The IHSA Class 7A state football playoffs are shaping up to be one of the most competitive and intriguing brackets this season. With a diverse mix of top-tier teams from various suburbs, central Illinois, the Quad Cities, and Chicago, it's anyone's game.
At the forefront of this mix is Brother Rice, the Public League powerhouses with a stellar record and a formidable defensive line led by King Liggins, Kameron McGee, and Brayden Parks. The Crusaders' high-powered offense, spearheaded by Army recruit CJ Gray, averages 36 points per game, making them the team to beat in the bracket.
However, a dark horse contender is Batavia, who has faced stiff competition from Glenbard West and St. Charles North this season. Despite being seeded second, coach Dennis Piron's squad boasts a dynamic quarterback in Michael Vander Luitgaren, with 135 passes for 1,856 yards and 21 touchdowns under his belt.
Meanwhile, Carmel is looking to pull off an upset on the road against Brother Rice in the quarterfinals, thanks largely to star junior quarterback Trae Taylor. The 6'2" phenom has been lighting up the scoreboard with consistency, leading the Corsairs to five straight games with at least 38 points scored.
As the playoffs unfold, Carmel's path to the title game becomes increasingly daunting. A road win against St. Charles North would be a significant hurdle, and if they succeed, Glenbard West could be waiting in the semifinals. A four-game journey through Super 25 teams seems all too plausible for the young Corsairs.
In the end, it's clear that Brother Rice's experience and firepower make them the favorite to take home the championship title. However, with Carmel's Taylor at the helm, anything can happen on any given night. Will he prove to be the X-factor in a deep playoff run? Only time will tell.
O'Brien's predictions point to a thrilling semifinal matchup between Batavia and Brother Rice, setting up an epic showdown for the state title. Can the Crusaders continue their dominance, or will the Bulldogs' Piron lead his team to upset victory? The stakes are high, but one thing is certain – this Class 7A playoff bracket is going to be a wild ride.
At the forefront of this mix is Brother Rice, the Public League powerhouses with a stellar record and a formidable defensive line led by King Liggins, Kameron McGee, and Brayden Parks. The Crusaders' high-powered offense, spearheaded by Army recruit CJ Gray, averages 36 points per game, making them the team to beat in the bracket.
However, a dark horse contender is Batavia, who has faced stiff competition from Glenbard West and St. Charles North this season. Despite being seeded second, coach Dennis Piron's squad boasts a dynamic quarterback in Michael Vander Luitgaren, with 135 passes for 1,856 yards and 21 touchdowns under his belt.
Meanwhile, Carmel is looking to pull off an upset on the road against Brother Rice in the quarterfinals, thanks largely to star junior quarterback Trae Taylor. The 6'2" phenom has been lighting up the scoreboard with consistency, leading the Corsairs to five straight games with at least 38 points scored.
As the playoffs unfold, Carmel's path to the title game becomes increasingly daunting. A road win against St. Charles North would be a significant hurdle, and if they succeed, Glenbard West could be waiting in the semifinals. A four-game journey through Super 25 teams seems all too plausible for the young Corsairs.
In the end, it's clear that Brother Rice's experience and firepower make them the favorite to take home the championship title. However, with Carmel's Taylor at the helm, anything can happen on any given night. Will he prove to be the X-factor in a deep playoff run? Only time will tell.
O'Brien's predictions point to a thrilling semifinal matchup between Batavia and Brother Rice, setting up an epic showdown for the state title. Can the Crusaders continue their dominance, or will the Bulldogs' Piron lead his team to upset victory? The stakes are high, but one thing is certain – this Class 7A playoff bracket is going to be a wild ride.
I just got back from the most amazing road trip with my squad 
We drove through the mountains and it was literally breathtaking 
I mean, have you ever seen the sun rise over the hills at 5 am? It's like something out of a movie 
And we stopped at this tiny little café that served the most incredible coffee 
️ I swear, it was like a taste explosion in my mouth 
But have you seen Carmel's Taylor play? He's like a superhero on the field 
I'm rooting for those underdogs all the way! 
I mean, Brother Rice looks like they're gonna be tough to beat with that defense and CJ Gray's offense, but Carmel's Trae Taylor is giving me all the quarterback vibes 
. He's got the skills, he's got the size, and he's got the confidence. If Carmel can pull off a road win against St. Charles North, I wouldn't count them out just yet 
. Batavia's Michael Vander Luitgaren is looking like a dark horse contender, though - that guy's got some serious arm talent 
. And don't even get me started on Brother Rice... they're like the established power, but at what cost? Are they resting on their laurels or are they genuinely hungry for more? 
It's all about the nuances, you know? The way teams adapt and respond to each other's strategies is where the magic happens 
. Can't wait to see how it all plays out! 
. Brother Rice's got experience and firepower, sure, but what about Carmel's Taylor leading the charge on the road? That kid's got skills, but can he lead his team all the way to the top? We'll just have to wait and see... 
. The kid's got skills for days and leading his team to five straight games with at least 38 points scored? That's impressive! 
. Can't wait to see how it all unfolds and who'll come out on top!
coach piron must be doing something right with that dynamic quarterback michael vander luitgaren... the max thinks it's gonna be super close between these teams, especially with carmel facing off against brother rice and st charles north on the road. and can we talk about caj gray leading the charge for brother rice? 
. All these top teams and all they do is bash each other around, scoring tons of points... meanwhile, the chances of actual players getting hurt are through the roof 
. And don't even get me started on those fancy stats - 36 points per game? More like 36 injuries per game, if you ask me 
. I mean, what's the point of all this when someone's gonna break their leg and that's it for the season? Not to mention the drama and pressure on these kids... they're barely out of high school, already living the stress of a pro athlete 
. Can we just fast forward to the actual consequences of this sport already? 
! I don't know how they're going to handle the pressure, but it'll be fun to watch.
. Bring on the playoffs! 
it's all about these underdog teams making a statement and who knows what'll happen next 
. This is just too unpredictable for my taste 
. Bring it on! 