Past 4A Champions

2005
2004Lombard (Montini) (13-1)
2003Addison (Driscoll)(14-0)
2002Addison (Driscoll)(13-1)
2001Addison (Driscoll)(12-2)
2000Joliet (Catholic)(14-0)
1999Joliet (Catholic)(14-0)
1998Chatham (Glenwood)(14-)
1997New Lenox (Providence)(13-1)
1996New Lenox (Providence)(14-0)
1995New Lenox (Providence)(14-0)
1994Belvidere (12-2)
1993Chicago Heights (Marian Catholic) (14-0)
1992 Oswego (HS)(13-1)
1991New Lenox (Providence)(14-0)
1990Joliet (Catholic)(14-0)
1989 Oak Lawn (Richards) (14-0)
1988 Oak Lawn (Richards) (14-0)
1987New Lenox (Providence)(13-1)
1986Tinley Park (H.S.)(12-2)
1985 Washington (13-1)
1984 Morris (13-0)
1983Woodstock (H.S.)(11-2)
1982 Geneseo(12-1)
1981Wheaton (North)(13-0)
1980Belleville (Althoff) (12-1)
1979Wheaton (North)(12-1)
1978Joliet (Catholic)(13-0)
1977Joliet (Catholic)(13-0)
1976Joliet (Catholic)(12-1)
1975Joliet (Catholic)(13-0)
1974Rockford (East) (13-0)

2005 4A Playoff Central

Welcome to Playoff Central. IHSFW.com gives you an in depth look at how the playoffs may take shape, by putting you right in the middle of our information control room. We break down who we think is the best bet to win it all and who's the most likely challengers. We also give you a list of the dark horse teams, or sleepers, Those teams that are overlooked throughout the year, but may sneak up o you in the playoffs or those pesky 6-3 & 5-4 teams that don't know when to quit. You can also get the latest info on what games you should miss each weekend "The Big Game" & who the best teams in the state are regardless of class "The Big 30".

Brackets & Scores
1A / 2A / 3A / 4A / 5A / 6A / 7A / 8A

2005 Title Game Date & Time; Nov. 25th 7 pm

Last Years Champ; Lombard (Montini) (13-1) Runner-up; Coal City(12-2)

Favorites to win the title;Addison (Driscoll)(9-0)
Other Title Threats;Newton (8-1),Richmond (R.-Burton)(8-1),Mahomet (M.-Seymour)(8-1) &Byron(8-1)
The Dark Horses;Coal City(7-2),Stillman Valley(7-2) &Bloomington (Central Catholic)(7-2)

Favorites to win the title;
Addison (Driscoll)(9-0) - This isn't an out right call to the IHSA to just hand over the trophy for 4A to the Highlanders, but with just one other undefeated team in 4A, Driscoll could be headed for a big first in the state of Illinois. Five state titles in a row. And until someone knocks them off, we'll have them as our lone favorite to win the title.

Other teams have come close to winning 5 title in a row,Joliet (Catholic),New Lenox (Providence)&Chicago (Mt. Carmel)all got 4 in row, but failed at number 5. There are factors working against the Highlanders. last years' team was in 3A and their head coach for all 4 titles, Tim Racki, has made his way toLaGrange Park (Nazareth Academy)and is now their head coach, (they finished 3-6 this year). The Highlanders still have plenty of talent & LB Kyle Jenkins (6'4 220 sr.) has been starting for 3 years now and is a force on defense.

Other Title Threats;
Newton (8-1) - The Eagles finished 8-1 last year, but lost in the 1st round. The good news for Eagles fans is that they aren't playing another 8-1 team in the first round again. Newton has been our scoring teams by 24 points a game, close to the top in 4A for scoring differential. They also have the benefit of playing half of their schedule against 5A schools. And their lone loss came in week 9 at the hands of #20 Mt. Vernon (6A), whom they nearly beat, 25-21. The Eagles will be looking to make their first ever finals appearance.

Richmond (R.-Burton)(8-1) - The Rockets were set to claim the Big Northern (Red) Conference, but Bryon had different plans, as they beat them 21-14 in week 8. The Rockets Nate Roberts (QB/DB 6'1 175 jr.) is a serious two way threat. If he's not running or throwing for a TD, he might be deflecting a pass or worse yet, intercepting yours. With a possible rematch between Byron & Richmond in the 2nd round, Richmond could make some noise in the playoffs if they can handle Driscoll after that.

Mahomet (M.-Seymour)(8-1) - Mahomet-Seymour is 2 points away from being undefeated. After dropping a week #1 heart breaker to Prairie Central (7-2) in the last minute of the game, the Bulldogs went on a tear & beat everyone they needed to to win the title, with a little help from Pontiac & Bloomington Central Catholic. Jared Bosch (RB 6' 175 sr.) & Joel Gher (QB 6' 175 sr.) lead the Bulldogs with an offense that's scoring 38 points a game.

Byron(8-1) - Just like Mahomet-Seymour, Byron dropped it first game of the season. The Tigers are coming in to the playoff strong on the 8 game winning streak & a big week 8 win over previously undefeated Richmond-Burton. If the Tigers can get past a possible second round rematch with Richmond, they'll face Driscoll and as with any team in 4A that comes up against Driscoll, you'd better look at the game as if you made the state finals, or you will be going home early.

The Dark Horses;
Coal City(7-2) - The Coalers are one of those scrappy teams that will scratch out a win anyway possible. The Coalers beat Plano by a score of 7-6 in the first week, this was before everyone had realized that the Reapers may be the team to beat in the Interstate Eight. And in 2004 almost beat Wilmington with 2 safeties. Either way, Coal City was last years 4A Runner-up, and 2nd place teams always have a way of getting back the following season, but not always for the better, think Bloomington instead of Libertyville. With defensive players like Nick Bonarek & Nick Trotter, the Coalers will be working on punishing offenses as soon as the hike the ball. While, the Coalers are on the long shot side of making it back to the finals this year, a set of talented sophomores that have been producing for Coal City will do nothing but gain from this years playoffs no matter how the team does.

Stillman Valley(7-2) - The Cardinals are no strangers to the playoffs. And even at 7-2 having to possibly face the two teams that gave them their only losses, you have to include them in the mix. Head coach Mike Lalor, has done a tremendous job since he took the helm in 1998. Stillman has made the playoffs every year since & has 3 titles in those 7 years. The 1999 State Champs entered the playoffs at 7-2, before they took home the hardware. Their offense will have to be the key, they were out scored by 42 points in their two losses, only managing a lone TD & have a combined 27-63 points scored to points scored against when playing a playoff team.

Bloomington (Central Catholic)(7-2) - Although the Saints finished 7-2 this season they've managed to do something they haven't don in the past 9 seasons, beat Pontiac. While that didn't translate into a championship in 1996, it does set a president about how good this team could be this year. The Saints dropped a surprising week 3 game to Rantoul by a score of 6-0, and their other loss coming at the hands of Corn Belt Champs Mahomet-Seymour. With players like Illini bound Michael Hoomanawanui (TE/DE 6'4 235 sr.) playing both ways, the Saints may creep up on a higher seed or two & before you know it, their in the Finals.

4A Team stats