The IHSA football playoffs would have been completed last week in a normal year. Of course, 2020 has been anything but normal with the football season in Illinois thrown for a loss by mitigations put in place by the coronavirus pandemic.
This was the first fall in 30 years, St. Bede head coach Jim Eustice, 53, wasn’t on the sidelines. He played at Ottawa Marquette, IVCC and Southeast Missouri, where he quarterbacked for future NFL coaches Jon Gruden and Marty Mornhinweg. He said it was very difficult not to have football, but the contact days helped fill the void some.
“We used as many contact days as we could sharing the athletes with other sports. The kids just loved them and were happy to be a part of the structure,” he said. “Our mental health was tremendous, but now that winter is on hold it’s tougher to keep them positive. Our kids are resilient and I’m proud of them.”
Eustice is hoping the IHSA allows more contact days coming up in January.
Mat Pistole, 35, was eager to get back at for his second season at his alma mater (Class of 2003) and felt lost without football.
“It wasn’t the best fall I’ve ever had. I’ll tell you that. I miss our kids more than I can describe and can’t wait until we can get back around them regularly,” he said. “It was really tough with the limited interaction we’ve had with our kids to help/mentor them like you typically like to. That has bothered me.
“On top of that, we were pretty eager to get back to work on our ascent back up to where we belong as a program. To not get that chance this fall was a tough pill to swallow.”
Nick Guerrini has taken over as head coach at Hall, his alma mater. This is his first head coaching position. He said fall is for football and it was very difficult not to play.
“The group has put a lot of time, work and focus in for the 2020 season. It’s tough for all levels, but the seniors have really worked towards this their entire high school career. I hope we still have the opportunity in the spring,” said Guerrini, who capped Hall’s miraculous come-from-behind, last-minute victory in the 1995 state championship with the game-winning touchdown.
This was the first time Princeton coach Ryan Pearson wasn’t on a sideline as a player or coach since he was in the fourth grade, some 31 years ago. He said it’s been hard on everyone.
“Honestly, it was extremely tough. It wasn’t just tough on myself, it was tough on my coaching staff and our kids and it was extremely tough on the families of all of our kids,” he said. “We had pretty lofty goals set for ourselves and I know just how hard our kids have worked for months to get this opportunity. To see them get stripped of that, at least momentarily, our hearts went out to all of them and their families.”
The kids have equally missed the game.
It was especially hard to take at Princeton where the Tigers had high hopes to take the next step to the state finals after falling to Byron in the 3A semifinals.
“It was pretty tough because we have been anticipating this season ever since the loss in the semifinals. We knew that we had a shot to make it far again, but I guess we have to wait,” PHS senior quarterback Tyler Gibson said.
PHS senior lineman Grant Foes said it was very tough watching other states and people play, “but we just have to look forward and hope we get our chance come spring.”
BV junior Adam Johnson has grown up around the game on the sidelines with his dad, Craig, longtime Storm assistant coach, and they missed out on that bond this fall.
“It was really difficult not to be able to play, because football has been a huge part of my life for as long as I can remember. I always have enjoyed getting to compete and not getting to do that this fall was a bummer,” said Johnson, who plays quarterback, safety and some cornerback.
What did you miss the most?
Pistole: “Being able to talk/see all of our kids each day, ask them how their day was, help them navigate life, and see them get better as men and football players. Not being able to see them has been the toughest part of all of this no doubt. I also missed the camaraderie that you build with your coaches being around them as much as we are during the season.”
Eustice: “Not being out there with them for games on Friday nights was the most difficult. It certainly makes you not take ANYTHING for granted anymore.”
Guerrini: “I missed the game. I enjoy being around it and miss seeing the development of where some of these kids started to where they are now.”
Pearson: “What I missed the most was the entire process. We didn’t get to bond as much as we usually do in the weight room, out on the practice field and in the film room. Those are things I cherish and those are moments I truly feel our bonds are built as a team and individually. Obviously, playing the games are the reward for the process but months are spent preparing for those moments. We have a tremendous group of kids that take pride in wearing that jersey and representing our program, our high school and our community. I can’t wait for them to get their opportunity in the spring.”
Johnson: “I think the things I missed the most was just getting to go out there every day with the guys and compete. A lot of the guys I play with are my best friends, and those experiences with them are definitely what I have missed the most. There’s also nothing quite like a Friday night of football, and those nights I have missed a lot as well.”
Foes: “I definitely missed the bond that is created every year between the stands and players.”
Gibson: “I miss the weeks where it would be filled with anticipation leading up to each game. I miss the practices, being with every coach and teammate, and I especially miss the feeling of the Tiger Walk and the fans erupting after a touchdown.”