St. Rita at Downers Grove North Fri 7pm

[RockSoup]

I think this one should be an instant classic, two tough well-coached programs.

A little state and board history. 2013 St. Rita and Mt. Carmel the two best 7A teams that year met in the second round (darn you quadrants). Mt. Carmel beat St. Rita 20-15 with a patented 6minute TD drive in the 4th to beat the Mustangs. This set up the infamous Quarterfinal matchup between Mt. Carmel and Downers Grove North DOS game where he predicted Downers would not pass the 50 yard line. DOS might have been right but Mt. Carmel had to escape with a 7-0 win. Mt. Carmel besides those games score differential against the rest of the bracket averaged 35 points winning the semis and finals 34-0 , 30-0 respectively. Point being, you don’t go to Downers Grove North in November without expecting a team tough and prepared.

My other Downers memory was 1984 St. Rita, a decent favorite, went to Downers Grove South on a Wednesday afternoon and got beat like a drum 21-0 in the first round in Pat Cronin’s last coached game. What does that have to do with this game? Nothing but I would like the 2026 St. Rita Mustangs to exorcise my Downers demons that haunt me.

Friday’s game, on the other hand, is the first time these two storied programs are meeting each other and I expect an absolute tight slobber knocker that is contended for a full 48 minutes.

Good luck to both programs. A great game awaits

 

[DirtySixThirty]

I'm pleasantly surprised to see a Friday night game still on the schedule that is reasonably close-by. Particularly because work is going to prevent me from going to the IC game on Saturday afternoon, I've been hoping to find a game to attend this week.

 

[Cross Bones]

I think this one should be an instant classic, two tough well-coached programs.

A little state and board history. 2013 St. Rita and Mt. Carmel the two best 7A teams that year (darn you quadrants). Mt. Carmel beat St. Rita 20-15 with a patented 6minute TD drive in the 4th to beat the Mustangs. This set up the infamous Quarterfinal matchup between Mt. Carmel and Downers Grove North DOS game where he predicted Downers would not pass the 50 yard line. DOS might have been right but Mt. Carmel had to escape with a 7-0 win. Mt. Carmel besides those games score differential against the rest of the bracket averaged 35 points winning the semis and finals 34-0 , 30-0 respectively. Point being, you don’t go to Downers Grove North in November without expecting a team tough and prepared.

My other Downers memory was 1984 St. Rita, a decent favorite, went to Downers Grove South on a Wednesday afternoon and got beat like a drum 21-0 in the first round in Pat Cronin’s last coached game. What does that have to do with this game? Nothing but I would like the 2026 St. Rita Mustangs to exorcise my Downers demons that haunt me.

Friday’s game, on the other hand, is the first time these two storied programs are meeting each other and I expect an absolute tight slobber knocker that is contended for a full 48 minutes.

Good luck to both programs. A great game awaits

DGS said, "We're the Mustangs 'round these parts. Beat it."

 

[RockSoup]

Thanks Xbones for the extra
salt in the wound

 

[Cross Bones]

Thanks Xbones for the extra
salt in the wound

Im just glad people are putting it out there that South used to be mentioned. Today's youth probably see DGS how I see Reavis... you go to the stadium and see they have plaques up

 

[Wittymoniker1]

Thanks Xbones for the extra
salt in the wound

Rock,

The Mustangs are 1-0 in the great town of Bolingbrook, you know.

 

[Cross Bones]

Rock,

The Mustangs are 1-0 in the great town of Bolingbrook, you know.

The laces were in

 

[godfthr53]

Im just glad people are putting it out there that South used to be mentioned. Today's youth probably see DGS how I see Reavis... you go to the stadium and see they have plaques up

The kids in my neighborhood goto the game and come home and says "DGS is buns" and some other youth lingo.

 

[SilverHelmet]

The kids in my neighborhood goto the game and come home and says "DGS is buns" and some other youth lingo.

And they win conference every season so imagine how buns the other teams must be

 

[McCaravan]

When MC beat DGN in the State Game in 2023 they had a lot of Sophomores and last year was their senior year and they made it to the semis before BR knocked them out. I thought this year would be a reload type year but outside of a 1 point loss to York they did great....what is the make up of this DGN team? Do they got a go to player? X factor? Defensive leading the charge? Inquiring minds want to know!

 

[RockSoup]

When MC beat DGN in the State Game in 2023 they had a lot of Sophomores and last year was their senior year and they made it to the semis before BR knocked them out. I thought this year would be a reload type year but outside of a 1 point loss to York they did great....what is the make up of this DGN team? Do they got a go to player? X factor? Defensive leading the charge? Inquiring minds want to know!

The only WSS rep I know of is GBWs @SilverHelmet . Because I don't think Downers Grove North's defense is talked about enough. They gave up 3 scores in a game exactly one time this season. 18 points in overtime loss to York. Thats insane. I think 4 or 5 Trojans are getting offers on the D side. Losing a generational QB to graduation and being a better overall team this year is an impressive feat.

 

[Swiftfeet17]

The only WSS rep I know of is GBWs @SilverHelmet . Because I don't think Downers Grove North's defense is talked about enough. They gave up 3 scores in a game exactly one time this season. 18 points in overtime loss to York. Thats insane. I think 4 or 5 Trojans are getting offers on the D side. Losing a generational QB to graduation and being a better overall team this year is an impressive feat.

DGN has a strong run game and uses two QBs occasionally as the lefty is the primary one, the other one they use in the backfield, which can create some challenges defensively. The Mustangs will need to slow down the run and force DGN out of its comfort zone. I expect a physical slugfest between two tough teams. My prediction: St. Rita 20, DGN 14.

 

[eagles2k3!]

The only WSS rep I know of is GBWs @SilverHelmet . Because I don't think Downers Grove North's defense is talked about enough. They gave up 3 scores in a game exactly one time this season. 18 points in overtime loss to York. Thats insane. I think 4 or 5 Trojans are getting offers on the D side. Losing a generational QB to graduation and being a better overall team this year is an impressive feat.

I think you’re going to see downers North be very good over the next few years. Their youth program has won the last two varsity d1 super bowls in the bgyfl. They have another great team this year and are heavily favored. from what I understand most of them go to Dgn.

Kind of off topic but one thing that’s starting to hit the bgyfl is super teams. Lots of towns are starting to recruit kids from outside of their boundaries. Used to really be only kids from Bloomingdale facing kids from Carol Stream but as we see athletes transferring at the d1 and high school level it’s trickling down to youth programs. Man, they need to make a k-8 transfer portal now. lol. Kidding.

 

[RockSoup]

@Cross Bones @SilverHelmet @ClownBaby

Any hints or tips for visiting Carstens Field for the first time? Parking? Food? I know clown is DuKane but I'm looking through my rolodex for anyone with western suburban insight. Thank you

 

[ClownBaby]

@Cross Bones @SilverHelmet @ClownBaby

Any hints or tips for visiting Carstens Field for the first time? Parking? Food? I know clown is DuKane but I'm looking through my rolodex for anyone with western suburban insight. Thank you

Parking stinks there.

If you want a hot dog go to Scoobys (walking distance) just north of the stadium. If you are looking for sit down meal and drinks, try Pierce Tavern in downtown Downers Grove about 4-5 min car ride South of the stadium.

 

[SilverHelmet]

Parking stinks there.

If you want a hot dog go to Scoobys (walking distance) just north of the stadium. If you are looking for sit down meal and drinks, try Pierce Tavern in downtown Downers Grove about 4-5 min car ride South of the stadium.

Parking will be a challenge for sure. Both downtown and at the game. Bryan’s American Grille is right down Ogden is another sit down option. Alter Brewery is not too far away and they usually have a food truck.
This place is pretty new and very good if you want some Irish fare
https://www.blumeandferris.com/

 

[SilverHelmet]

The only WSS rep I know of is GBWs @SilverHelmet . Because I don't think Downers Grove North's defense is talked about enough. They gave up 3 scores in a game exactly one time this season. 18 points in overtime loss to York. Thats insane. I think 4 or 5 Trojans are getting offers on the D side. Losing a generational QB to graduation and being a better overall team this year is an impressive feat.

I think DGN has the better defense and St. Rita has the better offense. GBW played both. Rita game was a shootout with the Mustangs getting a 2 point conversion in the dying seconds. Hitters had a 14-3 lead on and then the Trojans shut them out and scored 3 tds to win by 10. Rita definitely has played a tougher schedule but DGN is also battle tested. I would lean DGN because they are at home and defense usually wins out. Either way, I think the state runner up comes from this game.

 

[Connorstallions]

I think you’re going to see downers North be very good over the next few years. Their youth program has won the last two varsity d1 super bowls in the bgyfl. They have another great team this year and are heavily favored. from what I understand most of them go to Dgn.

Kind of off topic but one thing that’s starting to hit the bgyfl is super teams. Lots of towns are starting to recruit kids from outside of their boundaries. Used to really be only kids from Bloomingdale facing kids from Carol Stream but as we see athletes transferring at the d1 and high school level it’s trickling down to youth programs. Man, they need to make a k-8 transfer portal now. lol. Kidding.

That’s been going on in all the other youth football leagues for awhile. A couple years ago Burrell was playing for the Naperville Patriots and he lived in Skokie. The Bolingbrook Bucs were also getting a lot of kids from Indiana, Joliet Ravens were also getting a lot of kids from Kankakee. Those kids would only practice 1-2 days a week

 

[ClownBaby]

I think you’re going to see downers North be very good over the next few years. Their youth program has won the last two varsity d1 super bowls in the bgyfl. They have another great team this year and are heavily favored. from what I understand most of them go to Dgn.

Kind of off topic but one thing that’s starting to hit the bgyfl is super teams. Lots of towns are starting to recruit kids from outside of their boundaries. Used to really be only kids from Bloomingdale facing kids from Carol Stream but as we see athletes transferring at the d1 and high school level it’s trickling down to youth programs. Man, they need to make a k-8 transfer portal now. lol. Kidding.

The best kids don't go to DG high schools some are traveling a good distance to even play youth ball there, last year the top 4-5 kids went to schools outside of DG for high school.

The BGYFL eliminated the transfer rule and implemented a 1 year sit out rule this year to get rid of what was going on recruiting wise.

 

[SilverHelmet]

That’s been going on in all the other youth football leagues for awhile. A couple years ago Burrell was playing for the Naperville Patriots and he lived in Skokie. The Bolingbrook Bucs were also getting a lot of kids from Indiana, Joliet Ravens were also getting a lot of kids from Kankakee. Those kids would only practice 1-2 days a week

Those teams that you named are not part of Bill George. I think they are Pop Warner. BGYFL used to be pretty strict about residence.

 

[SilverHelmet]

The best kids don't go to DG high schools some are traveling a good distance to even play youth ball there, last year the top 4-5 kids went to schools outside of DG for high school.

The BGYFL eliminated the transfer rule and implemented a 1 year sit out rule this year to get rid of what was going on recruiting wise.

DG has always gotten kids from Darien, Woodridge, Westmont and Lisle because those towns didn’t have a team but it sounds like they are casting a bigger net nowadays

 

[Cross Bones]

@Cross Bones @SilverHelmet @ClownBaby

Any hints or tips for visiting Carstens Field for the first time? Parking? Food? I know clown is DuKane but I'm looking through my rolodex for anyone with western suburban insight. Thank you

Like everyone said, parking stinks. When I go I always go early enough to park across the street from the stadium, but it's limited. There's also some hidden parking behind the school. I've never been to Scooby's but there is a hot dog joint further south on 63rd and Main St that I like, Teddy's Red Hots. There's also a ton of pubs/restaurants in the downtown area on Main St. Just don't get caught waiting for a train with the game drawing near.

 

[eagles2k3!]

The best kids don't go to DG high schools some are traveling a good distance to even play youth ball there, last year the top 4-5 kids went to schools outside of DG for high school.

The BGYFL eliminated the transfer rule and implemented a 1 year sit out rule this year to get rid of what was going on recruiting wise.

That’s interesting bc bgyfl was strict about it. Not anymore I guess. I know some organizations are attracting kids from other towns. Just find a few crazy dads and they start recruiting. I know it happens in the program my kids play for.

 

[Cross Bones]

That’s interesting bc bgyfl was strict about it. Not anymore I guess. I know some organizations are attracting kids from other towns. Just find a few crazy dads and they start recruiting. I know it happens in the program my kids play for.

I didnt realize how it had gotten until a Joliet Raven tried to sell me a raffle ticket. Told him he needs to go get a Bucs or Trojan jersey and come back.

 

[SilverHelmet]

I've never been to Scooby's but there is a hot dog joint further south on 63rd and Main St that I like, Teddy's Red Hots.

Teddy’s used to be great. Now it is $20 for an Italian beef

 

[eagles2k3!]

I didnt realize how it had gotten until a Joliet Raven tried to sell me a raffle ticket. Told him he needs to go get a Bucs or Trojan jersey and come back.

How is the Bolingbrook Trojans program these days? Grew up playing against them. Always had a blazing fast qb. Same with Bellwood Spartans.

 

[ClownBaby]

That’s interesting bc bgyfl was strict about it. Not anymore I guess. I know some organizations are attracting kids from other towns. Just find a few crazy dads and they start recruiting. I know it happens in the program my kids play for.

No they made it so you can’t transfer teams there used to be a release towns would sign but that is now gone, they are cracking down on it. It got really bad for a while. The BGYFL is really pushing to go back to being town based teams.

 

[Cross Bones]

How is the Bolingbrook Trojans program these days? Grew up playing against them. Always had a blazing fast qb. Same with Bellwood Spartans.

Honestly I don't know. All I can say is they still exist. Numbers are nowhere near when I played in the early 90's. I'm pretty sure the Bucs are the premier program in town.

 

[Connorstallions]

DG has always gotten kids from Darien, Woodridge, Westmont and Lisle because those towns didn’t have a team but it sounds like they are casting a bigger net nowadays

I know a couple years ago they had a kid from park ridge on their team. I’m not for super teams but at the same time a parent shouldn’t be forced to have their kid play for the local team.

 

[eagles2k3!]

No they made it so you can’t transfer teams there used to be a release towns would sign but that is now gone, they are cracking down on it. It got really bad for a while. The BGYFL is really pushing to go back to being town based teams.

I actually appreciate this approach. I have to say I really love the old school BGYFL programs who still have their own little field. Reminds me of things from the 70s-90s. Bartlett, Hanover Park(RIP), Bloomingdale, Lombard, Downers, all have their own fields with the mini press boxes. Pretty cool. Some of the towns play in high school stadiums now but that just doesn't have the charm of an old school park district field. The old Bartlett field is my favorite even though the announcer drives me insane. That gravel parking lot is right out of the 80s.

 

[Wittymoniker1]

Teddy’s used to be great. Now it is $20 for an Italian beef

I know $20 is too much, but is it worth it? Only beef sandwich I'd pay $20 is Johnny's. Ironically, their beef is inexpensive compared to other places with inferior sandwiches.

 

[Cross Bones]

I know $20 is too much, but is it worth it? Only beef sandwich I'd pay $20 is Johnny's. Ironically, their beef is inexpensive compared to other places with inferior sandwiches.

Haven't had the beef there in a while. But I assume anywhere I go I'm gonna pay $20 for whatever sammich and fries, sadly.

 

[Wittymoniker1]

Haven't had the beef there in a while. But I assume anywhere I go I'm gonna pay $20 for whatever sammich and fries, sadly.

Still good as gold. Ricobene's breaded steak on same level as Johnnie's, imo.

Thank God for their traveling food truck

 

[SilverHelmet]

I know $20 is too much, but is it worth it? Only beef sandwich I'd pay $20 is Johnny's. Ironically, their beef is inexpensive compared to other places with inferior sandwiches.

I might pay double that for Johnny’s. No, it good but not that good. They raised their prices for everything. It is like Augustino’s in Carol Stream. Loved that place as a kid but now the Italian sub is almost $20. Frankie’s is half that and twice as good.

 

[Connorstallions]

I might pay double that for Johnny’s. No, it good but not that good. They raised their prices for everything. It is like Augustino’s in Carol Stream. Loved that place as a kid but now the Italian sub is almost $20. Frankie’s is have that and twice as good.

Try Nottoli on Belmont. It’s right on the Elmwood park and Chicago border you won’t regret it

 

[MustangFB]

That’s interesting bc bgyfl was strict about it. Not anymore I guess. I know some organizations are attracting kids from other towns. Just find a few crazy dads and they start recruiting. I know it happens in the program my kids play for.

The BGYFL ex board is old and STALE out of the times with youth football.

 

[MustangFB]

No they made it so you can’t transfer teams there used to be a release towns would sign but that is now gone, they are cracking down on it. It got really bad for a while. The BGYFL is really pushing to go back to being town based teams.

Town based checkout the Midwest Raiders

 

[ClownBaby]

Town based checkout the Midwest Raiders

I’m well aware what they are doing, I wouldn’t be surprised to see them in Pop Warner shortly.

 

[Connorstallions]

Town based checkout the Midwest Raiders

or Tri City Chargers.

 

[eagles2k3!]

or Tri City Chargers.

Yeah but Tri City has always been like that. Bartlett is making a move. I’m not sure if they’ll go pop Warner since they’re an original bgyfl program but it sure looks that way.