wsptitle.gif (3028 bytes)

15 Consecutive Years of IHSA Playoff Tradition!

Welcome to Warren Warrior IHSA Playoff Central!

The Warren Warrior Football Program has become known as one of the best Class 1A football programs in the state of Illinois.   Their fifteen consecutive IHSA Class 1A playoff appearances is a state record.  It all began back in 1986, when a band of Warriors led by quarterback Cory Bizarri and running back Jim O'Brien went to Stronghurst and defeated the Southern Rebels in overtime to secure the first IHSA playoff berth in school history!  The following Wednesday, when the Warriors played their first ever playoff game in Wyoming, a tradition was born.  Even though they lost that evening, the "Playoff Tradition" started by coach Don Billington continues to this day.   Head coaches Jeff Wrede and Tim Engebretson have continued the winning tradition, now in it's fifteenth year and counting.  I am sure the string will eventually be broken (nothing can last forever, can it?) but the future looks bright as Warren regained the LTC West conference championship again in 2000.  Their second conference championship in the three years they have competed in the Lincoln Trail Conference.

Buried deep within the Playoff Statistics below are tons of memories.  Do you remember these?

  • Our first playoff victory over Carthage, probably the best 1A program in the state.
  • The thrilling comeback against Annawan only to lose by 1 in the last minute.
  • The 'snow-bowl' victory at Carthage
  • Shutting out conference champs Avon/Roseville in the freezing cold 31-0.
  • The double-overtime thriller in Annawan, scoring twice on 4th and goal to keep the game alive.
  • Storming the sidelines in Sterling Newman to 'back' our team.
  • The winning extra point against Lexington that didn't count.
  • Going undefeated in our first Lincoln Trail Conference season.
  • The long road trips to Carthage, Sterling Newman, Tuscola, Freeport, and Girard.
  • Seven conference championships.
  • 8 Sweet Sixteen, 4 Elite Eight, and 1 Final Four Appearances.
  • Sirens, tailgates, caravans, firetrucks, pep rallies, and more.
I am sure you have your own fond memories of the past 15 years.  I am also sure there are even more memorable moments yet to be played.  Whether you were a part of the past or just a curious fan, enjoy the stats below but remember, stats only tell a part of the story.  A story that started back in 1986 when a group of boys played with the guts and determination to push themselves to the next level.  Thanks for the memories, Warren Warriors!  Thanks for the tradition.

Listed below are all of the stats and scores from the past 15 years of IHSA Playoff History.  Click on a category to view each one.

 

IHSA Playoff History - By Year:

* Signifies Home Games.  Details Listed include Opponent, Opponent's Conference, W/L and Score.

Year-Class First Round Second Round Quarter Finals Semi Finals
1986-1A Wyoming, IV, (L 21-14)      
1987-1A * Carthage, WC, (W 22-20) Roseville, BC, (L 43-0)    
1988-1A Alexis, LT, (L 13-0)      
1989-1A * Northwestern, BC, (L 22-11)      
1990-1A Hamilton, WC, (W 30-16) * Alexis, LT, (W 28-6) * Annawan, IV, (L 33-32)  
1991-1A Carthage, WC, (W 12-8) * Hamilton, WC, (L 18-0)    
1992-1A * Hamilton, WC, (W 38-20) Carthage, WC, (L 42-13)    
1993-1A Westmer, LT, (W 32-16) * Avon/Roseville, BC, (W 31-0) Annawan, IV, (W 21-20, 2 OT) Sterling Newman, TR, (L 26-14)
1994-1A * Lexington, MS, (L 20-19)      
1995-1A Wethersfield, LT, (L 14-12)      
1996-1A * Abingdon, PL, (W 46-14) * Carthage, WC, (W 33-8) NW/LaHarpe, BC, (L 20-13)  
1997-1A * Abingdon, PL, (W 34-18) Tuscola, LO, (L 53-28)    
1998-1A * Wethersfield, LT, (W 39-12) * Stark County, LT, (W 21-0) Carthage, WC, (L 28-20, 2 OT)  
1999-1A Freeport Aquin, UIS (L 47-14)      
2000-1A Girard, PS (L 10-6)      

IHSA Playoff Records by Opponent's Conference:

Initials Conference Name Record
WC West Central Conference 5 - 3
LT Lincoln Trail Conference 4 - 2
PL Prairieland Conference 2 - 0
IV Indian Valley Conference 1 - 2
BC Bi-County Conference 1 - 3
MS Mid-State Conference 0 - 1
TR Three Rivers Conference 0 - 1
LO Little Okaw Valley Conference 0 - 1
UIS Upstate Illini South 0 - 1
PS Prairie State Conference 0 - 1

IHSA Playoff Records by Location:

Location Record
Playoff Record at Home 9 - 4
Playoff Record on the Road 4 - 11

IHSA Playoff Records by Opponent:

Opponent Record
Abingdon 2 - 0
Alexis 1 - 1
Annawan 1 - 1
Avon/Roseville, Roseville 1 - 1
Carthage 3 - 2
Freeport Aquin 0 - 1
Girard 0 - 1
Hamilton 2 - 1
Kewanne Wethersfield 1 - 1
Lexington 0 - 1
Northwestern, Northwestern/LaHarpe 0 - 2
Stark County, Wyoming 1 - 1
Sterling Newman Central Catholic 0 - 1
Tuscola 0 - 1
Westmer 1 - 0

Season Summary - 1986 through 2000:

Year Warren Warrior Head Coach Regular Playoffs Season Conference Championships
1986 Don Billington 7 - 2 0 - 1 7 - 3  
1987 Don Billington 9 - 0 1 - 1 10 - 1 Bi-County Conf. Champions
1988 Don Billington 7 - 2 0 - 1 7 - 3  
1989 Don Billington 8 - 1 0 - 1 8 - 2 Bi-County Conf. Champions
1990 Don Billington 9 - 0 2 - 1 11 - 1 Bi-County Conf. Champions
1991 Jeff Wrede 9 - 0 1 - 1 10 - 1 Bi-County Conf. Champions
1992 Jeff Wrede 8 - 1 1 - 1 9 - 2  
1993 Tim Engebretson 7 - 2 3 - 1 10 - 3  
1994 Tim Engebretson 9 - 0 0 - 1 9 - 1 Bi-County Conf. Champions
1995 Tim Engebretson 8 - 1 0 - 1 8 - 2  
1996 Tim Engebretson 8 - 1 2 - 1 10 - 2  
1997 Tim Engebretson 8 - 1 1 - 1 9 - 2  
1998 Tim Engebretson 9 - 0 2 - 1 11 - 1 Lincoln Trail West Champions
1999 Tim Engebretson 6 - 3 0 - 1 6 - 4  
2000 Tim Engebretson 7 - 2 0 - 1 7 - 3 Lincoln Trail West Champions

Coaching Records - 1986 through 2000:

Years Warren Warrior Head Coach Regular Playoffs Season Percent
5 Don Billington 40 - 5 3 - 5 43 - 10 81%
2 Jeff Wrede 17 - 1 2 - 2 19 - 3 86%
8 Tim Engebretson 62-10 8 - 8

70 - 18

 80%
Totals 1986 through 2000 119 - 16 13 - 15

132 - 31

 81%