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Playoff outlooks suits 5 MSL West teams, Rolling Meadows just fine

It was a new and improved look for the Illinois High School Association's high school playoff brackets when they were announced Saturday evening.

Gone in Classes 7A and 8A are the geographical quadrants that been used in recent years. The IHSA moved this year to a true seeding, based simply upon records and playoff points.

"I definitely like the way they decided to go," said Barrington coach Joe Sanchez, who took his team to the 8A quarterfinals last year. "I always enjoyed that. The beautiful part is to see teams that are new, and experience different venues. We used to do this and I remember traveling to Naperville North and Harvey Thornton for games. It will be fun for the kids and all our fans."

It was a special year for the Mid-Suburban West. For the first time since the current alignment began in 1998, five teams from the West Division qualified for the playoffs. Palatine, Barrington, Conant and Fremd were placed in 8A based upon enrollment. Schaumburg became the fifth West school to make the playoffs this year; the Saxons will join Rolling Meadows in 7A.

"That's cool for our league," Schaumburg coach Mark Stilling said. "It shows how competitive it has been for us and how good our teams are."

Palatine (7-2), which won the MSL West for the 4th time in the last 5 years, was awarded a 13th seed thanks to their 47 playoff points. The Pirates will host 20th-seeded Sandburg (6-3) of the Southwest Suburban Blue conference in the opening round.

"We get to play a new team, and that is a good thing," said Palatine coach Rick Splitt, whose program has qualified for the playoffs for the second year in a row and the eighth time in the last nine years.

Splitt was at his home where he was hosting a viewing party for his team and coaches. There they saw Loyola being named the top seed in 8A, followed by Huntley and downstate Edwardsville.

"Our kids are ready to step up to the challenge and find a way to win," Splitt said. "They have played hard all year. and to win the West and share it with Barrington is a great thing."

The game should be a battle of high-powered offenses that are not afraid to take chances.

Palatine comes into the game with a 3-game winning streak. With Zach Oles leading the charge, the Pirates are averaging 28 points.

Sandburg has lost its last two, but both were to state powers - Homewood-Flossmoor and Lincoln-Way East. Sandburg is averaging 31 points.

Barrington, which lost to Palatine late in the season but still came away with a share of the West title, was able to earn a 7-seed based upon an 8-1 overall record. Barrington will host Plainfield South (5-4) of the Southwest Prairie Conference.

"Tonight is a night to celebrate with our team and our families," said Sanchez, who gathered with his Broncos at Barrington High school for a view party. "Regardless of your record, everyone starts 0-0. Only one team in 8A gets to end their season with a win and that is the beauty of it and what all 32 teams are striving for."

It will be an offensive-minded Barrington team taking to the field in the playoffs for the third consecutive year and fifth time in the last six years. Led by quarterback Johnny Davidson, the Broncos are averaging 43 points.

Plainfield South is returning to the playoffs after a one-year absence. The Cougars have done it with their defense, allowing just 14 points per game.

Conant qualified after missing the playoffs last year. The Cougars (6-3), who were seeded 17th, have the smallest enrollment in 8A and will travel to play defending 8A champion Stevenson in the opening round.

"Were disappointed on how we finished the regular season," Conant coach Bill Modelski said. "But we are happy to be back in the playoffs. It will be exciting going up against the defending state champions in the first round."

Conant has lost 2 in a row and 3 of its last 4. But the Cougars have been strong on the offense side of the ball thanks to the play of running back Jake Jakubosky, quarterback Kyle Bradley and receiver Palmer Graham. The Cougars hope that can carry them along the way.

Stevenson (6-3) is the 16th seed and opened its season with a 26-24 win over Palatine, a team that Conant lost to 34-29 in Week 9.

Fremd makes its fourth consecutive trip to the playoffs. The Vikings (5-4) are seeded 29th and will travel to play fourth-seeded Oak Park.

"I told the kids, the regular season is over," Fremd coach Lou Sponsel said. "No one cares about records now. Now it is a one-game season each week. And we want to be playing each week."

It should be a healthier Fremd team that faces Oak Park. The Vikings, who got Kenny Lyke back on the field full-time on Friday, are expected to have their secondary nearly intact after injuries and illnesses had decimated it the past two weeks.

Oak Park, which plays in the West Suburban Silver, lost only the Glenbard West, 34-7 in Week 6.

Both Rolling Meadows and Schaumburg will be planning road trips in Class 7A.

Rolling Meadows (6-3), which is the 15th seed, will find itself heading down to Burbank to take on eighth-seeded Reavis.

Coach Matt Mishler was with his team and coaches at Rolling Meadows, where they had a view party. They saw Glenbard West named as the top seed in 7A, followed by Whitney Young of Chicago Public League and Libertyville.

"Our guys are jacked up and excited," said Mishler, whose team has qualified for the playoffs for a fifth consecutive year and 12th time in the last 13 years. "It is always a big deal to make the playoffs. The kids have been working so and all year for this. So an opportunity like this is never taken for granted. They are hungry and want more."

Meadows, which claimed the MSL East title for the fourth consecutive year, has been getting strong play from junior quarterback Asher O'Hara and a tough defense led by Ted Golaris.

Reavis won the South Suburban Red Conference. The Rams have been explosive on offense, averaging 44 points.

Schaumburg will be scooting down I-57 for its first playoff game in two years. The Saxons (5-4), who are seeded 27th, will play at sixth-seeded Normal.

"I am proud of these guys the way they bounced back after last season," Schaumburg coach Mark Stilling said. "It has been a good blend of young players and seniors here. The seniors have been great with their leadership and our young guys have been incredibly mature. We are excited about having a second season."

Schaumburg has benefitted in recent weeks from its 1-2 punch at running back in Emmanuel Little and quarterback Justin Perez.

Normal qualified for the state playoffs for the 20th consecutive year. The Ironmen (8-1) averaged 42.6 points this season.

Dates and times for the opening round games will be officially announced on Monday afternoon by the IHSA.

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