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Week 1 showed why high school football is so much fun

Yes, folks, that big blast of craziness was only Week 1.

The question is, can Eyes on Five handle eight more of these things?

It sure will be fun finding out!

1. Crazy in love:

There's a reason so many people love prep football, and Week 1 pretty much summed it up.

Expectations met reality.

Naperville North had lost four straight games to Neuqua Valley and appeared on no preseason rankings. On Friday, however, the Huskies zoomed onto everyone's radar with a 14-13 victory over the ranked Wildcats, who boldly went for 2 points and the win after a late touchdown.

That was only one example of a wild weekend ... and we're not even talking about the thunderstorms that pushed many of Friday's games to Saturday.

Want to talk wild? Take Montini's 36-35 loss to Maine South. The Broncos surrendered 3 touchdowns in the final three minutes, including a punt block, scoop and go-ahead score with 13 seconds left.

Want to talk stunning? Look no further than Hinsdale Central's 23-15 win over Bolingbrook. With first-year coach Dan Hartman at the helm, the Red Devils beat a team some considered to be the best in the state.

The Associated Press preseason poll shows no one was safe. Three top 10 teams lost in Class 8A, six in 7A and four in 5A. The defending state champs in 8A, 7A and 6A all lost, as well as the 5A runner-up.

One week down, eight to go.

Catch your breath while you can.

2. Good news and good news:

There's nothing more gut-wrenching in football than a young man lying injured on the field.

It happened in two significant cases last weekend but, fortunately, each has a relieving ending.

Wheaton Warrenville South's Adam Bailey suffered a head injury during Saturday's sophomore game at Glenbard West that required surgery. According to WW South principal Dave Claypool, Bailey's improving with each day. He's up and walking around, each step bringing him closer to returning home from the hospital.

Another incident occurred Saturday night near the end of Waubonsie Valley's win over Naperville Central. Iowa State-bound Redhawks linebacker Bobby McMillen went down with a neck injury and was removed on a stretcher and taken to a hospital.

Naperville Central coach Mike Stine reports McMillen was home late Saturday night, was back at school for a Sunday film session, ran around at practice Monday and is expected to play on Friday.

"It was scary for everyone, and rightfully so," Stine said. "It's something no one ever wants to see, but thankfully he'll be OK."

3. Silver linings:

Beyond Hinsdale Central's win over Bolingbrook, last weekend the West Suburban Silver looked like collective worldbeaters.

The league posted a 6-1 mark highlighted by Glenbard West's win over Wheaton Warrenville South and Oak Park's victory over Lincoln-Way East. The lone loss was by Lyons Twp. in a defeat to Warren.

Has the Gold side of the WSC caught up to the Silver? A 3-4 mark in Week 1 doesn't bode well, but we'll find out more after this weekend's crossover games. Two games in particular to watch will be Hinsdale Central at Addison Trail and Downers Grove North at Hinsdale South.

4. Oh yeah...:

Remember those state hearings designed to delve into the inner workings of the IHSA? Yeah, I kind of forgot about them, too.

The initial hearing, spearheaded by Aurora representative Linda Chapa LaVia, took place in April but a follow-up hearing scheduled for July was canceled.

It's been two months since the cancellation, so I sent a note to the IHSA for an update. They say the hearing still hasn't been rescheduled.

Will it ever happen? Time will tell.

Does it matter? I'll leave your cynical minds to answer that.

5. Stat time:

Uh-oh-and-two.

That's what a bunch of fine football teams face this weekend in matchups between quality - albeit winless - squads.

Batavia at Glenbard North, East St. Louis at Montini, Naperville Central at Neuqua Valley and Joliet Catholic at Wheaton North. Someone from each of those games will be 0-2 at the end of the weekend.

That being said, I don't think anyone will be standing in line wanting to play them.

Follow Kevin on Twitter @kevin_schmit

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