Just be thankful you weren't on the Clam Architecture/Distracted Driving Tour from the bar to the stadium. Truly terrifying and I think his beverage count was only 2.

After his 2nd blown stop sign I found myself wondering if his car had side curtain air bags.

While I agree that Refs and penalties rarely decide the game, these befuddled refs did not help the Hitter cause at all.

Time management is a bigger issue that needs to be addressed. Too many timeouts with winding down play clocks. Could have used one at the end of the 4th to set up the field goal instead of throwing to stop the clock on 3rd down.

Still one of the best damn games ever.

Personally, I think it was defense gem. But not one of the best games that I have ever seen. Offensively...both sides had off days...IMO, of course. I only thought there was one clock generated T/O. Maybe I was drinking Manhattans from a flask at the other times it happened. Would have been one of the best games ever had the outcome been different.

I cannot fault the play calling as I simply do not have any idea what I would do in those situations...as I am not a football coach. I have a hard time questioning a guy who has gone 25-2 in his last two seasons.

This game was excellent. But Montini vs. JCA was a classic.

Hats off to the 2009 Hitters on a great season, even if it came up short in overtime in the championship. I echo the sentiments of a previous poster that the team brought great joy to the community with the title run.

GW is now 1-2 in the championship game with both loses in overtime and considered to be classic championship games. We are still talking about the 1976 team today and in 30+ years I am sure we will remember the great team of 2009.

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In 1976, GW also was first on offense. They scored on 4th down and then elected to go for two and came up short. St Laurence scored and then kicked an extra point to win. Bill Duchon had a tradition of awarding gold helmets to outstanding players, which is why some of the GW players do not have the white helmets.

Here is the overtime video clip from a WGN sports highlight reel (which might take a second or two to load). Go to the link at 41.37.

Memorable Moments In Chicago Sports: 1976 5A Championship - Glenbard West vs St. Laurence

Has anyone seen if the Wheaton flag is atop the CC yet?

That was a great game, disappointing outcome.

Clam is right, that key penalties that went against West would likely not have been reviewable by replay. Keep in mind, one play that went FOR GBW (fumble out of bounds at the 1 yard line in the 4th quarter) may very well have been overturned w/ a replay to result in a touchback for WWS instead of a subsequent GBW TD.

As much as it pains me to say this, Clam is absolutely right--penalties are not reviewable through instant replay. Instant replay is used for possession/in boounds vs. out/touchdown or not/fumble or not/ball placement and the like.

From my point of view, the late hit penalty was a direct result of the WWS coach working the refs after the roughing the kicker call. Call it a make up call if you'd like. I'd rather call it a respect call for the WWS coach.

ABC football also dictates that you get the ball in the middle of the field for a last minute kick. Several times on Sat. I thought the GBW coaches were trying to get a little too cute. Just do what you do best. Run the 6 headed monster down their throats. Just what they did in the 4th Q with great success.

The fake punt was also a coaching mistake. Not for calling the play, because it worked to perfection. It was a mistake for not telling the refs about it before hand (pregame) so that when it happened, you wouldn't get the blown call.

All in all, one of the greatest games I have ever seen. Young men playing their best game-on the biggest stage. Many for the last time. The purity of high school football (or any other HS sport for that matter)is the geatest attraction. These young men play the game for the right reasons--for the love of the game. Not for money, endorsements or fame, but because they just love to play.

Only thing better would have been a W, but these young men have earned the right to hold their heads high. They gave GE a great ride.

Well done Hitters. And thank you.

Michael Laning was all over the field. Playing out of his mind. Seems like his name came up every 3rd or 4th tackle.

Such a disappointing loss that its taken a few days to get around to posting. First, those two calls by the refs - the fake punt and the personal foul in OT were awful. I've heard that the refs apologized after the fact about the fake punt call - they knew they blew it. But the personal foul on the sidelines in OT was complete and utter crap. You could tell when it happened in real time and of course on the replay that it was b.s. A total makeup call because of the running into the kicker penalty. Which was a legitimate call, btw. I hate makeup calls. This isn't the NBA.

Second, as a spectator I gotta give begrudging congrats to the WWS fans and their well coordinated false-start-inducing cheers. Not sure if that came across on TV but they caused some problems for the Hilltoppers in the 2nd half. Became a real 12th man.

Argh, anyway, it was a fun game to watch, frustrating way to lose.