Let's talk drama

If you want the obvious, then good for you and you can find the blog ramblings of many all over the web on these very subjects.

Looking for that drivel from me today? 

Sorry, that drivel can wait.

Post-season individual awards can wait.

It's Week 9 folks. It's high drama time.

As we speak coaches from all over the state are locked in class rooms all over the state doing math and checking playoff points over and over again.

"Can we squeeze just a few more playoff points from our schedules?"

"Will we have enough points? What will the playoff points cut off be this year? 38? 37? 40?"

If I've lost you by now, you obviously are not what I would consider a hardcore high school football fan.

But this is the best and hands down the most nervous time of the entire high school football season.

You think Steve Winiecki from Deerfield is sleeping much this week? The Warriors at 5-3 and 34 playoff points face Glenbrook North (6-2) and the Warriors should be really, really close to getting into the state playoff field win or lose to the Spartans this week. 

Yet t's always the unknown that keeps guys like Steve Winiecki up all week.

Others in need of some help and a hug?

Evanston (4-4) just needs to win this Saturday and they are in. All Mike "Buzz" Burzawa has to do is beat Glenbrook South (6-2).

The same goes for Lane Tech (4-4) and veteran head coach Rich Rio. Just win this week and get into the state playoffs. Of course the Indians get to face Hubbard (6-2) in the opening round of the CPL playoffs. Ouch.

Or how about Glenbard East (4-4) at Wheaton North (4-4)? The winner keeps playing next week and the loser packs up the equipment for the year.

Then we can always look at the ever amazing East Suburban Catholic Conference.

Nazareth (4-4) is still alive but Tim Racki and the Roadrunners need to beat Carmel (6-2) in Mundelein.

St. Viator? Team Cybil will need to beat St. Joseph (1-7) and then hope that they make the playoff point cut-off.

If St. Pat's (4-4) wins at Benet Academy (3-5) on Friday they are in. 

Out Northwest they are also biting their nails this week.

Johnsburg (5-3) with just 32 playoff points as of today plays at Grayslake North (3-5) and this week is basically a must win deal for the Skyhawks.

Same goes for Prairie Ridge (5-3) playing at Woodstock North (0-8).

McHenry (4-4) needs to win and they will be in. But the Warriors get to travel to Crystal Lake South (7-1) who will be fighting mad after losing the Fox Valley Super Bowl last Friday to Cary-Grove. Yikes.

Huntley (4-4) can beat Jacobs (2-6) on Friday and could still be on the outside looking in with just 35 playoff points as of today.

Others?

Oak Park-River Forest (4-4) plays Downers Grove North (1-7) on Friday and the Huskies will be looking hard at the final playoff point cut off total.

Plainfield Central (4-4) can win and get in if they beat Minooka (6-2) on Friday night in Plainfield, and the same goes for Libertyville (4-4) who play at Mundelein. Rich Central (4-4) will also look for a Week 9 win to get into the state playoff field, yet here comes Rock Island (7-1) into Olympia Fields on Friday night to try to knock out the Olympians for the year.

Thornton (4-4)? All they need to do is beat Lincoln-Way East (7-1) in Frankfort. No small task there.

The same no easy road goes for District 215 schools TF North (4-4) who plays at Hillcrest (7-1) and TF South (4-4) who will host Oak Lawn Richards (7-1).

Want even more drama?

How about this one.

Elgin Larkin (5-3) will host South Elgin (6-2) on Friday and the Royals will need to win this game to get into the state playoff field since Larkin has just 30 playoff points as of today.

South Elgin head coach is former Larkin longtime head coach Dale Schabert, who resigned from Larkin to take over the South Elgin program four years ago.

Now folks, that's what I call drama.