Coaches Eye New State Football Site

In the wake of the Illinois High School Association's decision tomove the finals of the boys' Class A and AA basketball tournamentsfrom Champaign to Peoria in 1996, some football coaches think it istime to move the site of the football playoffs, too.

With the exception of 1981 through 1984, when the championshipgames of the two largest classes were conducted in Northwestern'sDyche Stadium, all of the football finals have been played inIllinois State's Hancock Stadium since the playoff began in 1974.

Although crowds at Northwestern were larger, the IHSA returnedthe large-school finals to ISU, citing excessive costs. Now NUcoach Gary Barnett says he would welcome the high-school event.Illinois coach Lou Tepper says he would welcome the games, too.

"The playoff needs a more prestigious site," Richards coach GaryKorhonen said. "Most of the Class 5A and 6A teams are from theChicago area.."

Critics say they would rather play in front of 10,000 people atISU than 10,000 in Dyche Stadium or Illinois' Memorial Stadium.

REBUILDING JOB: Tom Mitchell Jr., son of retired Brother Ricecoach Tom Mitchell, is the new athletic director and football coachat St. Joseph in Westchester. Mitchell, 30, succeeds Paul Swaitley,who resigned to become an assistant on coach Ed Miller's staff atMather.

NEW APPROACH: Wheaton-Warrenville South coach John Thorne, whohas won 57 of 65 games in the 1990s, reports he is taking a differentapproach to the 1995 season "because we have a totally different teamfrom what we have had in the past." Thorne has a short quarterback,5-8 junior Tim Brylka, who is quick and runs the option well butcould lack the passing skills of last year's star, Tim Lester.Thorne also has an inexperienced junior tailback in Jemar Collins,state runner-up in the 400-meter dash..

PLAYER TO WATCH: Collins coach Jim Boggan says junior LamainRucker "is the best-kept secret in the city." Rucker, a 6-4,255-pound tight end and defensive end, is a three-year starter.

DANDY DOUBLE: Simeon coach Al Scott plans to launch his 25thseason on a high note. The Wolverines will host state power EastSt. Louis at 1 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 27, in Gately Stadium. TheSimeon-East St. Louis game will precede the traditionalRobeson-Julian opener that will kick off at 5 p.m. at Gately.

FUTURE ILLINI? Leo coach Mike Holmes, who played at Illinois,hopes quarterback Harold Blackmon will become an Illini. ButNebraska also is recruiting the 6-0, 195-pounder, who has 4.4 speedand runs the option well.