Southside Rivalry Simeon vs. Morgan Park

This game might have been the Game of the week in the Illinois. Both schools were undefeated and ranked Simeon coming into this contest in 6th and Morgan Park as 10th in the state on some polls. This game meant a lot to both programs because it also determined who will be the elite team in the city and also who would have the streets of Vincennes bragging rights. Last year, Morgan Park came back and edged Simeon out after the Wolverines had a 28-14 lead with eight minutes left in the fourth quarter. Simeon was determined to not let that happen this year. They jumped out early with a 7-0 league when Darius Scott picked off a pass and took it back 70 yards for a touchdown. He returned it so fast it was hard to see what happened. Defense held again and Simeon's offense got to show why they say they're "The greatest show on turf." Haratio Banks carried majority of the load and impressively hurdling a defender while in stride of a full sprint. Simeon scored on that drive making the score 14-0 and it would remain that way until the last couple minutes of the 2nd quarter when Robert Gregory would run in for another touchdown, leaving the score at half 21-0. Simeon was very impressive defensively in the first half, forcing three and outs and recording many sacks led by Dametrius Simpson who had three.

At the half Simeon wasn't satisfied while reflecting on the lead they had last season. They wanted to ensure they closed the Mustangs out this year, and that's exactly what they did coming out and scoring on their first drive with a long 50 yard touchdown pass from Robert Gregory to Demarius Reed. Reed would make another highlight on defense grabbing an interception in the Mustangs end zone. The game was taken away from the Mustangs after another offense touch down by the Wolverine's Darius Scott who scored another defensive touch down picking off another pass and taking it to the house making the score 48-0 at the point. With a running clock the game was soon over, but the Mustangs didn't stop fighting scoring two touchdowns before the end of the ball game. Both teams go into conference play while they are both expected to dominate for the rest of the season. The real challenge will come in the playoffs for both programs.

Battle of Proviso's East vs. West

There are many legendary rivalries in high school sports but this may be one of the most intense of all in the West Suburban Conferences. Proviso East vs. Proviso West, two schools less than 15 minutes from each other, clash yet another year for bragging rights of the Bellwood/Maywood area. Last year, Proviso West smoked Proviso East 44-6, with majority of the work being done by former Proviso West star, now USC freshman Kyle Prater. He's gone to college and this season Proviso East desperately needs a win starting off 0-2. West wants to continue their program as legit outside of Kyle Prater being 2-0 and they are fighting to continue the momentum. This Saturday was also a day of reflection as nine years ago that day, tragedy occurred in the U.S. with the terrorist attack on the twin towers New York City. So prior to the football game a ceremony was held to remember all of the Americans we lost during the 9/11 attacks. After the ceremony the two teams stepped on the field to play their hearts out. This game had more tension than usual because two of Proviso East's starters transferred to West for their senior season; one of them being standout lineman T. Glover. This left a very bad taste in the Pirates mouth and they were definitely out for blood against the Panthers. This being Proviso West's homecoming it seems as if they weren't thinking about the rivalry but more like they were trying to send a message. They dominated on both sides of the ball the defense pitched and shutout and the offense scored 40 points. There were a lot of unnecessary, but expected, personal fouls during the ball game. And the game was not much to watch after the second quarter. Proviso West showed for the third week in a row they have established a running game, but still could go to the air with deep threats like Clarence Heath and Ryan Woods.

Proviso West will look to stay undefeated against York High School next Friday and Proviso East will try to get their first win next week against Willowbrook who is also lacking wins this season.

CLIPS BELOW

Proviso East vs. Proviso West Week 3 Clips from GameTime Pros on Vimeo.

York vs. Oak Park River Forest

The third week of the season is very important for many schools because in many ways this may determine whether they are a pretender or contender for the state playoffs. This week we saw West Suburban Silver rivals Oak Park River Forest host the Dukes of York. The Oak Park stadium was packed but due to technical difficulties the games started late and varsity didn't kick off until around 8:30pm. This game was much more than a regular WSC rivialry, this was a family feud between Jim Nudera Sr., Oak Parks Head Coach and Jim Nudera Jr., Yorks starting quarterback. The beginning of the game was very interesting with Oak Park Fullback, Sawvanche Wonsey, scoring on their first drive. York quickly returned the favor scoring on their first possession as well. Oak Park followed with another score that, unknown to many, would be their last score of the game. York's defense chose to dominate for the rest of the game. Defensively clicking on all cylinders, they took the breath out of Oak Park's offense. York's offense was mostly carried by Ryan Kent who had 205 yds rushing and 3 touchdowns. QuarterBack Jim Nudera only completed 3 passes the entire game with two being for touchdowns. Next week, York will face 3-0 Proviso West at home while OPRF will be seeing 3-0 Glenbard West at their field, both interesting match ups.

Not many clips of this game we got kicked off the sideline because of lack of credentials.

Oak Park River Forest vs. York High School Week 3 Clips from GameTime Pros on Vimeo.

Rita Vs. Portage IN (Akui Jumps over Defender & Brother Rice sends message)

For the Saturday, Game Of The Week, we chose to watch St. Rita play Portage Indiana. I find that it is still a pretty competitive game between these two teams. St. Rita is ranked as the third team in the state and is also well known as a football power house every season. People are expecting big things from their performance, especially with the return of their superstar running back, Jahwon Akui. The game was no less competitive as usual. But, near the end of the third, and all of the 4th quarter, St. Rita's offense gained momentum from the defense who picked off Portage's quarterback three times during two of the INT's during the second half. Also, Portage's defense did a good job holding Akui to only 87 yds and 27 carries with no touch downs. The final score was 22-0, but it wasn't an easy 22 point steal. Overall it was a good Game. I'm anxious to see the results of their next Game in East St. Louis. Check out some St. Rita highlights from the Game.

Rita Vs Portage (Rita Highlights Akui jumps over defender) from GameTime Pros on Vimeo.

-GameTime Ceo-

Hinsdale Central vs. Wheaton Warrenville South

For our Friday night Game Of The Week, we chose to watch Hinsdale Central play #1 Wheaton Warrenville South. This game was chosen for three reasons. First, to determine if Wheaton Warrenville was worthy to be called the number one team in the state. Second, to see how well Hinsdale Central would adjust after losing many big time players in the last season, most importantly John Whitelaw. The last and most significant reason is because Hinsdale Central is a client of GameTime Productions and watching all of our clients compete throughout the season is extremely important in carrying out our mission.

As for the game, Wheaton Warrenville came out on fire by scoring on the first play on their first drive of the game with a really impressive action pass from Reilly O'Toole to Titus Ochouno Davis, both of who had a great game. Hinsdale adjusted and held the Tigers to just one Touch Down the entire first half, scoring right before half-time to tie the game 7-7.


The dynamics were very interesting until the second half. Wheaton Warrenville gained momentum with a huge kick return. Followed up with a great short passing game to break the defense open. Once the flood gates were opened, they were never closed, as Wheaton Warrenville did not let their opponents close until after they scored three more Touch Downs while their defense pitched a second half shut out. Next week Wheaton Warrenville will be playing Maine South at 4 p.m. live on ESPN. Hinsdale Central will be against play Proviso East High School who lost big last week to St. Patrick

Here are some highlights from the Red Devils in Week 1

-GameTime Ceo-

Hinsdale Clips Game 1 from GameTime Pros on Vimeo.

I Wish He’d Stay Retired This Time

It was December 31st, 2006, in what was supposed to be Brett Favre’s last game. The Packers were finishing up a lack luster 8-8 season at the division champion Chicago Bears. The Bears, 13-3, had already locked up home field advantage throughout the playoffs and only played their starters for part of the game. The Packers go on to win that game 26-7, the closing chapter in Favre’s legendary NFL career.

“It’s a solid way to end” I remember vividly saying as my friends and I were getting our things together for a New Year’s Celebration. Not a defining moment, or going out on top like Elway did, but still solid. Favre did what he did his entire career: beat the Bears.
As that final whistle blew, Chicago fans in the stadium stood up out of their seats, and started putting their hands together for a rousing ovation. As I watched the TV in disbelief, it hit me what that ovation was for. The camera man then switched to the man wearing the white jersey with a green number 4. As Favre nodded his head and waved to the fans that loved to hate him for 15 years, my friends and I too got up and started clapping. “Thank God he’s done,” I said. “He beat us over and over every year, but man was he fun to watch. This is the end of a true legend of the game.”
It was quintessential Bears vs. Packers. The most storied, bitter, and well respected rivalry in the history of the NFL seemingly closed another chapter with Favre’s final game. The Favre era was done, but that ovation was truly deserved. Packer fans would have done the same to the same for Walter, Gale, Singletary, and Butkus. Favre has played his final game.
Or so we thought (sigh). As Favre was mulling his “1st retirement,” he decides to come back for one more shot with the Packers in 2007. Ok, I get it. Jordan did the same thing. Favre didn’t want to end on an 8-8 season and wants things on his own terms. I think the entire football fan base was happy to see him come back for one more. It gives us football fans a chance to watch the greatest quarterback to put on that storied Green Bay jersey and sling that football all around the field.
Sadly for Bears fans, the Packers win the division and go on to the NFC Championship. Sadly for Green Bay fans, Favre’s “last pass” of his “career” is caught by Cory Webster – who plays for the New York Giants. This was more story book for Favre: a gunslinger slinging away until the last whistle, seconds away from another Superbowl. It was true Favre fashion – making an errand pass by trying to create a play, something he’s done his whole career. Though it’s not the lasting image people (especially Green Bay fans) wanted, you cannot deny that it was quintessential Brett Favre. However, now he gets to walk off the frozen tundra in January for his final game – in front of a fan base who adopted him as their own.
Now, Brett Favre really is retired. Right?

Favre holds his press conference and gives up the game of football. He cries again, talks about the meaning of the game and how he is “almost positive” this is it. Now the Packers are ready to move on with Aaron Rodgers, who’s been waiting on the sidelines for a few years. As the off months pass by, there still wasn’t official word from Favre, but the Packer were holding firm. Aaron Rodgers is now our quarterback.

Whether this upset Favre or not, he decides to “retire” only to “unretired” and sign on with the New York Jets.
We have now entered the realm of the ridiculous. Why? Because he went to the Jets. Instead of playing his home games in the most historic stadium in the NFL, he is now playing his home games at a field that is shared with another team. I realize that Green Bay essentially forced him out at this point, but the Jets? Hell, the Jets are not even the #1 team in New York, and Favre chose to go there. With a season that was lack luster, Favre retired at the end of it (yet again) vowing never to come back.

Now we fast forward to last summer and Favre is “throwing the old pigskin” around the high school again. Getting the “itch” to play. Surely he isn’t coming back again, is he? The buzz starts and there are rumors of where he is going. He wants to go back to his old division – the rough and tumble NFC North, the black and blue division, the most historic division in football. That’s where Favre belongs, right? Well, let’s look at the choices
Green Bay Packers – Sorry Brett, you were just forced out and Rodgers is the QB of the future.
Chicago Bears – A couple of years ago, we would have welcomed you with open arms, Brett. However, now we have Jay Cutler fresh off of a 4500 yard pro bowl season in Denver. And he’s only in his mid 20’s!
Detroit Lions – Sorry Lions, no one in their right mind would ever want to play there.
This leaves the Vikings. A 10-6 team the year before Favre with the best back in the league and a nasty physical defense. But going to the Vikings or Bears would be sac religious, right?
Well, it doesn’t matter, because the Vikings have now signed the QB that would almost put them over the top. We all know what happened, the historic year for the 40 year old. The 33 TD’s and only 7 INT. Another NFC Championship game only to be ended by yet another interception. However, now many people are rooting against Favre. Though some wanted to see two legends in Manning and Favre face off in the Superbowl, the media darling Saints are the fan pick, the sympathy pick. Again, we all know the story.

That brings us to this season. Favre, after being “unsure” and text messages of “this is it” and leaving things up in the air, he has come back. After another off season of “what did Brett mean when he said ____,” he is back with the Vikings for his 20th NFL season. With more ridiculous notions and things like, “the leaders of the team flew down to Mississippi to get Favre,” he is playing again. But it’s not storybook, it’s annoying now. Though it may be a guy going out there for the love of the game, it feels more like holding a team hostage and picking up another $15+ million. With all that aside, here is my major issue:
Favre is one of those once in a lifetime players. A top 10 great ever to throw on the uniform. For me, I like seeing those guys in one, maybe two uniforms. I like to see them go out in style and class. When the legends retire, every stadium they visit should be a road show going away party. Why? They deserve it. When Cal Ripken announced his final year, he kept his word. Every stadium he played at had the number 8 on all the bases. Every fan in every stadium gave him a standing ovation. Favre deserved that at one point – especially from Bear fans (who already gave that to him, though prematurely). I wanted Favre to say at the beginning of any year that would be his last, “this is my last year, the game has been good, blah blah.” Now he gets to go out in class, in style. He would have been remembered for nothing but his brilliant play instead of his brilliant play and his 17 pending retirements. To me, that’s the tragedy.
Favre says this year is truly his last? Well Brett, we’ve heard that a number of times from you already. And this time, I don’t believe you. But I wish you would stay retired this time.

-Casey Ryan-

Football Season- Neuqua Valley Freshman Tryouts...

Today was the start of 2-A-Days for a lot of Illinois High School Football teams. I'm very excited to see what this season has in store and to see who's really got what it takes to make it to the State Finals and win a State Championship. Today we are going to talk about Neuqua Valley freshman tryout's. The reason we are focusing on their tryouts today is because many people were wondering and asking where did all the 3 time Champion AYL (American Youth League) Naperville Patriots Go???? Well majority of them took their talents to Neuqua Valley High School to play with the Wildcats. There are hundreds of kids trying out today for the A & B freshman teams we can't wait to see how today turns out for the former Patriots. Below are two videos of the freshman trying out GameTime's own Mikey Dudek and Dougie Difusco.

-GameTime Ceo-