2004 6A Finals Preview

Saturday Nov 27th

6ANew Lenox (Providence)(12-1) vs.Bloomington (HS)(12-1) 10am

6A Playoff Bracket

New Lenox (Providence)
Matt Senffner is Providence football. Or at least he's the only coach the Celtics have ever known. Senffner has been the first & only head coach at Providence since their first season in 1968.

While Senffner's first few years may not have reflected what was to come, his teams were 2-21 over the first 3 years. What was to follow will someday land him in the Illinois coaches Hall of Fame. With the Celtics' last losing season coming in 1980, the Celtics under Senffner haven't looked back & the 10 title games & 8 titles are proof that he hasn't either.

The Celtics finish 9-3 last season, making it the first time since 1993 they finished a season with less than 10 wins. It also stopped their run for a 3 straight title & fourth straight title game. But back on track the Celtics have stormed into Champaign for another shot at the title.

At the helm of the Celtics offense is Casey Colbert (QB 6'1 175 sr.) who's 56% completion percentage and 1577 yards passing has helped keep the defense honest and allowed Parker Cleveland (RB 5'8 163 sr.) to hide behind his hulking line as he breaks off on runs up field. While all the credit can't go to his offensive line, (he got amazing break away speed) Cleveland's 6.7 yard average may have a little to do with his front five weighing in at 6'0 259 lbs.

While last season's 9-3 finish may have been celebrated by other schools with a simalar record, the only solace that the Celtics found is that many of it's junior heavy squad would be back for 2004.

After coming out of one of the toughest conferences in the state, theChicago Catholic (Blue), with just one loss, a 20-19 loss to 8A Brother Rice, the Celtics have rumbled through the playoffs like a dump truck in a nytroglycerin plant, pummeling city teams, down state favorites & football powerhouses. With the exception of the Celtics semi-final game vs. conference foe Mt. Carmel which saw a 16-15 OT game go in favor of the Celtics to place them in their 11th title game.

Bloomington (HS)
Bloomington's Purple Raiders are trying very hard to avoid becoming the equivalent of Illinois' version of the Buffalo Bills when they face the Celtics for their 3rd title game in as many years.

In the Raiders favor is their defense. An aspect of their game that has kept them in many contest without having to sweat having a big lead. During the regular season Bloomington's defense lead by LB Shane Schubbe (45 solo 60 asst tackles) & DT Matt Logsdon (19 sacks) never gave up more than a TD in all it's but it's lone loss to Normal Community West.

While the defense has been almost as impressive as they were in the regular season, it has definitely helped out more as they've won only their 1st round game by more than 2 TDs. Including a 2nd round squeaker against Triad HS.

On the offensive side, Bloomington has rushed for 3300 yards this season, but has rarely gone to it's passing game. Senior & two way player Adrain Arrington is the teams leading scorer & rusher with 14 total TDs & 1048 yards on the ground, while the other 2000 yards have been broken up over the season by David Simmons, Chris Jameson & QB Brent Holtz.

Bloomington's first ever finals game was in 1991 where they lost to Providence 9-3. Providence has also ended Bloomington's hopes at a title game in 1999 & 2001.