By Kevin Schmit Daily Herald Sports Writer
Posted on October 22, 2000
After an entire regular season of nine games, Hinsdale Central's playoff hopes
rested on a coin flip.
An unkind toss means the Red Devils will be on the outside looking in.
In the football pairings released by the IHSA Saturday night, Hinsdale Central
was the odd team out in a three-way tie for the final two of 192 playoff spots.
Fremd, Prospect and Hinsdale Central were all tied with 6-3 records and 36
playoff points, which is the total number of wins by their opponents.
The next tiebreaker, the total number of wins by defeated opponents, was also a
tie. The IHSA then used a three-way coin toss to break the tie, which Hinsdale
Central lost out on.
"Off the top of my head, what other criteria could you put in there?" said
Hinsdale Central coach Ken Schreiner, whose team lost a 27-26 overtime
decision to Downers North on Friday.
"I don't know what to say. That's too bad," he said. "I didn't realize it came
down to all this stuff."
Twelve area teams will be in the playoffs beginning next weekend, including
top-seeded Naperville Central (9-0) in Class 6A.
The defending state champion Redhawks open with Fremd (6-3), one of the
lucky coin-toss winners.
"We haven't scouted them, but they've always got good teams," said Redhawks
coach Joe Bunge.
Naperville Central suffered a string of key season-ending injuries this fall,
starting with quarterback Owen Daniels and continuing two weeks ago with
linebacker Ryan Amberson.
Friday against Glenbard East, the Redhawks lost another starting linebacker for
the season - Luke Summers with a pinched vertebrae.
"I still think we have as good a chance as anyone heading into this thing," Bunge
said.
Just like last year, all four DuPage Valley qualifiers are in the bottom half of the
6A bracket. That includes No. 29 Glenbard North (6-3), which will enjoy its
first playoff appearance since 1991 by traveling to play No. 4 Curie (9-0) of the
Chicago Public League.
"It's awesome," said Panthers senior Brian Mitchell. "It's the first time for all of
us. Hopefully, we can keep it going."
Wheaton Warrenville South (6-3), seeded 20th, will make its 13th straight
appearance by traveling to play No. 5 Plainfield (9-0).
"Everybody's going to be better than us out there, but we'll see what happens,"
said Tigers coach John Thorne. "We've been there before, maybe that'll help
us."
The fourth DVC qualifier is No. 9 Naperville North (8-1), which could play
Naperville Central in the quarterfinals.
Three of the four West Suburban Gold teams - Addison Trail (7-2),
Willowbrook (7-2) and conference champion Downers South (8-1) - are in 6A,
while Hinsdale South (7-2) is the largest school in 5A.
A great potential second-round game features rivals Downers North (8-1) and
Downers South, a game that would be on the Mustangs' home field.
In 3A, the Suburban Catholic tri-champions are each represented. Montini
(7-2), a state semifinalist last year, opens with Spring Valley Hall (7-2).
"Our goal is obviously to be a state champion, and we'll do our best - keep our
kids sharp and focused and try to build a little momentum as we go," said
Montini coach Chris Andriano. "It's all about confidence now."
St. Francis (8-1), seeded eighth, begins its third appearance in four years by
playing host to Rochester (6-3). Seventh-seeded Driscoll (8-1) will play host to
Bloomington Central Catholic (6-3).
Dates and times for all the playoff games will be released Monday afternoon by
the IHSA.
Dave Oberhelman contributed