St. Rita vs. Brother Rice . . .

[Wittymoniker1]

. . . for all the marbles this Saturday at 4:00 p.m. at Hancock Stadium.

First, credit to both teams for making it to the 7A State Championship this year--a rematch that I think will be closer than their regular season matchup.

Last time I thought a rematch would be "closer" was last year's Rita team playing host to powerhouse MC in the 7A semifinals--and we all know how that turned out. MC came out stormin' and stampedin' to a huge victory.

And I know this great coaching staff at Rita is very aware of this. They know BR will be trying to dominate from the very first kickoff.

If Rita can match BR's intensity and play the way she's been playing the last six weeks, we could have great 7A game for the ages.

 

[RockSoop]

The Pilgimage…

 

[Dave Brody]

Normal IL will never be the same. They’re gonna run outta beer and jail cells. I’m just kidding!

Looking forward to a great game.

 

[HRCJRHRCJR]

So no pizza deliveries on the South Side Saturday afternoon?

 

[RockSoop]

So no pizza deliveries on the South Side Saturday afternoon?

That kind of talk will get you one JUG after school young man!

 

[crusaderpride]

So no pizza deliveries on the South Side Saturday afternoon?

The distinguished alum of three of the main feeder programs for Fox’s are all tied up. Sorry.

 

[chakazulu89]

. . . for all the marbles this Saturday at 4:00 p.m. at Hancock Stadium.

First, credit to both teams for making it to the 7A State Championship this year--a rematch that I think will be closer than their regular season matchup.

Last time I thought a rematch would be "closer" was last year's Rita team playing host to powerhouse MC in the 7A semifinals--and we all know how that turned out. MC came out stormin' and stampedin' to a huge victory.

And I know this great coaching staff at Rita is very aware of this. They know BR will be trying to dominate from the very first kickoff.

If Rita can match BR's intensity and play the way she's been playing the last six weeks, we could have great 7A game for the ages.

It's definitely going to be a slug fest down at normal at 4 pm w/ both squads.

 

[RockSoop]

I definitely like the idea or the thought of this game much better than the analysis of this particular match up.

Early thoughts:
1) #5 McGee will be rated the National #1 Defensive player in two years. The first for an Illinoisan since 1985 USA Today DPOY St. Rita’s LB John Foley. Apologies to ESL if Hawthorne or Howard were ranked as high their senior year or to MC if Simeon Rice got that highly ranked his senior year. But make no mistake, #5 will be the next one.

2) I would make BR a 3pt favorite vs MC in the regular season if that game was on 99th and Pulaski, that’s how much talent is on that team

3) Kudos to the talented BR and MC programs for raising the bar in the CCL. Talent distribution is a little more cyclical then what this year’s 2 best teams’ have on the roster. But I can see a return to a more even distro in the future to Marist, St. Rita, St. Laurence etc. because I’ve seen it ebb and flow before.

4) But, but, but (you’d knew there would be a but), I ain’t conceding anything. If it’s 6 on 2 of my guys in the alley, you best believe I’m jumping that gate to go get me some of that.

5) What a remarkable team St. Rita has become. A Hopkins and team masterpiece. I can’t even imagine what it was like the Saturday after the Nazareth loss. How do you convince 50+ teenagers the best is yet to come? How do you hold them together and lift them out of the dumps they’re feeling? Just an incredible job by the staff and players to run the table when they had to.

6) This St. Rita team has passed the playoffs’ tests vs teams whose players are moving on to D1 schools, while who knows where any, if any, Mustangs get an opportunity.

But give me Army, give me Mr. Jones, O Lynch, Langston, Franklin, the Suttons, Izzy E and all the young Mustangs that helped turn this season around and let’s go find an alley.

 

[McCaravan]

I definitely like the idea or the thought of this game much better than the analysis of this particular match up.

Early thoughts:
1) #5 McGee will be rated the National #1 Defensive player in two years. The first for an Illinoisan since 1985 USA Today DPOY St. Rita’s LB John Foley. Apologies to ESL if Hawthorne or Howard were ranked as high their senior year or to MC if Simeon Rice got that highly ranked his senior year. But make no mistake, #5 will be the next one.

2) I would make BR a 3pt favorite vs MC in the regular season if that game was on 99th and Pulaski, that’s how much talent is on that team

3) Kudos to the talented BR and MC programs for raising the bar in the CCL. Talent distribution is a little more cyclical then what this year’s 2 best teams’ have on the roster. But I can see a return to a more even distro in the future to Marist, St. Rita, St. Laurence etc. because I’ve seen it ebb and flow before.

4) But, but, but (you’d knew there would be a but), I ain’t conceding anything. If it’s 6 on 2 of my guys in the alley, you best believe I’m jumping that gate to go get me some of that.

5) What a remarkable team St. Rita has become. A Hopkins and team masterpiece. I can’t even imagine what it was like the Saturday after the Nazareth loss. How do you convince 50+ teenagers the best is yet to come? How do you hold them together and lift them out of the dumps they’re feeling? Just an incredible job by the staff and players to run the table when they had to.

6) This St. Rita team has passed the playoffs’ tests vs teams whose players are moving on to D1 schools, while who knows where any, if any, Mustangs get an opportunity.

But give me Army, give me Mr. Jones, O Lynch, Langston, Franklin, the Suttons, Izzy E and all the young Mustangs that helped turn this season around and let’s go find an alley.

Definitely not Simeon Rice rated that high. He was a converted TE that almost quit because they went with future Steeler Matt Cushing at TE. Closest MC would have had to a Defensive POY would be Jerry Schumacher.

McGee is a freak. He didn't play the second half vs MC. Not sure if that made a difference as MC was able to shut BR down but I know it didn't help things.

Biggest chance Rita has is to contain the run and force them to pass which isn't CJ Grays best ability. He threw three picks in the first half vs DGN.....but he can really hurt you with his feet and that's what he's done all year.

If I remember Armbruster didn't play vs BR in the regular season and he has really found his groove in the playoffs.

BR's front 7 is a handful with Parks, Liggins, McGee, Fitzgerald, and Barkmeier. Armbruster isn't going to have a lot of time back there and running The Mayor may be difficult with that front 7.....

MC had a lot of success with the screen to Samuels vs BR....

More later.....

 

[BoulderSoup]

I definitely like the idea or the thought of this game much better than the analysis of this particular match up.

Early thoughts:
1) #5 McGee will be rated the National #1 Defensive player in two years. The first for an Illinoisan since 1985 USA Today DPOY St. Rita’s LB John Foley. Apologies to ESL if Hawthorne or Howard were ranked as high their senior year or to MC if Simeon Rice got that highly ranked his senior year. But make no mistake, #5 will be the next one.

2) I would make BR a 3pt favorite vs MC in the regular season if that game was on 99th and Pulaski, that’s how much talent is on that team

3) Kudos to the talented BR and MC programs for raising the bar in the CCL. Talent distribution is a little more cyclical then what this year’s 2 best teams’ have on the roster. But I can see a return to a more even distro in the future to Marist, St. Rita, St. Laurence etc. because I’ve seen it ebb and flow before.

4) But, but, but (you’d knew there would be a but), I ain’t conceding anything. If it’s 6 on 2 of my guys in the alley, you best believe I’m jumping that gate to go get me some of that.

5) What a remarkable team St. Rita has become. A Hopkins and team masterpiece. I can’t even imagine what it was like the Saturday after the Nazareth loss. How do you convince 50+ teenagers the best is yet to come? How do you hold them together and lift them out of the dumps they’re feeling? Just an incredible job by the staff and players to run the table when they had to.

6) This St. Rita team has passed the playoffs’ tests vs teams whose players are moving on to D1 schools, while who knows where any, if any, Mustangs get an opportunity.

But give me Army, give me Mr. Jones, O Lynch, Langston, Franklin, the Suttons, Izzy E and all the young Mustangs that helped turn this season around and let’s go find an alley.

#5 definitely got better as the season progressed that’s for sure. His breakout game was vs Loyola. He was a non factor in the first matchup, had 2 garbage time tackles vs the 2s during the last drive.
What coulda been! Both liggins and McGee tested at Rita. As for player of the year, that’s a stretch. I think parks is thee most talented player on that team and should be in the state for his class. For that class, I believe him and Burrell are most likely to dominate college ranks and be playing on Sundays. Kam still has a lot of room for growth, his offers started rolling in before he had a snap of varsity football. The first offer comes, the rest have to follow regardless if they are on the big board or not. Exact words from Oregon’s D line coach at a game this year. Majority are non committable offers, hence why would someone be offered twice by OSU in a few months. The second one is real. Nonetheless his confidence is growing and his ceiling is very high

ps why wait till week 14 to come out from hiding?

 

[BoulderSoup]

Definitely not Simeon Rice rated that high. He was a converted TE that almost quit because they went with future Steeler Matt Cushing at TE. Closest MC would have had to a Defensive POY would be Jerry Schumacher.

McGee is a freak. He didn't play the second half vs MC. Not sure if that made a difference as MC was able to shut BR down but I know it didn't help things.

Biggest chance Rita has is to contain the run and force them to pass which isn't CJ Grays best ability. He threw three picks in the first half vs DGN.....but he can really hurt you with his feet and that's what he's done all year.

If I remember Armbruster didn't play vs BR in the regular season and he has really found his groove in the playoffs.

BR's front 7 is a handful with Parks, Liggins, McGee, Fitzgerald, and Barkmeier. Armbruster isn't going to have a lot of time back there and running The Mayor may be difficult with that front 7.....

MC had a lot of success with the screen to Samuels vs BR....

More later.....

Armbruster was out
#6 Walter jones , two way player and kick returner was out. Toss up for best overall athletes on the team between him and #3 smith.
Sophomore starting linebacker #43 shappendonk was out. Had 4 solo tackles in a row Saturday to stop Batavia from the 1.
Fennel another top athlete on the field, having to move to QB game 1. Took him out of the secondary on defense and getting snaps at WR.

 

[RockSoop]

#5 definitely got better as the season progressed that’s for sure. His breakout game was vs Loyola. He was a non factor in the first matchup, had 2 garbage time tackles vs the 2s during the last drive.
What coulda been! Both liggins and McGee tested at Rita. As for player of the year, that’s a stretch. I think parks is thee most talented player on that team and should be in the state for his class. For that class, I believe him and Burrell are most likely to dominate college ranks and be playing on Sundays. Kam still has a lot of room for growth, his offers started rolling in before he had a snap of varsity football. The first offer comes, the rest have to follow regardless if they are on the big board or not. Exact words from Oregon’s D line coach at a game this year. Majority are non committable offers, hence why would someone be offered twice by OSU in a few months. The second one is real. Nonetheless his confidence is growing and his ceiling is very high

ps why wait till week 14 to come out from hiding?

Saw your post and screen name last week

Nah, seen a lot of posters come and go throughout my 15+ years around these parts. The switch of the site allowed me the chance to do the Irish goodbye.

But then this team’s season brings us to that game. In my 50 year love affair with the red and blue, St. Rita has plenty of that games from the late 70’s donnybrooks vs St. Laurence to the late 80s classics vs Mount Carmel, to 2006 vs Providence, 2008 at ESL, 2013 vs MC, 2022 vs MC but none of those that games were held at this point of the season and well with this team and this rebound, I wouldn’t miss it for the world.

 

[chakazulu89]

Definitely not Simeon Rice rated that high. He was a converted TE that almost quit because they went with future Steeler Matt Cushing at TE. Closest MC would have had to a Defensive POY would be Jerry Schumacher.

McGee is a freak. He didn't play the second half vs MC. Not sure if that made a difference as MC was able to shut BR down but I know it didn't help things.

Biggest chance Rita has is to contain the run and force them to pass which isn't CJ Grays best ability. He threw three picks in the first half vs DGN.....but he can really hurt you with his feet and that's what he's done all year.

If I remember Armbruster didn't play vs BR in the regular season and he has really found his groove in the playoffs.

BR's front 7 is a handful with Parks, Liggins, McGee, Fitzgerald, and Barkmeier. Armbruster isn't going to have a lot of time back there and running The Mayor may be difficult with that front 7.....

MC had a lot of success with the screen to Samuels vs BR....

More later.....

BR's weakness is their secondary. Rita will have to find a way to give Army some time in the pocket. I'm not sold on BR's passing game either. We stop the run and I think we have a real good chance. Will it come down to special teams???

 

[BoulderSoup]

Saw your post and screen name last week

Nah, seen a lot of posters come and go throughout my 15+ years around these parts. The switch of the site allowed me the chance to do the Irish goodbye.

But then this team’s season brings us to that game. In my 50 year love affair with the red and blue, St. Rita has plenty of that games from the late 70’s donnybrooks vs St. Laurence to the late 80s classics vs Mount Carmel, to 2006 vs Providence, 2008 at ESL, 2013 vs MC, 2022 vs MC but none of those that games were held at this point of the season and well with this team and this rebound, I wouldn’t miss it for the world.

That sounds a lot like something CPAsteve would have said on here 19 years ago. Might have to take it to the polls to see who the real Rock is here

 

[Wittymoniker1]

That sounds a lot like something CPAsteve would have said on here 19 years ago. Might have to take it to the polls to see who the real Rock is here

MOC23?

 

[Topiarydan1]

Will come down to whoever wins the turnover and peantlies battle = Rice keeps its turnovers low and penalties low then it will win by 14

 

[MAP12]

Definitely not Simeon Rice rated that high. He was a converted TE that almost quit because they went with future Steeler Matt Cushing at TE. Closest MC would have had to a Defensive POY would be Jerry Schumacher.

McGee is a freak. He didn't play the second half vs MC. Not sure if that made a difference as MC was able to shut BR down but I know it didn't help things.

Biggest chance Rita has is to contain the run and force them to pass which isn't CJ Grays best ability. He threw three picks in the first half vs DGN.....but he can really hurt you with his feet and that's what he's done all year.

If I remember Armbruster didn't play vs BR in the regular season and he has really found his groove in the playoffs.

BR's front 7 is a handful with Parks, Liggins, McGee, Fitzgerald, and Barkmeier. Armbruster isn't going to have a lot of time back there and running The Mayor may be difficult with that front 7.....

MC had a lot of success with the screen to Samuels vs BR....

More later.....

2 picks in the first half*…

 

[McCaravan]

Will come down to whoever wins the turnover and peantlies battle = Rice keeps its turnovers low and penalties low then it will win by 14

We'll have to wait and see but the weather isn't supposed to be very good, it's calling for wind and possible snow and if it comes to a run/short pass game that will favor Rice. Rita has a good RB but BR is very good against the run.

 

[crusaderpride]

Will come down to whoever wins the turnover and peantlies battle = Rice keeps its turnovers low and penalties low then it will win by 14

Rice’s DBs have a bad tendency to get a lot of unnecessary flags. Seemed to improve a little against DGN, but still had a few.

 

[StReeders]

I anticipate a hard fought battle with both team trying to move the ball through the air or the ground game. I expect lot of tackles and hard hits between the sidelines. Which ever of these teams advances the ball into their opponents endzone more times most likely be the winners and claim victory.

 

[RockSoop]

That sounds a lot like something CPAsteve would have said on here 19 years ago. Might have to take it to the polls to see who the real Rock is here

The OGs know.

Rock uses paragraphs. Boulder don’t.

Rock tosses likes, loves, wows and hahas around like dollars at PoleKatz. Boulder hangs onto them like it costs money to spread love and endorphins around.

But Boulder’s info is good and I like the ‘imposter’ and ‘run a poll’ post. Actually lol’d at them, well played.

Great stuff.

 

[RockSoop]

Will come down to whoever wins the turnover and peantlies battle = Rice keeps its turnovers low and penalties low then it will win by 14

Fair enough. Good Luck this weekend Tops

 

[bocjr34]

Time for payback for 1985. Go Mustangs

 

[Wittymoniker1]

Time for payback for 1985. Go Mustangs

I was at that game. Down 7-6, Rita had a chance to win with a FG at the very end. It was raining and the Pit was so muddy.

Instead of using a normal ball for the FG attempt, someone gave the referee a ball that looked out of place--a Cleveland Brown or Syracuse-type color football that looked like it was made out of plastic. LOL. The FG attempt reacted as one was kicking a bright orange plastic football.

 

[McCaravan]

I was at that game. Down 7-6, Rita had a chance to win with a FG at the very end. It was raining and the Pit was so muddy.

Instead of using a normal ball for the FG attempt, someone gave the referee a ball that looked out of place--a Cleveland Brown or Syracuse-type color football that looked like it was made out of plastic. LOL. The FG attempt reacted as one was kicking a bright orange plastic football.

The damn muddy pit cost Rita a couple chances at State. I was at the 85 game as my Sister was a Rice Cheerleader and my brothers were recent BR alums.....also I was on the sidelines for the 88 MC/SR mud slide semi final at The Pit. With Rita's defense and Sierra/Gordon backfield on offense I often wonder how that game would have gone at Gately on turf.....granted our RBs Allen, Girsch and Stewart would have had a dry surface but they would have had to run into the heart of your defense.....MC finally said "Our WRs are faster then their DBs and their DBs have wet, muddy shoes.....it worked! Miller threw for more yards that day then almost the entire year combined. Great games!!

 

[Wittymoniker1]

The damn muddy pit cost Rita a couple chances at State. I was at the 85 game as my Sister was a Rice Cheerleader and my brothers were recent BR alums.....also I was on the sidelines for the 88 MC/SR mud slide semi final at The Pit. With Rita's defense and Sierra/Gordon backfield on offense I often wonder how that game would have gone at Gately on turf.....granted our RBs Allen, Girsch and Stewart would have had a dry surface but they would have had to run into the heart of your defense.....MC finally said "Our WRs are faster then their DBs and their DBs have wet, muddy shoes.....it worked! Miller threw for more yards that day then almost the entire year combined. Great games!!

Small world, indeed. I remember Coach Angston telling us as Freshmen that we will compete for the State Title in four years. He was definitely correct. My only solace is that as Freshmen we did beat that MC team for the CCL Championship on a dry and sunny day at The Pit.

Both Sierra and Gordon were awesome, indeed, led by a great O-line.

 

[bocjr34]

I was at that game. Down 7-6, Rita had a chance to win with a FG at the very end. It was raining and the Pit was so muddy.

Instead of using a normal ball for the FG attempt, someone gave the referee a ball that looked out of place--a Cleveland Brown or Syracuse-type color football that looked like it was made out of plastic. LOL. The FG attempt reacted as one was kicking a bright orange plastic football.

I was at the 88 game but not 85. Why did SR struggle with Rice in 85? SR and Laurence seemingly had alot more talent than Rice that year, though no Catholic League team was beating ESL in 85.

 

[Wittymoniker1]

I was at the 88 game but not 85. Why did SR struggle with Rice in 85? SR and Laurence seemingly had alot more talent than Rice that year, though no Catholic League team was beating ESL in 85.

Earlier in the year, BR also beat SR at The Pit during Rita's Homecoming Week. I believe the score was 10 - 0.

Yes, SR had more talent. Not sure what happened. Actually, Rita knocked SL out of the playoffs in Burbank in the Second Round before losing to BR in the quarterfinals. Father Murphy gave us Monday off after Rita beat SL. Score was 17 - 14 on a last second FG, I believe.

SL was loaded with O-linemen that year. I mean, loaded!

 

[RockSoop]

Is Brother Rice’s #9 getting any college looks?

 

[bocjr34]

Earlier in the year, BR also beat SR at The Pit during Rita's Homecoming Week. I believe the score was 10 - 0.

Yes, SR had more talent. Not sure what happened. Actually, Rita knocked SL out of the playoffs in Burbank in the Second Round before losing to BR in the quarterfinals. Father Murphy gave us Monday off after Rita beat SL. Score was 17 - 14 on a last second FG, I believe.

SL was loaded with O-linemen that year. I mean, loaded!

SR's win over St. Laurence was incredibly impressive, given St. Laurence's talent, which makes losing to Rice twice that year puzzling. It is crazy to think St. Laurence had, on their offensive line, a future NFL pro bowler, another guy (Pearson) who started at ND and Michigan State, and another guy (cannot recall his name) who was recruited as heavily as John Foley. Then they had a future NCAA All-American (Smagala) in their offensive/defensive backfield.

Whatever the reason for the 1985 losses against Rice, time for SR to turn the tables this Saturday.

 

[bocjr34]

The damn muddy pit cost Rita a couple chances at State. I was at the 85 game as my Sister was a Rice Cheerleader and my brothers were recent BR alums.....also I was on the sidelines for the 88 MC/SR mud slide semi final at The Pit. With Rita's defense and Sierra/Gordon backfield on offense I often wonder how that game would have gone at Gately on turf.....granted our RBs Allen, Girsch and Stewart would have had a dry surface but they would have had to run into the heart of your defense.....MC finally said "Our WRs are faster then their DBs and their DBs have wet, muddy shoes.....it worked! Miller threw for more yards that day then almost the entire year combined. Great games!!

This is a very interesting point. I was at the 88 and 89 games, and the muddy conditions in 88 certainly hampered SR's pash rush, as they had outstanding defensive lines those years. However, MC's passing attack was problematic for SR both years, and from what I recall, SR was fortunate Frank did not throw more the ball more in the 89 game

 

[McCaravan]

This is a very interesting point. I was at the 88 and 89 games, and the muddy conditions in 88 certainly hampered SR's pash rush, as they had outstanding defensive lines those years.

They had Hamilton, Novikas and Kingsberry for both 88 and 89. Dave Charnot was the other LB in 88 and he was great. I think we had about 60 total rushing yards in 88 very SR, with about 20 of them coming from Allen on a late 4th Q TD run. Most of MC yards came through the air that game to Norville, Griffin and Boston. Sierra had a real nice TD run in the 1st Q but they went away from him and Gordon most of the game which I didn't get. That outcome may have been different if it was at Gately, kinda like how 89 went

 

[Wittymoniker1]

SR's win over St. Laurence was incredibly impressive, given St. Laurence's talent, which makes losing to Rice twice that year puzzling. It is crazy to think St. Laurence had, on their offensive line, a future NFL pro bowler, another guy (Pearson) who started at ND and Michigan State, and another guy (cannot recall his name) who was recruited as heavily as John Foley. Then they had a future NCAA All-American (Smagala) in their offensive/defensive backfield.

Whatever the reason for the 1985 losses against Rice, time for SR to turn the tables this Saturday.

Yep. Tim Grunhard, Jeff Pearson and Paul Glonek. I hope so regarding Saturday.

Rita had big Joe Allen and Jason Cegieski (sp?) on their line, I believe.

 

[StReeders]

I was at that game. Down 7-6, Rita had a chance to win with a FG at the very end. It was raining and the Pit was so muddy.

Instead of using a normal ball for the FG attempt, someone gave the referee a ball that looked out of place--a Cleveland Brown or Syracuse-type color football that looked like it was made out of plastic. LOL. The FG attempt reacted as one was kicking a bright orange plastic football.

I played in that game. St Reeters punts to the 5 yard line and plays a blitz, man-to-man coverage. Benny Williams slips in the mud, Barones to Bowes for 95yrd and the rest is pretty much as you mentioned.

 

[SiuCubFan8]

I assume all you southsiders will be sticking around for the 8A game? Could be a big crowd on the MC side, no?

 

[Wittymoniker1]

I played in that game. St Reeters punts to the 5 yard line and plays a blitz, man-to-man coverage. Benny Williams slips in the mud, Barones to Bowes for 95yrd and the rest is pretty much as you mentioned.

I was so depressed after that. I can't imagine how you and especially Benny felt. I know Coach Quinn took a lot of heat after that. Did he step down, if you know after that year?

 

[oldsica99]

Is Brother Rice’s #9 getting any college looks?

I hope so, that kid can play and hits like a Mack truck.

 

[RockSoop]

Speaking of Mack Trucks, I love watching blocking and especially skill positions blocking.

So a couple shout outs to 2 I like to watch for St. Rita. FB or HBack Jimmy Bansley.

And since he stepped on the field at St. Rita, Walter Jones, goes 100% on his blocking assignments. Love his athleticism but his determination to block downfield for his teammates, hat tip.

 

[MS4EVER]

I wish I could be at the game but I have a family party. Anyway I will be taunting my nieces BR grad husband. Hopefully my wife will allow me to wear my SR swag!!

 

[Topiarydan1]

Some good pregame stuff on roster and stats

IHSA: Illinois High School Association

The official app for the Illinois High School Association, providing schedules, scores, and news for high school sports in Illinois.

www.ihsa.org

and

IHSA: Illinois High School Association

The official app for the Illinois High School Association, providing schedules, scores, and news for high school sports in Illinois.

www.ihsa.org