Soucie: Class 2A semifinal breakdown

Class 2A entered the postseason with the most undefeated teams, so it isn’t surprising to see the field still have the most remaining with three left in the chase to the title.

The lone exception, Nashville, has proven to be a difficult out as well and its one loss came so early in the season it hardly seems like a factor now.

First round picks: 16-0

Second round picks: 8-0

Quarterfinal round picks: 4-0

Semifinal matchups

Tri-Valley (12-0) at Wilmington (12-0): Two teams that both have a long tradition of deep postseason runs, but Wilmington is taking a different path than usual, making hay in the 2A field rather than the 3A classification. Both teams haven’t really been pressed through the first three rounds and both teams have defenses capable of completely suffocating opposing team’s attacks. And while Tri-Valley has an extremely capable offense, it’s hard not to marvel at the way Wilmington runs the ball with such authority. The Wildcats haven’t even felt the need to throw the football yet in the postseason.

Pick: Wilmington

Decatur St. Teresa (12-0) at Nashville (11-1): St. Teresa has been an absolute powerhouse and has only been slowed for very small stretches this season. RB Denim Cook is one of the state’s best small-school runners and he will be a very difficult player to rein in. Nashville is yet another team that is rolling through the 2A field after having some success in the Class 3A field in previous years. Although Nashville’s last run in 2A did net a championship game appearance in 2019, a feat the Hornets would very much like to repeat, they will have their hands full trying to get back to Northern Illinois University’s Huskie Stadium.

Pick: Decatur St. Teresa