Wilmington’s home field is a tall task for any opponent, but the Hawks also came in as a pronounced underdog. Oregon managed to hang tough and used some last-minute heroics to secure the win.
2013: Stillman Valley 28, Aurora Christian 26
After seeing AC’s talented offense run wild against Oregon two weeks earlier, I figured SV had an uphill climb in this 3A semifinal. Not only did Stillman match Aurora score-for-score, but incredibly pulled off more big plays in a freezing cold night on the road.
Back and forth these two perennials powers went in 3A title game at NIU, with the Cardinals scoring in overtime on a controversial extra point run. For me, St. Joe was sentimental favorite, as it was my father’s first head coaching job and the current coach, Dick Duvall, was attempting to win his first state title after four previous runner-up finishes.
2014: Forreston 33, Stark County 19 This may go down on my favorite of the bunch with the wonderful atmosphere in Toulon in a classic 1A match-up.
2015: Byron 42, Wilmington 35
Byron came into the game shorthanded and found themselves in a deep hole on the road. Just when it appeared all was lost, the Tigers stunned the home team and its large crowd with some nearly miraculous plays.
2018: Forreston 34, Lena-Winslow 28
With snowbanks surrounding Le-Win’s field, the Cardinal caught a couple breaks early and had a brilliant offensive game plan in what was a de facto state title game. The other thing that stood out was Forreston’s physicality against the big brutes of Le-Win.
2018: Monticello 24, Byron 20
State championship football at its finest and a game of inches at Memorial Stadium in Champaign.
2019: Williamsville 46, Byron 42
Seasoned observers from all over the state called this game the best of all eight classes in last year’s championships.
2019: Polo 50, Milford-Cissna Park 26
This game lacked the drama of the other ones mentioned, but stood out for Polo giving credibility to the 8-man movement. With the resounding win at Monmouth College in front of an enthusiastic Marco crowd, Polo proved that 8-man will be a force to be reckoned with.
• COVID-19 UPDATE Continued from Page 6
60s, two in their 70s and two older than 80.
For the month of November, Whiteside County had 2,066 cases, compared to 1,049 for October and 269 in September. The 50-59 age group had the highest number of cases in November, 352, the 70-79 age group the fewest, at 150.
Lee County Tuesday had one COVID-related death, a woman in her 80s, and 27 new cases, including 11 from Dixon Correctional Center and three from Franklin Grove Living and Rehab. The new cases involved one teen, two people in their 20s, one each in their 30s and 40s, three in their 50s, four in their 60s and one in his or her 70s.
Whiteside County has had 3,952 cases and 83 deaths. Lee County has had 1,926 cases, 1,109 recoveries and 21 deaths. Carroll County, which did not release updated statistics on Tuesday, has had 1,073 cases, 984 recoveries and 24 deaths.
The North region (Boone, Carroll, DeKalb, Jo Daviess, Lee, Ogle, Stephenson, Whiteside and Winnebago counties) has had no consecutive days under 12% positivity. The region’s positivity rate decreased to 14.8%. Currently, 24.9% of medical/surgical beds are available and 22.0% of ICU beds.
The region has 11 consecutive days above the 20% threshold for ICU bed availability, and 11 consecutive days above the 20% threshold for medical/surgical bed availability.
Region 1 has a rolling, 7-day average of 256 COVID-19 patients in the hospital. Hospitalizations have decreased for 10 consecutive days.
Within this region, DeKalb County’s positivity rate increased to 11.9%, Lee County’s rate decreased to 18.4%, and Whiteside County’s rate dropped to 14.8%.
Finally, within this region, there are 34 available, staffed ICU beds out of 179 total, a decrease of six from Monday.
The Illinois Department of Public Health announced 12,542 cases and 125 deaths on Tuesday. Statewide there have been 738,846 cases and 12,403 deaths.
Sterling has had 11,222 tests and 1,448 cases. Rock Falls has had 5,586 tests and 860 cases. Dixon has had 13,306 tests and 1,364 cases.
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