Last week, the NFL announced that the New York Giants will star in the upcoming season of “Hard Knocks,” the popular HBO series offering fans a behind-the-scenes look at a team’s preseason training. This got me thinking about the Top 5 High School Football State Champion Teams in our area that would have made for fantastic TV. We’ve seen some incredible high school football teams over the years, and more than a few deserved the “Hard Knocks” treatment.
This got me thinking about the high school football teams in our Daily Herald coverage area. We’ve seen some remarkable teams over the years, and more than a few would have made for great TV.
This week’s High Five highlights five local high school teams that would have been perfect for a “Hard Knocks” type of show. But there’s a catch: we’re only considering state championship winners.
- Prospect, 2001
Cinderella stories make for great TV, so let’s start with the first Knights team to win a state title. The once-struggling program hadn’t won a playoff game in its previous four appearances, including a triple-overtime loss the year before. But the 2001 team turned it all around, going 14-0 and winning the Class 7A title with a 19-14 victory over Edwardsville.
- Stevenson, 2014
The Patriots had been knocking on the door with 25 straight playoff appearances. The previous year, they suffered a heartbreaking 15-14 semifinal loss to Loyola Academy. The 2014 season, their 26th, was filled with drama. Stevenson went 14-0, playing 12 playoff teams, including two games against Class 8A runner-up Homewood-Flossmoor. Four of their playoff games were won by a total of just 17 points. In the title game, they held off a late rally by the Vikings to secure a 31-25 win, preserving their perfect season.
- Batavia, 2013
Batavia was a perennial playoff team but had never won a state title until 2013. They had a near-perfect season, with their only loss coming in Week 2 to Richards—a loss they avenged in the 6A final. The Bulldogs’ program is known for its legacies, with many brothers playing for the team over the years. Quarterback Micah Coffey, a three-sport athlete who later played baseball at Minnesota, was the third of four brothers to play for Batavia and would have been a fantastic focus for a “Hard Knocks” show.
- Buffalo Grove, 1986
I was a senior at Buffalo Grove when Grant Blaney’s Bison won their only state title with a 26-6 win over Marist in the 6A final. Many considered this team one of the best in state history, and trust me, they would have been a fun group to follow. With defensive lineman Jan Gustafson, linebacker Jim Wagner, and quarterback Mark Benson, there was no shortage of great stories. Their defense was dominant, allowing only 32 points in five playoff games and barely more than 500 rushing yards all season.
- Wheaton Warrenville South, 1998
Many still consider this the best team in state history. The offense was incredible, with quarterback Jon Beutjer and receiver Jon Schweighardt forming a dynamic duo that could rival the best in the NFL. Childhood friends Beutjer and Schweighardt would have been the heart of a “Hard Knocks” season. And let’s not forget their formidable defense, which allowed fewer than 10 points per game.
Leave a Reply