All of the fall and winter success begs the question, who’s next?

I think I have the answer, but I’ve taken flack for previous predictions in both print and on social media.

So, here goes nothing.

Herscher Sectional (Girls Soccer)

Last Friday, Manteno captured a 2-1 overtime win over rival Peotone while Herscher edged Joliet Catholic Academy 2-1 to punch tickets to the Herscher Sectional.

Illiana Christian and Chicago (University) will join the Panthers and Tigers and battle for a trip to the Morton Super-Sectional. Manteno will play Illiana Christian while Herscher takes on Chicago (University).

Both the Panthers and Tigers figure to make the semifinal rounds an undercard to Friday’s championship match.

Manteno-Herscher Rivalry

So far, last year and this year are mirror images of one another.

Herscher won last year’s regular season matchup before falling 1-0 in last year’s 1-0 sectional championship.

During this year’s regular season matchup, I predicted on Twitter the Tigers would fall to the Panthers. Herscher’s Devyn Devore and Jillian Milton shoved that tweet down my throat each scoring twice in a 4-1 win.

But, the reality is a program like Manteno’s has been so successful winning two state championships over seven years. Its season is defined by its postseason run and not by its regular season record.

Will Manteno make history repeat itself?

Manteno is battle tested with the area’s best player.

Jordyn Shipp will go down as one of the most prolific goal scorers in area history. The junior was a starter on Manteno’s 2014 state championship team and has scored over 30 goals in back to back seasons.

Manteno defender Stephanie Sotiropoulos is outstanding for this level. Sotiropoulos neutralizes most offensive attacks at the 1A level with her athleticism and soccer acumen.

How Herscher could prevent it?

Manteno’s duo is currently unmatched but soccer is played with 11 at a time and these baby Tigers are roaring.

Herscher coach Chris Longtin has the luxury of pumping quality players in and out of the game. Freshman Jillian Milton is a multifaceted player capable of marking a team’s best player or blasting a bunch of goals. Midseason addition Mattie Brown possesses breakaway speed and a knack for scoring

Herscher possesses a distinct advantage at the goalkeeper position as sophomore Abbie Kukuck has emerged into one of the area’s best.

While the freshmen don’t know the feeling of losing in the sectional final last year, senior captains Devore, Stephanie Allison, Olivia Chavers and Chelsea Schwarzkopf all vividly remember the agony from Manteno’s celebration.

The Prediction

History says young teams don’t bode well in the postseason and, at first, I wasn’t sure what I thought about a Herscher-Manteno rematch.

My first inkling was the Tigers were a year away from bursting to the top of area girls soccer.

Then I watched a young team blossom right before my eyes grinding out a win over a talented Joliet Catholic team last round.

Shipp will probably get hers like great players do, but the Tigers are too deep, too talented and too motivated.

Herscher is ready for the big time. It will be the first of multiple sectional championships for this crew.

I’ve learned my lesson picking against the Tigers.

Prediction: Herscher 2, Manteno 1