Thoughts from the IHSA State Football Finals

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6.5 ain't bad

The 2017 IHSA Football State championships overall were the best group of games since the start of the 8-class system in 2001. With the exception of the Class 5A Phillips 33-7 win over Dunlap and the second half of the Class 3A Immaculate Conception 35-0 win over Pleasant Plains, you'd be hard pressed to find a better group of evenly-matched games since we started the 8-class system.

NIU just works

NIU hosted the 2017 IHSA Football State finals this past weekend at Huskie Stadium for the second time over the past three years. Should NIU be the consistent host? 

It just works.

While Huskie Stadium may lack some of the more recently upgraded modern conveniences of say Memorial Stadium in Champaign, it's hard to argue that the games at NIU don't have a better overall look, sound and feel in the smaller Huskie Stadium. The overall location also seems to be helping attracting more fans in attendance overall.

Biggest fan draw this past weekend? The Class 7A game seemed like the biggest overall attendance and Batavia by far had the biggest overall fan support.

Issues? Some fans complained about a lack of open concession stands (especially on Friday) yet overall, most fans I spoke with really enjoyed NIU.

Coolest move this past weekend? Kudos to Immaculate Conception, head coach Bill Krefft and staff for making sure that injured starting quarterback Luke Ricobene was able to take one more snap in the Knights 33-7 win over Pleasant Plains. Ricobene, who was a huge key in leading the Knights 2016 3A state title team was lost to a season-ending injury early in the regular season and took a knee in the Knights last offensive possession of the 2017 season. 

Underclassmen talent on display

The IHSA State Football Finals was a terrific stage for several players to be seen. Here are just a handful of underclassmen names who impressed this past weekend.

Lena Winslow sophomore TE/DE Isaac Bruce (6-foot-3, 240 pounds) - Bruce was simply an impact player on both sides of the football in Lena's for the Panthers and has been that way for the entire 2017 season. Bruce has good size, runs very well and has still room to grow and develop.

Dunlap junior WR/DE Josiah Miamen (6-foot-4, 215 pounds) - Miamen is a big, strong and physical two way player who has the overall size/frame and tools to play at the high college level.

Phillips junior TE Jahleel Billingsley (6-foot-5, 227 pounds) - Billingsley, who is already touting multiple BCS level offers is just a very high level athlete and player who presents a nightmare for any and all defensive backs at the high school level. Billingsley has great size. length and reach and also possesses very good speed. Billingsley is just one of multiple underclassmen Wildcats who stood out in the Wildcats win over Dunlap. 

Nazareth Academy junior WR/DB Michael Love (5-foot-10, 165 pounds) - Love is simply a play maker who can and will play multiple positions including receiver, running back, defensive back along with returning kicks and punts. 

Loyola Academy junior linebacker Armoni Dixon (6-foot-3, 220 pounds) - Dixon already has an early offer from Western Michigan and it won't be long before he's holding multiple BCS level offers. Dixon made huge strides in his game this fall and was a force in the Ramblers defense against Lincoln-Way East.

Lincoln-Way East sophomore WR/RB AJ Herring - Henning, who is also a standout sprinter for the Griffins track team already has scholarship offers from Illinois, Northwestern and Minnesota showed his exceptional speed and big play potential in the Griffins 23-14 win over Loyola in Class 8A.

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