Biggest surprise so far this season?

[Anon1754760634]

In a good way or bad way?

3-0

St. Joseph
Fenwick
Naperville North
Woodstock North
Wheaton Academy
Aurora Central Catholic
Hoffman Estates
Shepard
Lockport
St Charles East


0-3

Glenbrook South
St. Francis
Bishop McNamara
Simeon
Wheaton South
JCA
Conant
Warren Township
Andrew
Hinsdale South

 

[BigGroff]

In a good way or bad way?

3-0

St. Joseph
Fenwick
Naperville North
Woodstock North
Wheaton Academy
Aurora Central Catholic
Hoffman Estates
Shepard
Lockport
St Charles East


0-3

Glenbrook South
St. Francis
Bishop McNamara
Simeon
Wheaton South
JCA
Conant
Warren Township
Andrew
Hinsdale South

When is the last time St Joes went 3-0?????? When is the last time they won 3 games....Great for them!

 

[USD24]

When was the last time JCA, PC, MC, Naz and Montini all lost in the same weekend?

 

[ramblinman_rivals165935]

If I had to pick THE biggest, it's Fenwick.

It's not that I expected much less from the Friars, but I don't think anyone was predicting they would beat Montini and Phillips and be 3-0 at this point. Beating Montini by 31 pts is quite a surprise in and of itself.

Looking at their schedule the rest of the way, I think it is not unreasonable to think they could go 8-1. If the Friars can find a way to defeat Loyola, then Fenwick will be able to lay claim to beating the 4A, 6A and 8A defending state champs in a single regular season.

Also looking at their schedule, how did they manage to schedule SIX home games? I wonder if that means they will be on the road six times next year.

 

[woody6]

In a good way or bad way?

3-0

St. Joseph
Fenwick
Naperville North
Woodstock North
Wheaton Academy
Aurora Central Catholic
Hoffman Estates
Shepard
Lockport
St Charles East


0-3

Glenbrook South
St. Francis
Bishop McNamara
Simeon
Wheaton South
JCA
Conant
Warren Township
Andrew
Hinsdale South

Regarding Andrew, be advised their 1st three opponents are a combined 7-2 with one of the losses coming to highly-regarded LWWest. In addition, a new, 1st-year head coach is in place after the program experienced successive 3-6 seasons. Expect a 2 or 3-year process of rebuilding?

 

[Catch--22]

Don't forget St. Patrick, 3-0 versus St. Rita, Glenbrook South and Joliet Catholic. Hindsight might be 20/20, but I don't think anybody would've predicted 3-0 this summer.

Hoffman Estates has a monster. Jaylan Alexander.... 6'2, 225 junior outside linebacker, wide receiver, running back, wildcat quarterback, punt returner. Donatucci moves him around every play. One of those dudes who is 16 and looks 30. Juniors are strong at HE, and I expect them to make some noise this year and next.

Both teams I mentioned could win 6 or 7 this season.

 

[Cross Bones]

looks like we're in a new era...

Would say Joe's, but as catch noted the teams that St. Pat's played... also hard to go against Fenwick. NN is also a great story so far.

 

[Voodoo Tatum 21]

Got to go with Fenwick. NN is a great story - but I want to see how they do against GBN, NV, WV.

Close second for me is MCHS. I was expecting some losses with their brutal schedule - but I was/am shocked by how bad they are losing. Got blown out by Maine South and then damn near running clocked by Fenwick. Time to circle the wagons and work some things out before BR and MC. If they can be respectable in those games and then run the table in the remainder of the games - they will be just fine in 6A playoffs.

 

[LHSTigers94]

Got to go with Fenwick. NN is a great story - but I want to see how they do against GBN, NV, WV.

Close second for me is MCHS. I was expecting some losses with their brutal schedule - but I was/am shocked by how bad they are losing. Got blown out by Maine South and then damn near running clocked by Fenwick. Time to circle the wagons and work some things out before BR and MC. If they can be respectable in those games and then run the table in the remainder of the games - they will be just fine in 6A playoffs.

Let's not forget their top player the RB is out. This to me changes everything about Montini. Last year the run game between the RB and the QB is what made them so successful. Not being able to keep opposing offenses off the field will always create bigger gaps in scoring. Not sure if they are 3-0 with Walker but, I am sure the spread wouldn't be as far apart as it is now.

 

[Voodoo Tatum 21]

Let's not forget their top player the RB is out. This to me changes everything about Montini. Last year the run game between the RB and the QB is what made them so successful. Not being able to keep opposing offenses off the field will always create bigger gaps in scoring. Not sure if they are 3-0 with Walker but, I am sure the spread wouldn't be as far apart as it is now.

yes and I agree he is a good player - but he is not going to single handedly make either of those two games "respectable" I think their other RB had nice games over 100 yards? and it didn't help much?

 

[LHSTigers94]

yes and I agree he is a good player - but he is not going to single handedly make either of those two games "respectable" I think their other RB had nice games over 100 yards? and it didn't help much?

It's more about ball control and time of possession. Without him, I am sure the OC is looking to pass a lot more than if Walker was there. Montini has always done a nice job of keep away when they know the offense isn't as explosive. Again, I am not saying they win the ball game but a good back can make a huge difference. Just look at GBW last year.

 

[Topiarydan1]

St Joe's, St Pat's, JCA, Conant and Fenwick are biggest for me.

 

[Nape]

St. Francis shouldn't be a surprise considering what Fitz did to them. And, subsequently, it shouldn't be a surprise that Naperville North is benefiting from Fitz's OC role.

What Fitz did to the kids at SF is beyond shameful. He did what he felt was right for him but left a lot of damage in his wake.

 

[Anon1754760634]

St. Francis shouldn't be a surprise considering what Fitz did to them. And, subsequently, it shouldn't be a surprise that Naperville North is benefiting from Fitz's OC role.

What Fitz did to the kids at SF is beyond shameful. He did what he felt was right for him but left a lot of damage in his wake.

Now wait a minute. The guy has a career and a family to deal with first and foremost. Beyond shameful? Really? Damage? Hurt feeling and such sure happens whenever this type of deal goes down but who can blame him for taking a teaching position in one of the better public high schools in Illinois?

Check yourself Buck.

 

[mchsalumni]

Now wait a minute. The guy has a career and a family to deal with first and foremost. Beyond shameful? Really? Damage? Hurt feeling and such sure happens whenever this type of deal goes down but who can blame him for taking a teaching position in one of the better public high schools in Illinois?

Check yourself Buck.

Exactly what I thought when I read the post.

 

[Nape]

Now wait a minute. The guy has a career and a family to deal with first and foremost. Beyond shameful? Really? Damage? Hurt feeling and such sure happens whenever this type of deal goes down but who can blame him for taking a teaching position in one of the better public high schools in Illinois?

Check yourself Buck.

I was probably a bit harsh. That's not really my MO. The timing was the issue. He is a great coach and for the Spartans to be left swinging in the wind in the summer like that is not ideal.

I have a wife and 3 kids myself and certainly understand his motivation. North can pay more than SF. Just do it when it doesn't leave a program 100% in the dark.

 

[SiuCubFan8]

I was probably a bit harsh. That's not really my MO. The timing was the issue. He is a great coach and for the Spartans to be left swinging in the wind in the summer like that is not ideal.

I have a wife and 3 kids myself and certainly understand his motivation. North can pay more than SF. Just do it when it doesn't leave a program 100% in the dark.

It's not his fault about the timing. You have to do what you have to do for your family.

 

[illini14]

I was probably a bit harsh. That's not really my MO. The timing was the issue. He is a great coach and for the Spartans to be left swinging in the wind in the summer like that is not ideal.

I have a wife and 3 kids myself and certainly understand his motivation. North can pay more than SF. Just do it when it doesn't leave a program 100% in the dark.

Be mad at the SF administration for not finding the $$$ to get him to stay.

 

[mc140]

Be mad at the SF administration for not finding the $$$ to get him to stay.

He would of been at Andrew a few months earlier if 230 didn't start everyone at or near year one on the pay scale.

 

[NNFAN]

It's not his fault about the timing. You have to do what you have to do for your family.

I believe the decision was made and the school knew prior to the end of the school year. He made the announcement at the end of the school year. Do you make the announcement five months before you leave the current school, while you are under contract? I don't think so. Financially, there isn't any way a private school can match the pension a public school offers. That is the biggest difference.

 

[eireog]

Be mad at the SF administration for not finding the $$$ to get him to stay.

If a coach is looking for financial security out of the job ( salary+ pension+ benefits) most Catholic schools can't afford to pay what the better paying suburban districts are paying.

 

[mce86]

I was probably a bit harsh. That's not really my MO. The timing was the issue. He is a great coach and for the Spartans to be left swinging in the wind in the summer like that is not ideal.

I have a wife and 3 kids myself and certainly understand his motivation. North can pay more than SF. Just do it when it doesn't leave a program 100% in the dark.

StFrancis knew early on Fitz was looking. They were not in the dark. The info was out there in January.

 

[eireog]

I'd say St.Pats start against a tough schedule is the biggest surprise.

 

[MR. "T"]

In my opinion this is why when you are a head coach at a successful private school it has to be more about the kids, the program, and the schools tradition than the money!

 

[Oddy]

Fenwick

 

[mchsalumni]

StFrancis knew early on Fitz was looking. They were not in the dark. The info was out there in January.

That was a long time between joining and posting @mce86!

 

[Cat Box]

That was a long time between joining and posting @mce86!

Maybe he will post again in 2026!

 

[MR. "T"]

StFrancis knew early on Fitz was looking. They were not in the dark. The info was out there in January.

Did the new coach change the offence by a lot?

 

[Voodoo Tatum 21]

That was a long time between joining and posting @mce86!

What are those Midwestern bugs that only come out every 9 years? Cicada's? I coudnt contain myself for that long without posting! Some of the stuff on this board DEMANDS more frequent rebuttals!!

 

[psspfan]

What are those Midwestern bugs that only come out every 9 years? Cicada's? I coudnt contain myself for that long without posting! Some of the stuff on this board DEMANDS more frequent rebuttals!!

they are Cicadas, and every 17 yrs, and they aren't just Midwest....but we knew what you meant.

 

[Voodoo Tatum 21]

[

they are Cicadas, and every 17 yrs, and they aren't just Midwest....but we knew what you meant.

Sorry, I'm a transplant from the west coast - we don't have them out there. I saw a big article in the paper a few years back when they emerged and everyone should run out to the Aboretum to "watch them"

 

[psspfan]

[


Sorry, I'm a transplant from the west coast - we don't have them out there. I saw a big article in the paper a few years back when they emerged and everyone should run out to the Aboretum to "watch them"

stick around long enough and you can experience them first hand....they are everywhere that's for sure.

 

[Voodoo Tatum 21]

stick around long enough and you can experience them first hand....they are everywhere that's for sure.

I have been here 11 years and saw them just that one time a few years back. That was the first time I had ever heard of them!!

 

[NNFAN]

What are those Midwestern bugs that only come out every 9 years? Cicada's? I coudnt contain myself for that long without posting! Some of the stuff on this board DEMANDS more frequent rebuttals!!

You missed the Asian Long-Horned beetle invasion here that started in the late 1990's. For some reason, they settled in Naperville more so than other communities Not to be confused with the Beatle invasion of the 1960's

 

[Voodoo Tatum 21]

You missed the Asian Long-Horned beetle invasion here that started in the late 1990's. For some reason, they settled in Naperville more so than other communities Not to be confused with the Beatle invasion of the 1960's

Yikes - how did those things get over here? those things are crazy looking - I looked them up on the internet and their antennae are 3 times as long as their bodies

 

[NNFAN]

Yikes - how did those things get over here? those things are crazy looking - I looked them up on the internet and their antennae are 3 times as long as their bodies

Arrived by boat in a extremely large takeout order of chop suey and crab rangoons from Gang Ya Gou Tang in Ningbo, China.

 

[godfthr53]

You missed the Asian Long-Horned beetle invasion here that started in the late 1990's. For some reason, they settled in Naperville more so than other communities Not to be confused with the Beatle invasion of the 1960's

All **** leads to Naperville.

 

[NNFAN]

Here ya go... picture of Asian long-haired beetle found in Naperville.

 

[Voodoo Tatum 21]

ohhh my... I wish more beetles with looks like that land in Naperville!! WAY Better than the Cicada's

 

[NNFAN]

The ultimate Asian long-haired beetles...