Round 3
Hurricanes fans need to prepare for another attack on Saturday, November 15, when the second-seeded Kaneland Knights have mapped a path to Bloomington and a 3A state title. Like the the Hurricanes Round 2 opponent the Wilmington Wildcats the Knights have not lost all season long. Marian will be attempting to mar a perfect record for the second straight game and will be forced to do so on the road.
Kaneland enters this quarterfinal game against the Marian Central Hurricanes with a lot of intangibles. A perfect 11-0 mark that is littered with shutouts and blowouts, including a 94-35 scoring advantage in the 1997 post-season tournament. Seven times this year, Kaneland has eclipsed the 40-point plateau.
They've held opponents to two touchdowns or less on nine occasions, making the Knights the best defensive club in the bracket by almost a full field goal per game. Only Hall of Spring Valley - who will take on Marengo in their own quarterfinal contest - has a better point differential than Kaneland's +32.2.
The Knights will be hosting the 'Canes on the field where NFL speedster and four-time Super Bowl veteran Don Beebe once streaked to glory in 1982. Although those Knights never earned a playoff berth, Kaneland has turned into an instant powerhouse with their move into the Suburban Prairie Conference in 1995. Since the Little Seven Conference disbanded and forced the change, Kaneland has lost only three regular season games and just made the IHSA tournament for the third straight time.
This is the Knights' longest journey toward a title, however, giving the four-time state champion Hurricanes fans an upper hand in playoff experience.
Kaneland also may have a disadvantage with just two games in the regular season against playoff teams. The Knights managed just 42 points of offense while allowing 33 to those two schools. The Hurricanes, on the other hand, have faced 11 opponents in 1997 with a combined record of 59-43.
Quarterback Eric Delaney, running back Ryan West and scatback Kyle Schrader will be the three biggest problems for the 'Canes defense. West scored three times in the Knights' Round Two victory over Byron. Much of this offensive success can be attributed to the lineman blocking in the trenches. It took eight games before Delaney was sacked!
Linebacker Kevin Ivers and nosetackle Brian McInnis will have their work cut out for them. Both Marian defenders are coming off stellar outings as the Hurricanes registered six sacks on Wilmington's T.J. Hansen in Marian's 33-7 victory. When Hansen did have the opportunity to throw, the Wildcats' quarterback had to contend with defensive back Justin Diamond, who picked off a pass for the second straight game and third time in 1997. Diamond also joined Bill Schaefer with a team-high 10 tackles in Round Two.
The Knights will have more than Marian Central's championship legacy to contend with on Saturday. With an injury to T.J. Russel (broken hand), Ben Hartman picked up the slack with 23 carries for 191 yards. Hartman also crossed the goalline three times, including two long scampers of 30 and 49 yards. Quarterback Josh Nobilio's passing attack wasn't needed with Hartman running so well. Nobilio followed a 5-for-7, 42-yard first half with only one completion in the second. Russel is day-to-day and will likely see some time against the Knights. Even with Hartman's 871 yards on the season, Russel is the team leader with 936.
Opening Kickoff is slated for 6:00 p.m.
Saturday,
November 15
Hurricane Strikes Kaneland
But the Knights are still Standing
The Knights moved one step closer their quest for a State Championship Saturday night by beating Woodstock Marian Central Catholic High School Hurricanes on a snowy cold night 21-14.
| Kaneland | 00 | 14 | 00 | 07 | 21 |
| Marian CC | 00 | 00 | 14 | 00 | 14 |
Kaneland had a 14-0 half time lead. But Marian tied the game in the third quarter, with two solid drives against the Knights normally tough defense. But using a full house back field the Knights put together a drive of their own and with 7:50 left in the game scored the game's final touchdown.
For the complete game story see Knights weather storm.
Click Here for play by play of the game
Week Three Results
In the other Class 3A quarter finals game, Marengo beat Spring Valley Hall 7-6 in the northern pairings bracket.