The tour tried to do something that it hadn't done before, cover two games in different parts of the state on the same day. Our first game was the "Game of the Week" between Wheaton-Warrenville South and York High. It was a game in which the first half brought strong defensive stands and a lone Dierking score for a 7-0 walk into the locker rooms.
The second half was not very different, especially for the defense of the Tigers, for they just so happened to keep The Dukes of York off the scoreboard and solidify a spot in the state championships. In the end Dan Dierking ran for 99 yards and 2 touchdowns while the junior backup QB Mike Piatkowski threw the nail in the coffin with a long TD pass to WR Joseph Panno late in the fourth quarter to make the game 23-0 in favor of the Wheaton-Warrenville South Tigers.
Next, we were on our way to what some say was the biggest game in the state of Illinois. Mount Carmel, #2 in the state of Illinois, took on Lincoln-Way East, #3 in the state of Illinois, for the chance to go to the state finals and take on the winner of our previous game, Wheaton-Warrenville South. The game made it clear to me about the brand of football Illinois plays, hard hitting with a premium put on the defense. It was 7-3 at halftime with the only touchdown coming on a one yard run from Eric Ramirez.
It was only fitting for the game to end the way it did. After one more FG from Lincoln-Way East to bring the score to 7-6, Mount Carmel answered, after an interception from Kyler Kopach, with a 8-yard TD pass from QB Carter Kopach to TE/DE Ron Newcomb. With the score now 14-6 in favor of Mount Carmel, the Griffins mounted a charge against the Caravan on their last possession. 80 yards later and a one-yard TD by D.J. Pirkle, and the game came down to a two-point conversion. Keith Nunez picked off the pass attempt and put not only an end to the game, but also to the 26-game winning streak of Lincoln-Way East.
Mike and I are now off to Missouri for the state championship game between Blue Springs South (Blue Springs, MO) and Christian Brothers (St. Louis, MO). Stay tuned because we might just pull off another surprise next week.
P.S. Thanks Steve for showing us a great time in Chicago, and take it to the "House"!