Round 4
Preview ... The tournament committee for the IHSA has to like a Semifinal matchup that features the top two seeds, both of which are undefeated after twelve games. Marengo, under the guidance of head coach Kelly Camp, will be at home to take on the 12-0 Kaneland Knights for the right to advance to Hancock Stadium in Normal, Illinois.
The Marengo Indians don't seem to be as dominating as their record and seeding. Although the Big Northern Conference champ has faced and defeated tough competition this season - including handing Stillman Valley their only regular-season loss of 1997, a 21-0 shutout in week four. They also defeated archrival Harvard twice.
The Indians have endured two near-misses after blowing out Coal City to start the tournament. The confrontation with Harvard in Round Two required a blocked field goal, a fourth-quarter touchdown and two-point conversion to finally overtake the upstart Hornets, a team the Indians controlled just two weeks earlier 24-7.
The Hall Red Devils, Marengo's Quarterfinals opponent, were supposed to be on a collision course with Kaneland. Averaging 43.8 points a game during the regular season, Hall was beating their opponents by over 32 points a game. But ill winds and mental errors allowed Marengo to return home as a Final Four team.
In that game Indian quarterback Tim Moehling (#1) bulled his 6'3" frame into the endzone for the winning touchdown against the Red Devils, a fifth seed in the 3A bracket. That lone Marengo score held up when Hall failed to convert on a two-point try midway through the final period. But because no one could locate PK Shawn Burkman's kicking shoe, the Red Devils were forced to go for the lead instead of a tie. They failed. Marengo gladly took the 7-6 Quarterfinal victory, which offers support to the old addage, "It is better to be lucky than good."
The Indians have allowed just over eight points to opponents each week and have the second best defense in the 32-team Class 3A bracket. Of course, the best defense belongs to Kaneland. The Knights have allowed just 5.2 points a game with six shutouts entering the tournament.
"We're goin' to the Big Dance"
On their first possession the Indians
drove down field 84 yards to jump to 7-0 lead. But Kaneland quickly answered
with a drive of their own - not once - but three times for a 21-7 lead at the
end of the first quarter. Marengo who had not allowed more than 14 points
scored against them in a game all year, was shocked as the Knights had scored 21
points in just one quarter of play.
The Knights added two more TDs in the
second quarter for a 35-7 halftime lead.
In the second half the Knights focused on defense and added one more TD in the fourth quarter.
After the first drive the Knights never
let the Indians close to the Knights end zone again. The whole team played
awesome sacking Marengo quarterback Tim Moehling 5 times and intercepting 4 of
his passes.
Kaneland had 418 total yards to the
Indians 219. The Tribe was 13-41 passing while Delaney was 6-13 and 179 yards.
Kyle Schrader had 135 yards on 17 carries and Ryan West had 3 touchdowns, one on
a 42 yard punt return.
| Kaneland | 21 | 14 | 00 | 06 | 41 |
| Marengo | 07 | 00 | 00 | 00 | 07 |
Knights ended up beating the Indians from Marengo 41-7 to earn the right to play on the big carpet. And now there is only one game left.
For the complete game story see We're going to the big dance.
For the stats of the game click here.
For the play by play of the game click here.
Week Four Results
Kaneland's next (and last) opponent Harrisburg beat number nine seeded DuQuoin 34-14. Adam Tomkow had 3 TD runs for Harrisburg. Deke Rivers added a couple of touchdown spurts, including a 64-yard score. Harrisburg will be playing in its first title game since a loss to Morris in 1980.
In Class 4A, New Lenox (Providence) beat Morris 34-17. Providence will be seeking its 6th title, and fourth consecutive championship. And Metamora beat Pontiac 24-14. Metamora will be making its 5th appearance in the title game. It won the Class 3A title in 1975.
Schedule of IHSA Title Games for 1997
Class 6A
#2 Lincoln-Way (13-0)
vs. #9 Addison Trail (12-1), 2:30 p.m., Sat.
Class 5A
#2 Woodstock (13-0) vs. #1 Rock Island (13-0), noon,
Sat.
Class 4A
#4 Providence
(12-1) vs. #2 Metamora (13-0), 7 p.m., Fri.
Class 3A
#2 Kaneland (13-0) vs. #2 Harrisburg (12-1), 4:30 p.m.,
Fri.
Class 2A
#3 St.
Joseph-Ogden (12-1) vs. #1 Mowaqua Central A&M (13-0), 12:30 p.m., Fri.
Class
1A
#4 Galena (13-0) vs. #10 Toulon Stark Valley (12-1), 10:00 a.m., Fri.
All games at Hancock Stadium Illinois State University, Normal