ESCC Predictions - Week 1

ESCC fan

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Great to be back. Hope everyone had a great offseason and is ready for some football. Lord knows I am.

DISCLAIMER: I do not follow high school football much in the offseason (besides keeping some tabs on my Dons) so I am kind of "winging" these picks.

Viator-31 Rolling Meadows-24

Marist-27 BR-21

Rita-49 Pats-21

Marian-56 Englewood-0

JCA-35 Franklin (WI)-21

Naz-49 Dunbar-0 (why?)

Benet-37 St. Laurence-20

CoM-20 Waukesha-14

Thornton-14 Dons-7

MCC-42 Bowen-0
 

Voodoo Tatum 21

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I'm more of a DVC and Update 8 fan,...but I love your pick of Marist over BR. That should be a great game. I'm thinking the scoring will be even lower (I'm thinking Mairst will have one of the better defenses in the state this year) I will toss out 17-14 Marist in a nail bitter at the end.
 

pjjp

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Rolling Meadows 31 Viator 21....RM is supposed to be good this year. I still think Viator could surprise in the ESCC after a 1-8 season last year. With a new coach comes new schemes etc. Might be too much for the Lions in Week 1.

BR 24 Marist 21....GOTW. Is it possible that a Marist team is defense first? As discussed in other threads, I think BR's experience in the skills will be the difference. Great neighborhood matchup at Soldier Field, though.

Rita 21 Pat's 7....should be a very physical game.

Marian 38 Englewood 7....the Spartans get a needed win early. How far can the QB carry them this year? What's the future of football in the Heights? Numbers have been awfully low.

Franklin WI 28 JCA 17....Franklin lost 22-13 last week. They made it to the WI semis last year, but supposedly had major graduation losses. WI allows teams to scrimmage other teams before the first game, so Franklin has a scrimmage and a game under their belt. That's a nice advantage and might be too much for a young Hilltopper team to overcome.

Naz 50 Dunbar 0....the Roadrunners will roll in this Racki special.

Benet 28 Laurence 21....this is a great matchup. Benet has more speed in the skills this year than most previous years and a three-year QB at the helm. Will the Redwings be able to contain Laurence's speed? Benet usually has very good line play. I'm guessing that will be the difference in this one.

Waukesha 31 Carmel 30....Rondel Jamison should have a big year. I've read where Bitto really likes the potential of the Corsair offense. Defense is the question. See above about the advantages of WI teams in IL's first week, although the game is in Mundelein, which should help Carmel.

Thornton 28 ND 20...the Dons have a lot back on defense. They will need to limit the big plays. Intriguing matchup. Not easy to beat the Wildcats in Harvey on a Saturday afternoon.

MCC 42 Bowen 7....the Canes could make some noise in the 5A playoffs this year, but they have to get there first. This is the first step.
 

JFelice

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Naz 50 Dunbar 0....the Roadrunners will roll in this Racki special.

You're act is getting tired but it's obvious that Nazareth is in your head. I bet a few years ago when JCA was still destroying the Roadrunners regularly you couldn't care less how Racki was running his program. The shoe is now on the other foot and JCA isn't liking it too much. Racki's main goal is to win state championships I believe he has the second most of any coach in IHSA football right now, so obviously he's doing something right. You can't win state if you don't get to the playoffs and I'm sure Racki is far more concerned with getting to the playoffs than what some jealous JCA fan on edgytim thinks. Also correct me if I'm wrong but Tim Racki is NOT the athletic director at Nazareth. Knowing what I know about Naz's AD I would suspect that Racki isn't making the schedule, it's not his job and he has better things to do with his time than trying to schedule football games.
 

pjjp

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You're act is getting tired but it's obvious that Nazareth is in your head. I bet a few years ago when JCA was still destroying the Roadrunners regularly you couldn't care less how Racki was running his program. The shoe is now on the other foot and JCA isn't liking it too much. Racki's main goal is to win state championships I believe he has the second most of any coach in IHSA football right now, so obviously he's doing something right. You can't win state if you don't get to the playoffs and I'm sure Racki is far more concerned with getting to the playoffs than what some jealous JCA fan on edgytim thinks. Also correct me if I'm wrong but Tim Racki is NOT the athletic director at Nazareth. Knowing what I know about Naz's AD I would suspect that Racki isn't making the schedule, it's not his job and he has better things to do with his time than trying to schedule football games.
It's football season. Good luck to Coach Racki and the Roadrunners.

Who do you like in the Naz / Dunbar game? This thread is, afterall, where posters express their opinion on who will win the upcoming ESCC games. Right?
 

JFelice

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It's football season. Good luck to Coach Racki and the Roadrunners.

Who do you like in the Naz / Dunbar game? This thread is, afterall, where posters express their opinion on who will win the upcoming ESCC games. Right?
You're that upset they ended JCA's season last year? I mean that was supposed to be the team that brought JCA back to the top of the mountain right? That damn LoveCat...
 

pjjp

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You're that upset they ended JCA's season last year? I mean that was supposed to be the team that brought JCA back to the top of the mountain right? That damn LoveCat...
So....who do you like in the Naz / Dunbar game?
 
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jwarigaku

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PJJP,

I think it's obvious that we all like Naz in this game. But TPF has a few valid points about your obsession with Naz, Coach Racki, and The Gus Malzhan of Illinois High School football. Move on, your stichk is getting old!

So....who do you like in the Naz / Dunbar game?
 

pjjp

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Naz 50 Dunbar 0....the Roadrunners will roll in this Racki special.
This one seemingly innocuous comment sure has elicited some strong responses. Who woulda thunk it?
 

LakeCtyNewt

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Nov 13, 2002
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This one seemingly innocuous comment sure has elicited some strong responses. Who woulda thunk it?

You need to learn PJJP that a seemingly innocuous comment here gets blown way out of proportion - always have.

I am curious as to why NAZ doesn't get a little tougher non-con foes?

One could speculate that because of their success no one wants to open the season getting Naz'd.

They also could be locked into contracts that prevent them from having the flexibility.

PJJP where you are wrong is incinuating Racki is scheduling this way. A guy with that kind of resume isn't apt to ducking anyone.

Maybe the naz contingent could shed light on it. Me personally I'd love to see a Lyons-Naz or Naz-Montini opener just don't know if it's possible.
 

godfthr53

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I can factually tell you Racki is not scheduling these games and the AD gives him ZERO input. I also know from talking to the AD that 4-5 non cps decent programs didnt return calls or flat out said no. We would all like to see better games as fans but there are bigger goals than that.
 

USD24

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I thought that this was a thread to predict the ESCC games this week. Why does every thread on this board always get back to Naz and their thin-skinned fans feelings!?
 
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godfthr53

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Rolling Meadows-28 Viator-21

BR-21 Marist-20
Rita-35 Pats-14

Marian-35 Englewood-7

JCA-28 Franklin (WI)-21

Naz-56 Dunbar-0

Benet-35 St. Laurence-20

CoM-21 Waukesha-20

ND 22 Thornton 14

MCC-49 Bowen-0
 

BretEpic

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I thought that this was a thread to predict the ESCC games this week. Why does every thread on this board always get back to Naz and their thin-skinned fans feelings!?
Try and follow the actual thread you cherish so much honestly. The guy noting pjjp's factually incorrect comment about Racki is, IIRC, a likely drunk Friar Tuck. So A. The fans you complain about didn't even do the alleged derailing, B. The alleged derailing isn't even about Nazareth's fans.

Our apologies on behalf of the Academy for responding after the fact in correction of ill-mannered, factually incorrect pot shots by a disgruntled Joliet area resident.

That said,

Rolling Meadows

Marist

Rita

Marian

JCA

Naz

St. Laurence

CoM

ND

MCC
 

godfthr53

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I thought that this was a thread to predict the ESCC games this week. Why does every thread on this board always get back to Naz and their thin-skinned fans feelings!?
Didn't this all start with your thin skinned fans and your offense? Only 1 guy finds the need to take a shot in every one of his posts. Good Luck on the upcoming season.
 

USD24

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Try and follow the actual thread you cherish so much honestly. The guy noting pjjp's factually incorrect comment about Racki is, IIRC, a likely drunk Friar Tuck. So A. The fans you complain about didn't even do the alleged derailing, B. The alleged derailing isn't even about Nazareth's fans.

Our apologies on behalf of the Academy for responding after the fact in correction of ill-mannered, factually incorrect pot shots by a disgruntled Joliet area resident.

That said,

Rolling Meadows

Marist

Rita

Marian

JCA

Naz

St. Laurence

CoM

ND

MCC

Thank you for proving my point! I make one comment and the whole Naz brigade is thrown into a tizzy.
 
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BretEpic

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Thank you for proving my point! I make one comment and the whole Naz brigade is thrown into a tizzy.
WADR, none of this is about you or your comment. pjjp takes shots at Naz every chance he gets, and eventually someone responded. Your comments were pretty inaccurate IWBH FWIW though...
 

USD24

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WADR, none of this is about you or your comment. pjjp takes shots at Naz every chance he gets, and eventually someone responded. Your comments were pretty inaccurate IWBH FWIW though...
Thanks for your reply....but I am old and have no idea what any of your acronyms mean!
 

USD24

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WADR, none of this is about you or your comment. pjjp takes shots at Naz every chance he gets, and eventually someone responded. Your comments were pretty inaccurate IWBH FWIW though...
You quoted my comment in your reply
 

Oddy

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I thought I would gain some insight on what to expect Week 1 in the ESCC here, but instead get a bunch of blather and crowing from Naz fans. I have never seen such a bunch of front-runners in all my time following HS football. Try winning with some class.
 
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godfthr53

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I thought I would gain some insight on what to expect Week 1 in the ESCC here, but instead get a bunch of blather and crowing from Naz fans. I have never seen such a bunch of front-runners in all my time following HS football. Try winning with some class.
This has nothing to due with crowing. Everything to do with 1 poster who feels the need to take shots every chance he can get about a fan base and head coach. It's root is with someone who no longer is a part of the program. 1 person just can't let it go.
 
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MWittman

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Great to be back. Hope everyone had a great offseason and is ready for some football. Lord knows I am.

ESCC:

Before we begin another season, a long-awaited season which many members have anticipated with eagerness, there is a small matter I would like to address, a personal opinion of course, but I would like to say I have grown tired of many exploiting the sport of high school football and this board to pursue vendettas against a handful of schools and a certain set of their supporters.

We kickoff on Friday and as we close in on opening weekend, the moment should not be seized to propagate a grievance or advance ad-hominem attacks on others.

More specifically, most of the condemnations appear to revolve around Nazareth Academy and, although I do not as a rule aim to single out one poster or school, I am compelled to defend two particular posters, godfthr53 and epicbret, both of whom have distinguished themselves as members in this forum and contributed to our broad understanding of Nazareth and, by extension, the ESCC with their offerings.

That godfthr53 and epicbret find themselves under attack is unfair and is a direct result of a handful of putative Nazareth posters, two of whom grip several different identities, and whose purpose on edgytim has been to provoke others and cause mayhem.

Entering into this 2016 season, one in which Nazareth clutches the distinction of back-to-back championships, I find it curious the school is assailed for its non-conference football schedule. I tend to believe it is going to grow more and more challenging for the LaGrange Park school to arrange games for its non-conference slot in the same fashion a dozen schools with a similar, formidable reputation Nazareth has earned to assemble non-conference games for the reason they are considered an opponent to which there is virtually no practical benefit in competing against.

Lastly, the veiled attacks on Nazareth's head coach are uncalled for. The man has clearly demonstrated a rare coaching skill and has done as much at two different schools. The fact Tim Racki did not accomplish at Nazareth what was achieved at Driscoll regarding either the pace or frequency of earning state football titles is not a reflection on his football acumen, but rather the insistence of the administration at Nazareth Academy the academic interests prevail over athletic interests. I suspect in other areas of operation at Nazareth, specifically athletic scheduling, the school functions precisely the same.
 

ignazio

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RM 28 SV 21 - New coach for the Lions; he'll have to wait a year to get a chance vs JC. Supposedly got a good transfer.

BR 24 'Skins 21 - Must win game.

SP 21 SR 20 - I listened to a well-respected journalist say the 'Stangs will surprise this year. Should say formerly well-respected.

Marian of the Heights 35 UP Englewood 12

JC 62 Franklin 0 - I'll just go with the COMPU-WAGER® score. Apparently the 'Toppers need to travel 125 miles to find their Dunbar.

IMG of La Grange Park 6 Dunbar 3 - Fair chance Dunbar's bus gets lost or breaks down on the way over.

Vikes 21 'Wings 20 - High expectations for the Abbey this year. Maybe one of their fans could login and tell us something.

CoM 62 West Waukesha Wisconsin 0 - That's what COMPU-WAGER® has. ESCC is worse than the SEC for scheduling patsies.

Dons 21 Thorntons 7

Marian of the Woodpile 55 Bowen 0 - Seriously, you guys have no shame. None.
 
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stonedlizard

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Rice,
Rolling Meadows,
Spartans,
A girl named Rita,
Cheeseheads,
Wiley's nemesis,
Hockeytown,
Carmelites,
The Don,
Canes

These are a few of my favorite things
 
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Jiggs

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"EDGYTIM: Talk about the East Suburban Catholic. It's definitely a unique conference set-up. Talk about the challenges of playing in the ESCC.
Tim Racki: People always seem to hammer us about our non conference schedule but when you look at the conference we really don't have what some would call a soft week in the ESCC. I love it. Not once in the nine seasons I've been here have I ever had to worry about us looking past anyone. We've also gotten to the point in the conference where we've gained some respectability and we are no longer everyone's homecoming game. On the other end, when your trying to just get to 5-4 and become a playoff team that 's when you wish the conference wasn't so tough and so physically demanding."
https://edgytim.rivals.com/news/10-good-minutes-tim-racki-1
 
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Topiarydan1

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Jul 9, 2001
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Any big roster changes in the ESCC? I noticed on Marist roster that Diata Drayton (DL) who started last year was not showing. Granted could be a roster omission but didn't see him in some of the preview articles. He focusing on wrestling only?
 

JFelice

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So for arguments sake let's say Tim Racki does make the schedule, Naz has won back to back state titles the last two years, that is still the goal of every team right? So if Racki made the schedule and the non con the last two years was weak what incentive would he have to beef up the schedule? Obviously what they've done the last two years has worked. Aside from JCA last year, which just so happens to be in their conference, Naz has destroyed every other team in the playoffs the last 2 years. That would lead me to believe their schedule is preparing them just fine for the playoffs. For schools like Nazareth the big thing, besides getting to the playoffs, is getting to the playoffs healthy and if they do, they'll obviously be prepared. Aside from fans wanting to see better more appealing matchups does anyone have any reason real to think Nazareth should beef up schedule? To me it seems like conventional wisdom disagrees with posters on here.
 
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dtlove3434

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So for arguments sake let's say Tim Racki does make the schedule, Naz has won back to back state titles the last two years, that is still the goal of every team right? So if Racki made the schedule and the non con the last two years was weak what incentive would he have to beef up the schedule? Obviously what they've done the last two years has worked. Aside from JCA last year, which just so happens to be in their conference, Naz has destroyed every other team in the playoffs the last 2 years. That would lead me to believe their schedule is preparing them just fine for the playoffs. For schools like Nazareth the big thing, besides getting to the playoffs, is getting to the playoffs healthy and if they do, they'll obviously be prepared. Aside from fans wanting to see better more appealing matchups does anyone have any reason real to think Nazareth should beef up schedule? To me it seems like conventional wisdom disagrees with posters on here.
Very well put. I hope everyone remembers that this is high school sports and its about the kids. Let's all sit back and enjoy the games! We may all cheer for different teams but let's be respectful about it. Besides Coach Racki being a great coach- the state championships speak to that- he is a great guy and cares tremendously about all his players. There are tons of alumni from both Driscoll and Nazareth at games to see Coach Racki. I can see two more championships over the next 3 years.
 
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BretEpic

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Very well put. I hope everyone remembers that this is high school sports and its about the kids. Let's all sit back and enjoy the games! We may all cheer for different teams but let's be respectful about it. Besides Coach Racki being a great coach- the state championships speak to that- he is a great guy and cares tremendously about all his players. There are tons of alumni from both Driscoll and Nazareth at games to see Coach Racki. I can see two more championships over the next 3 years.
amen to that
 

pjjp

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Nice win for Carmel over Waukesha West after being down 14-3 at half. Was a bit surprised at Benet losing by 10 at home to Laurence. Sounded as if Benet had trouble containing Laurence's speed, which is their achilles heel. JCA? Pretty much what I expected....young, mistake-prone team. Turnovers and penalties did them in. Also, I thought Viator would hang a bit closer with Rolling Meadows. Lost 30-7. Might still be adjusting to the new coach.
 

Penlight

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Nice win for Carmel over Waukesha West after being down 14-3 at half. Was a bit surprised at Benet losing by 10 at home to Laurence. Sounded as if Benet had trouble containing Laurence's speed, which is their achilles heel. JCA? Pretty much what I expected....young, mistake-prone team. Turnovers and penalties did them in. Also, I thought Viator would hang a bit closer with Rolling Meadows. Lost 30-7. Might still be adjusting to the new coach.
Way too many holding penalties by the young Hilltoppers.