RoaminCatholic said:

Going to learn a lot about the character of this Raider team on the road for first time Friday. I like QND's chances if the game turns into a ground and pound slugfest due to weather. Might counter some of the speed and athleticism I've seen from the SHS WR/DB... Will be interesting to see how disciplined SHS is. QND avoided critical mistakes last week against SHG, while SHG penalties really killed a few drives for the Cycs. QND is going to need to make some extra points too. I said last week to my father that QND's inability to convert points after is going to come back to bite them...

Put up or shut up time for the Rockets. I've got one of them "feelings" U-High has something to say Friday night. We shall see....

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I would put $$$ on QND -14. The Raiders have a coach that won't let the players live in last week. If the game were to be dry and calm I would push it to -21.5!!!

rocketnation said:

It could be a wet Friday on top of the showers that occurred Monday and Tuesday morning. Shouldn't have a huge impact on the turf fields but the grass ones could be slick and muddy.

West Division
Southeast (0-4) at Jacksonville (3-1)
The Crimsons should have success with their running attack and go to 4-1. The Spartans have some offensive firepower but have given up over 40 points each of the last three weeks. Jacksonville 45 Southeast 12. Massey prediction: Jacksonville 48 Southeast 14.

Lanphier (0-4) at SHG (2-2)
Should be a quick running clock for the Cyclones. Lanphier lost last week to Jacksonville 76-14, while SHG beat them 35-10 in Week 3. SHG 56 Lanphier 0. Massey prediction: SHG 49 Lanphier 6.

QND (3-1) at Springfield (4-0)
Can QND avoid a letdown in their first away game in '24 and after an impressive 37-7 message to the conference win over SHG last week? Springfield is the last unbeaten team in the CS8. They're definitely an improved team, but this will be their toughest test so far this season. QND's opponents through 4 weeks have 8 wins, while Springfield's only have 3. Should they lose, QND's remaining schedule is still favorable to them getting 6 or 7 wins. The Senators have challenging games each of the final 4 weeks, while a win Friday gets them to playoff eligibility. There is one common opponent. QND shutout Southeast 43-0, while Springfield beat them 51-24. QND 30 Springfield 21. Massey prediction: QND 28 Springfield 21.

East Division
Chatham (3-1) at MacArthur (2-2)
Last year, MacArthur upset Chatham 14-12 at Stephen Decatur's stadium. Both teams have beaten Eisenhower this season. Chatham won 56-14, while Mac won 55-12. Not expecting a Generals upset this year, even with them getting to play at home. Chatham 48 MacArthur 14. Massey prediction: Chatham 42 MacArthur 20.

Eisenhower (0-4) at Lincoln (2-2)
Eisenhower has been running clocked three weeks straight and has given up at least 55 points in each of those games. Lincoln went on the road last Friday and was shutout 52-0 by U High. The Railers should be able to get their running attack going for their 3rd win. Lincoln 38 Eisenhower 8. Massey prediction: Lincoln 45 Eisenhower 13.

U High (3-1) at Rochester (2-2)
U High is coming off an easy 52-0 win over Lincoln, while Rochester looks to recover from a 45-17 blowout by Chatham. Rochester also beat Lincoln 63-7 in Week 3. The teams did not play each other in '23. U High has a strong passing attack, and the Rockets struggled to contain Colton Knoedler and the Titans at all last week. Field conditions may support more of a running attack Friday. The Rockets blocking (both by the O-Line and Receivers) has been below average in both losses. This is a chance for Rochester to either show some improvement in this area or continue to have the same issues, including problems with snaps and handoffs. A hard week of practices will hopefully result in a more focused and motivated performance than last week. Rochester 37 U High 17. Massey prediction: Rochester 45 U High 14.

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I enjoy your predictions and I agree with your post. I think its time to take the kid gloves off and call it like we see it. QND, barring a letdown, will have no trouble with SHS for a plethora of reasons. Yes, there is the angle of "if" SHS loses this game the playoffs hopes start of fall off so they will come out swinging but... 32-12 QND

I really feel for bad for any Sr losing their last season due to injury but the Rocket 3rd string QB is good enough to lead them past U-High.

As for the weather I hope it doesn't impact the games up there. Down here I just had my pool started two days ago so with the the dug and the rebar placed, along with the piping and all, Im hoping the next few days are light of rain lol.

Panthers1211 said:

LISLE might be the second school to do the same this week.

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I am all for building character and finishing what you started, but being outscored 212-14 through four games is rough.

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Not the most exciting week...but that's often when the most exciting things happen.

BR -35 vs St. Pats...Crusaders have lost three in a row by 7 points. Fortunately for them, the Shamrocks aren't quite at the level of Marist, Rita & Loyola. Fresh off a 41-0 drubbing by DePaul, the Shamrocks get drubbed again. 49-7 Brother Rice.

Benet +43 vs MC...Redwings are 4-0 and are coming off a solid win over Viator. They'll have their backups in fairly early in this game after MC goes up 28-0 in the 1q. Caravan take the foot off the pedal early. 42-0 Caravan.

Viator +29 vs Iggy...Surprised to see the spread this big. Viator is solid. Wolfpack put up some points on MC last week, but I don't think their defense is all too great. 35-17 Pack.

Loyola -14 vs DePaul...Listen, DePaul blew out ND last year and Pat's this year. They've firmly established themselves as a Catholic football program north of Madison. And top football players from Catholic schools on the north side now have a very viable option other than LA. The school itself is a success story; a viable co-ed Catholic option for northsiders in between Loyola and Iggy. But they are not on Loyola's level yet, not even close. Will be a great crowd as DePaul builds this into a rivalry. 42-14 Ramblers.

ND +42 vs ND...Dons have been shutout two weeks in a row. Will they try something different on offense? Probably not. Defense will continue to play strong, but they'll get worn down badly this week vs a physical Rita squad. 30-0 Mustangs.

Marist -19 vs IC...This IC squad isn't what the same as we've seen in recent years. Offense just isn't at the level it's been in prior years. Fresh off being shut out by Naz, life doesn't get much easier vs Marist this week. 31-7 Marist.

JCA +9 vs Naz. *GOTW*. Excited for this one. After giving up 56 to MC two weeks ago, the Roadrunner defense stepped up and shut out IC. JCA has knocked off Fenwick and Marist the past two weeks. These are both legit state title contenders. Naz offense does just enough to win this one. 28-21 Nazareth.

Providence +21 vs St. Francis. Life in the CCL. A week after one of the program's biggest wins against powerhouse Loyola, the Spartans get trounced by St. Rita. No time to recover as they face a Providence team that has its back against the wall. Can't see this one being a 21 point game. 28-24 WSF.

Montini -24 vs Marmion. If this Bronco team can get their offense going, they can make a little run to end the season. Good chance to do that this week vs a weak Marmion squad. I love their defense. 34-0 Broncos.

Leo +47 vs StL. Vikings are a state title contender again. Survived a big test in Mundelein last week. Will only need to play their starters one or two possessions this week. Respect will be shown and gas will be off the pedal early. 42-0 Vikings.

Carmel -25 vs Marian Catholic. Many on this board (ok, maybe just me) called the Corsairs a dark horse to make a run in the 5A playoffs. Sitting at 2-2 with Montini, DePaul, Loyola & Fenwick still on the schedule, the Corsairs face an uphill battle to qualify for the playoffs. They'll get a relatively easy win this week and get healthy/right for the stretch run. 35-7 Corsairs.

12 Geneva
10 Batavia
8 Naperville (Central)
6 Cary (Grove)
5 St. Charles (East)
4 St. Charles (North)

All.... SHS/QND preview. Ratsy

With these forfeit games taking place… do we need to reduce the number of classes in the state????

I wonder if DLS played Foreman this week if they would forfeit?

LISLE might be the second school to do the same this week.

McCaravan said:

When HB took over SL they were on their second decade of being a consistently below average program with little success. He brought them to the State semifinals two years in a row and then the State Quarterfinals. After a bad season in 2019 he was let go. Reasons vary as to why.

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It was discussed on here & Edgy had to flush the topic. Edgy issue a stern warning to some & a few got banishment. No it wasn’t me. I liked Harold but there were some issues at STL so I stayed out of it because I also like many at StL

Brother Rice 49 (-35) Saint Patrick 0: This is the perfect storm of a Rice not having the luxury to screw around and the Shamrocks struggling offensively.

Mount Carmel 56 (-43) Benet 10: Benet's 5th win will have to wait a week

Saint Ignatius 38 Saint Viator 14 (+29): Iggy's gets a much needed reprise in their schedule.

Loyola 42 (-14) DePaul 17: DePaul coming off an impressive performance last week, but the competition steps up infinite this week.

Saint Rita 38 Notre Dame 0 (+42): My courage and bravery for what I'm about to say should be commended and I should get a trophy for this: I am a buffoon. I have been wrong about the Rita Men this season. They are very good.

Marist 37 (+19) ICP 13: I can't wait to hear about ICP complaining and threatening to leave the CCL this coming offseason when they miss the playoffs.

Nazareth 33 Joliet Catholic 26 (+9): GOTW! So is JCA good or very good? While it wouldn't surprise me in the slightest if they got the W, I just think Naz has a bit too much firepower.

Saint Francis 31 Providence 16 (+21): The Spartans get back to basics.

Montini 34 (-24) Marmion 7: The Cadets and Broncos have no room to play with if they want to make the playoffs. The Broncs are just way better than Marmion right now.

DLS @ F: This is unfortunate for all parties. I feel bad for the Fenwick seniors who don't get a homecoming game and I feel bad for the De La Salle boys who don't have the depth to play the sport they love. De La Salle as a school needs to decide if they are going to value football or not because it wasn't that long ago that they beat Mount Carmel. This should not be happening in the CCL, but it should be a warning for all that poor leadership can quickly unravel Catholic high schools.

Saint Laurence 46 Leo 6 (+47): Nothing to see here

Carmel 35 (-25) Marian of the Heights 7: The Corsairs sail

All.... QB Little for the Blue Devils after four..... 89-121 (0.736) 1458 yards and 20 td's. The only thing that might slow him down a bit Friday (not enough to make a difference) is if Miss Helene decides to spread her joy around the country. Ratsy

All.... Lousy weather might just be the ticket if the Rockets pass defense is suspect as some believe. QB Weiland for the Pioneers has already thrown for almost 1200 yards after four games at about a 65% completion rate. Less then 600 yards on the ground running. If the wind is howling and the rain pouring precip on a wet field (grass) dump passes for the most part will be the air game.

I would imagine both teams will try to pound the ball on the ground at the respective defenses. Stack the lines bring in the lb's closer and dare everone to throw. Rochester by the way has rushed for just over 600 on the ground in their four games. Ratsy

SiuCubFan8 said:

I assume everyone is referencing the Asian population growth in DuPage County…

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Indian, Asian and Hispanic is what I was referring to

I assume everyone is referencing the Asian population growth in DuPage County…

MS4EVER said:

I find this interesting. What youth teams are having great success right now?

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I think the biggest thing for youth programs is just getting kids out and playing before hs is huge. In youth football right now everyone is trying to build super teams and it’s pointless. To use the PR travel hawks as an example a lot of those kids were from Norridge, Harwood heights and Chicago. Most of those kids are at ridgewood, st pats, nd or Taft now. Theirs several more examples I can give with programs doing the same thing. Where before the goal was to get kids that would feed into your hs

eagles2k3 said:

Youth program has been way down in recent years. Still don’t see much light at the end of the tunnel based on current youth program results. I know that doesn’t always mean much but often times it does mean bad news for the high schools.

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their youth program has been down for a long time. Before they would have 4 teams and every level. Now you’re lucky to have 2. That’s also including them getting kids from Glendale heights now since that program folded. So that’s kids that feed into glenbard south, west and some that go to East.
Also demographics in dupage have changed a lot and will continue to change.

Blackfriars said:

Damn, it was Fenwick’s homecoming week too.

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Ouch

Damn, it was Fenwick’s homecoming week too.

jha618 said:

I dont think hes talking about combining the schools. Just allowing a handful of kids from DLS to play football at a ccl school.

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You Correct, I just wanted kids to play at a decent program or help good teams get they numbers up, If you pitch it right IHSA could let it ride. if not we tried.

1985 St. Rita got up to 20th in the USA Today Top 25 after beating Leo and then …. nevermind @Topiary probably has a poster of it😎😢

When Football was Football.

How pure.