By Mike Helfgot
The production is without a doubt a production, bigger than the game itself.
ESPN sent a 27-person production crew to Wheaton this week, five more than will be on the field for the two teams combined at any given point.
There are five camera crews set up around Red Grange Field, where viewers from across the nation will be able to see Wheaton Warrenville South host Maine South from every conceivable angle beginning at 4 p.m. Friday on ESPNU.
ESPN and Nike were a presence a this week at both Wheaton Warrenville South and Maine South , where camera crews and product hawking were a part of the school day.
The production is without a doubt a production, bigger than the game itself.
ESPN sent a 27-person production crew to Wheaton this week, five more than will be on the field for the two teams combined at any given point.
There are five camera crews set up around Red Grange Field, where viewers from across the nation will be able to see Wheaton Warrenville South host Maine South from every conceivable angle beginning at 4 p.m. Friday on ESPNU.
ESPN and Nike were a presence a this week at both Wheaton Warrenville South and Maine South , where camera crews and product hawking were a part of the school day.
Even Mike Ditka is allegedly on hand to get in on the commercialism -- so
says a man in the parking lot promoting a new Web site for high school
athletes. Another guy decked in Wheaton South orange just walked through
the cafeteria saying Ditka would be delivering the home team's pregame
pep talk.
Da Coach's entrance should coincide with a pregame concert that has been teased all week by a promotion called "Who is Mr. Black?"
Wheaton South coach Ron Muhitch called the atmosphere a zoo earlier in the week, leaving him concerned that the game itself could turn into an afterthought.
"I'm not sure what's going on inside my kids' heads," Muhitch said. "I know any time I mention ESPN, it is big enough for the adult world in sports, let alone what is going on inside a kid's head."
Even without the presence of the network that forever changed the sports world, Wheaton South-Maine South would be a huge high school football game.
Each won a state championship last season, with 7A champion Wheaton South's lone loss coming to undefeated 8A champion Maine South, 27-9 in Week 2.
.
Wheaton South returned more core players from last season and is ranked No. 1. The Tigers defeated Hinsdale Central 28-7 last week behind Illinois-bound quarterback Reilly O'Toole, who threw for 276 yards and three touchdowns on 15-of-21 passing.
For the first time since Nov. 10, 2007, Maine South lost last week, a 29-17 comeuppance delivered by Schaumburg. The Hawks, No. 2 in the preseason and riding a 28-game winning streak, dropped to No. 8.
Gone are 2009 state player of the year Matt Perez and QB/LB Tyler Benz, but it would be foolish to count out a program that went 117-12 and appeared in six state finals the last 10 years.
The winning streak is history, but Maine South coach Dave Inserra believes the Hawks will remain formidable with a pair of quarterbacks, junior Jimmy Frankos and sophomore Matt Alvitti, sharing the position.
Da Coach's entrance should coincide with a pregame concert that has been teased all week by a promotion called "Who is Mr. Black?"
Wheaton South coach Ron Muhitch called the atmosphere a zoo earlier in the week, leaving him concerned that the game itself could turn into an afterthought.
"I'm not sure what's going on inside my kids' heads," Muhitch said. "I know any time I mention ESPN, it is big enough for the adult world in sports, let alone what is going on inside a kid's head."
Even without the presence of the network that forever changed the sports world, Wheaton South-Maine South would be a huge high school football game.
Each won a state championship last season, with 7A champion Wheaton South's lone loss coming to undefeated 8A champion Maine South, 27-9 in Week 2.
.
Wheaton South returned more core players from last season and is ranked No. 1. The Tigers defeated Hinsdale Central 28-7 last week behind Illinois-bound quarterback Reilly O'Toole, who threw for 276 yards and three touchdowns on 15-of-21 passing.
For the first time since Nov. 10, 2007, Maine South lost last week, a 29-17 comeuppance delivered by Schaumburg. The Hawks, No. 2 in the preseason and riding a 28-game winning streak, dropped to No. 8.
Gone are 2009 state player of the year Matt Perez and QB/LB Tyler Benz, but it would be foolish to count out a program that went 117-12 and appeared in six state finals the last 10 years.
The winning streak is history, but Maine South coach Dave Inserra believes the Hawks will remain formidable with a pair of quarterbacks, junior Jimmy Frankos and sophomore Matt Alvitti, sharing the position.
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