Past 5A Champions

2005
2004Joliet (Catholic)(14-0)
2003Joliet (Catholic)(13-1)
2002New Lenox (Providence)(14-0)
2001Joliet (Catholic)(13-1)
2000Chicago (Mt. Carmel)(13-1)
1999Chicago (Mt. Carmel)(13-1)
1998Chicago (Mt. Carmel)(14-0)
1997Woodstock (H.S.)(14-0)
1996Chicago (Mt. Carmel)(14-0)
1995Park Ridge (Maine South)(12-2)
1994New Lenox (Providence)(14-0)
1993Belvidere (14-0)
1992Wheaton (W. Warrenville South)(14-)
1991Chicago (Mt. Carmel)(12-2)
1990Chicago (Mt. Carmel)(14-0)
1989Chicago (Mt. Carmel)(13-1)
1988Peoria (Richwoods)(14-0)
1987Joliet (Catholic)(12-2)
1986Wheaton (North)(13-1)
1985Rockford (East) (11-3)
1984Peoria (Richwoods)(13-0)
1983Glen Ellyn (Glenbard West) (13-0)
1982Rockford (Guilford)(13-0)
1981Joliet (Catholic)(13-0)
1980Chicago (Mt. Carmel)(13-1)
1979East St. Louis (Sr.)(12-0)
1978Chicago (St. Rita)(13-0)
1977 Franklin Park (East Leyden) (13-0)
1976Burbank (St. Laurance)(13-0)
1975 Deerfield (13-0)
1974Northbrook (Glenbrook North) (12-0)

2005 5A 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. 26th 10 am

Last Years Champ;Joliet (Catholic)(14-0) Runner-up; Morris (13-1)

Favorites to win the title; Springfield (S.H.G.) (9-0), Metamora (8-1) &Sterling (H.S.) (9-0)
Other Title Threats;Belleville (Althoff) (7-2), Geneseo (8-1) & Maple Park (Kaneland) (7-2)
The Dark Horses;Lombard (Montini) (6-3),Chicago (Gordon Tech)(6-3) & Johnsburg (6-3)

Favorites to win the title;
Springfield (S.H.G.) (9-0) - When the cats away the mice will play, which is basically a theme for 5A this season, while many public 5A teams were glad to see Joliet Catholic and other private schools make the jump to 6A or 7A, they're still left with the Cyclones. Tight End Jeff Sanders (6'4 235 sr.) is part of the reason the Cyclones offense is kicking up 44 points a game. S.H.G. made it to the quarter finals last year before falling to losing a very heated game to Jacksonville. Barring some surprise upset the Cyclone will be in Champaign Thanksgiving weekend if they can get by Metamora.

Metamora (8-1) - With the added bonus of Morris making the jump to 6A as well as Joliet Catholic, this could be the year of the Redbird, as they look for their second state title and first since 1975.

Sterling (H.S.) (9-0) - The Golden Warriors have had an impressive run so far this year, Taking out Metamora in week #1 & Geneseo in week #6. This alone makes them a serious threat to win the title. With all the 5A quadrants being fairly equal with top notch teams, the path to the finals will be a challenge for them as with the other front runners. A possible quarterfinal rematch against Geneseo could be the deciding factor in whether the Warriors make it to the finals.

Other Title Threats;
Belleville (Althoff) (7-2) - Althoff started off the season by beating Triad (7-2) & Belleville West (twice the enrollment), but then dropped the next two game to St. Louis University & Mt. Vernon. Both teams finished the regular season undefeated & the Crusaders would go on to win their next 5 games. Triad, a 2nd seed in the same bracket as Althoff (who's the number one seed) could meet again in the quarterfinals.

Geneseo (8-1) - The Green Machine is rolling again. With Kyle Glazier (QB/DB 6'1 205 sr.) finding all kind of different ways to help the Leafs win. With a first round match up against dark horse Johnsburg, it might not be real easy, but Geneseo has a good chance to reach the semi-finals and get a shot to avenge their lone loss to Sterling in the quarterfinals.

Maple Park (Kaneland) (7-2) - The Knights were in championship form in the first half of the season, but had faltered on defense late in the season, losing their last 2 games. Kaneland needs a championship though, after struggling through the summer amid rumors of athletics being cut from the school district budget, these kids are playing for more than just hardware.

The Dark Horses;
Lombard (Montini) (6-3) - You can never count out last years champ. Unless of course they don't make the playoffs. While the Broncos are in 5A, it doesn't necessarily mean that they're be facing any tougher competition than they did in the regular season. With a non-conference schedule that had Sacred Heart-Griffin & 6A Geneva accounting for 2 of their 3 losses, the Broncos could break through the first or second round and have the momentum to believe they can get back to the finals.

Chicago (Gordon Tech)(6-3) - The Rams dropped 3 of their first 4 games, but have been on a tear even since then. Outscoring teams 195-48. While non of their wins came against a playoff team, though the Rams could make some noise in the weakest of the 4 playoff brackets.

Johnsburg (6-3) - We are still a little surprised that the Sky Hawks are 6-3. With plenty of talent that could end up at D-1A or D-1AA schools, the Hawks didn't live up to early preseason hopes. If head coach Jason Aubry can get his key players like QB Trevor Bupp & Kyle Fiedorowicz (TE 6'7 212 sr.) insinc for the playoffs. the Skyhawks may be able to salvage a season that started out with a lot of promise.

5A Team stats