Wolves Get Another Shot to Make Championship Game

Prairie Ridge @ Batavia 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 19

Most teams would be more than happy to just be in this position. The Wolves sit at 11-1 and one win away from playing for the 6A state title.

But has been here before. In fact they've been here a lot.

The Wolves have lost in the semifinals the last two years, losing to eventual champions, Cary-Grove in 2009 and Rockford Boylan in 2010, the last two years.

And now they travel to Batavia to take on on the undefeated Bulldogs who are outscoring their playoff opponents by a combined 108-45.

But don't count the Wolves out. Prairie Ridge has outscored their playoff opponents by a combined 139-14 and their only loss came in a overtime defeat to a tough Cary-Grove team.

Getting to know Batavia (12-0):

Senior Noel Gaspari will be the best quarterback the Wolves have faced. He's thrown for 2,786 yards and 27 touchdowns while only getting picked off four times.

When the Bulldogs get close to the goal line, the Wolves will have to stop the 6-1, 245 pound Alec Lyons, who leads the team with 13 touchdowns.

Batavia has never scored less than 31 points in a game this season.

On defense, the Bulldogs have given up over seven points only four times in their 12 games.

Overview:

This is about as even a matchup as you can get, which isn't unusual this late in the playoffs.

The Wolves are scoring 43 points a game. The Bulldogs, 42. The Wolves are allowing just 8 points game. The Bulldogs, 10.

Both teams have faced seven teams that made the post-season.

Neither defense has faced an offense that has scored over 40 points a game, until this weekend.

Prairie Ridge has faced tougher competition throughout the season.

Going to the game? Here's how to get there:

Batavia High School: 1201 Main Street, Batavia, Illinois 60510

Take Rte. 31 south for 23.5 miles and turn right on Main St. The estimated travel time is an hour. Click here for a map and directions.