Comcast SportsNet’s search for alternate programming due to the NHL lockout is a boon for fans of high school football. CSN Chicago has decided to air the IHSA Football Playoff Pairings Show at 8 p.m. Saturday on a night the Blackhawks were scheduled to host the Detroit Red Wings.
The airing of the show has been hit or miss of recent years. The show is also being streamed at ihsa.tv and CSNChicago.com. Of course, if the Hawks were playing, the only way viewers would be able to see the pairings show would be through ihsa.tv.
This will also be the first pairings show featuring new CSN anchor Susannah Collins (pictured right), who has done a solid job of replacing Sarah Kustok as the face of high school sports for CSN Chicago. Collins, a Downers Grove North alum, has jumped right in as one of the main hosts with Chris Boden for CSN’s weekly “High School Lites” show.
Saturday’s show also features IHSA regular Dave Bernhard and Kankakee Daily Journal reporter Steve Soucie. Through CSNChicago.com, Saturday’s show features an interactive experience with viewers through host Nicole Darin. Viewers can use the Twitter @IHSA_IL or the #IHSA hashtag and can send email at mtroha@ihsa.org. Teams watching the program are encouraged to tweet pictures. All photos will be placed on CSNChicago.com’s online gallery.
CSN also has committed to airing all eight state championship games Nov. 23-24 for the second consecutive year.
