Adam West is my Batman.
I’m old enough to remember the TV show but was too young to realize it was all a big joke, so when I think Batman, I think Adam West.
A comic book fan, I obviously am not. Sports always were my thing.
But now I get the Batman vs. Superman fascination, understand why fans were so geeked about the idea that the movie grossed $872.7 million worldwide.
It’s how I feel about Glenbard West finally playing Loyola.
The superpowers of high school football in the time that I’ve been on the beat, the Ramblers and the Hitters have had similar trajectories under 11th-year Loyola coach John Holecek and 10th-year Glenbard West coach Chad Hetlet.
Holecek has a few more losses, but the Ramblers are always in 8A and compete in a conference with fellow powers Mount Carmel, Brother Rice, St. Rita and Providence.
Hetlet has a 2-1 edge in state championships, but both those titles were in 7A. His No. 4 Hitters (10-2) have met every challenge they’ve faced, beating Mount Carmel last year and Neuqua Valley, Homewood-Flossmoor and Edwardsville in Edwardsville to reach Saturday’s semifinal showdown with the No. 1 Ramblers (12-0).
The game, like its 28-21 victory over then-No. 2 Homewood-Flossmoor, will be played at Glenbard West’s trusty Duchon Field, and it figures to be a mud bath.
At this point I feel the need to go back to the superhero analogy. And let’s face it, Hetlet and Holecek are both in great shape and could pull off a Batman suit.
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Hetlet’s Batman is undoubtedly Christian Bale, while Holecek is more of a Michael Keaton-Val Kilmer hybrid.
As for Superman, that’s Jake Marwede. Who else throws the ball, catches it, runs with and blocks – sometimes all in the same series?
On a sloppy surface with a terrific offensive line on his side, Marwede’s powerful running will be the difference as Loyola answers the age-old question about superpowers colliding with a 24-14 victory for Loyola.
CLASS 8A
Palatine (12-0) at Maine South (9-3): Maine South always has been known for its high-scoring offense. The Hawks were ahead of the curve when it comes to spreading the field, which is commonplace now but wasn’t when offensive coordinator Charlie Bliss began a string of producing all-state quarterbacks year after year.
Maine South’s state championship teams were also strong defensively, an area these Hawks have struggled with at times but have been better since letting linemen Kevin Jarvis and Sean McNulty pull double duty. I’m troubled by the 98 points Maine South gave up in its three playoff wins, but I’m also skeptical that Palatine can take enough advantage without injured quarterback Zach Oles. The Pirates defense is good, but the Hawks always find ways to score. Maine South 27-21.
CLASS 7A
Plainfield North (10-2) at Fenwick (11-1): Of the 12 teams each has played, none are the same, and 11 were from different conferences. Both teams easily beat a NIC-10 opponent in the playoffs. Fenwick’s lone loss came to Loyola, while Plainfield North lost to Oswego East, which lost to Loyola. So neither team is as good as Loyola. Other than that, it’s anyone’s guess. Plainfield North 21-16.
East St. Louis (12-0) at Benet (10-2): East St. Louis-Loyola is something I’d like to see. East St. Louis-Glenbard West too. Heck, East St. Louis-Prairie Ridge would tickle my fancy. Not sure anyone left in 7A can hang with the Flyers though. East St. Louis 36-17.
CLASS 6A
DeKalb (10-2) at Prairie Ridge (12-0): Prairie Ridge beat Lake Forest, an established program from a traditionally strong conference, 71-7 in the quarterfinals. What else needs to be said? Prairie Ridge 44-13.
St. Laurence (9-3) at Springfield Sacred Heart-Griffin (12-0): The Sometimes-Weekly Picks Blog went against its better judgment and backed St. Laurence against Lemont last week, and the Vikings rewarded it with another W. Last week’s 10-2 record gave the Sometimes-Weekly Picks Blog a 17-3 mark since Round 2 and 28-8 in the postseason. A perfect 6-0 week is more important than the tug I feel to stick with St. Laurence. Sacred Heart-Griffin 38-35.