Where is the buzz for the second round?

Lack of stars and dominant teams dampen playoff fever

  

Not that having a resurgent Marmion Academy program, a scrappy Oswego squad and a frighteningly consistent Geneva team isn't any fun — any football at this time of year is.

But compared to a historic 2008 season, there is a bit of a hangover that these teams just haven't been able to remedy.

Last year both Geneva and Aurora Christian were dominant, undefeated programs with dynamic, record-setting individuals leading the way.

Even Oswego, which bowed out in the second round, featured several Division I talents, including 1,800-yard rusher Tim Riley.

The three remaining Beacon-News area teams could significantly ramp up the interest level with second-round victories — especially Geneva and Oswego, which would be considered underdogs this week.

And a win over Prairie Ridge would put this year's Marmion team on the doorstep of school and Aurora city history.

But right now, the 2009 football season had been kind of unfulfilling.

That happens, especially in high school football. Many of our programs were senior-dominated last year and they began rebuilding with young players.

Not that stats are everything, but last year this area produced four 1,000-yard rushers; an astounding four 2,000-yard passers (not to mention four more that topped 1,000 yards) and eight receivers that caught more than 45 passes.

This year, only two backs topped 1,000 yards and only four quarterbacks have passed for over 1,000 (although Geneva's Brandon Beitzel will join them this week). Just two receivers caught as many as 40 passes.

In fact, this year has proven to be worst statistically in some time, as the area leaders dating back to 2004 have put up monster numbers.

It was just a down year in that regard.

This area has gotten used to football lasting until Thanksgiving weekend as well, with Oswego (2003), Batavia (2006), Plano (2006, 2007) and last year's Eagles and Vikings recently competing in state title games.

But unlike those squads, the three remaining teams haven't exhibited that ability to dominate opponents. They are just well-coached, solid teams.

That makes it easy to root for them, but it also makes it hard for observers to project deep title runs upon them.

Victories this week could change all that, however, and would go a long way into injecting some much needed excitement into the end of this season.