I had a conversation with a JCA fan 2 weeks ago and I’ve been thinking about this since. Nice guy, we talked about the game and programs and he informed me that JCA had this game circled. Makes perfect sense as it was a title game rematch that Naz won so JCA wanted it. I was a little surprised when he told me that Naz was JCA’s biggest rival, I assume he’s a father that hasn’t been around the program for too long but recent history would indicate a rivalry.
When I expressed that I was surprised he asked me who Naz’s biggest rival was. I didn’t have a great answer. The program has evolved so much and conference realignment changes things almost yearly. For a long time the answer was Riverside Brookfield but that game went the way of the dinosaurs. Benet would be a logical answer but that’s more of a school thing. The rivalry is very one sided. Fenwick, IC and St Francis seem like decent choices but there’s just not enough history there. So I didn’t have a good answer for him, still don’t and with the ever changing CCL I’m not sure we’ll see a consistent rival either way.
I am definitely interested to hear what other people think and why, because for most this is really shaped on their experiences.
Kids want to beat who has been the thorn in their side in recent years, that is natural. For JC kids, that was likely Montini from 2009-2015 and Naz of more recent vintage.
It was definitely PC and MC throughout much of the 90s and 00s with Morris a frequent playoff rival.
I think, schoolwide and programwide, the biggest rival feel is still PC. They have to keep playing semi regularly to keep that feel, but if they do, it is definitely Providence. Too many connections between the programs and too close geographically for it to not be. And the traditions are second to none.
There are two reasons why it is not MC any longer. One is obvious in that they haven't played in 17 years. The other is simply because MC is a legitimate 7A/8A program that can play with LWE, LA, etc each year. JC has years where they CAN do that, but it is not a given every single year. The enrollment disparity is real.
So yes, just like Ty Isaac most wanted to beat Montini because it is frustrating to lose to them, I am sure the current Hilltoppers would most love to play Naz in a rematch.
But overall, it has to be the Celtics as the Hilltoppers' biggest rival.
edgytim.rivals.com
