Let's discuss. It's my favorite game of the year, regardless of records or the final score, because these two programs are cut from the same cloth and while the fire will be lit and words will be exchanged during the game, it's become very clear over the years that there is an obvious respect that these teams and players have for one another, despite the occasional shoving match and heated exchange, you will see many of the players with a post game hug with one another as the opposing player may very well be his best friend since the first grade at St. Cajetan, St. John Fisher, Christ the King, St. Christina, Mount Greenwood or one of the numerous other great schools these young men come from. Enough sentimental talk though let's break it down.
MC has had a trying year, I've been critical of their defensive performance on many occasions this year, some warranted, some maybe over critical, and I was far from alone, but regardless of my two cents, here they are in the semifinals again. MC had been arguably the best in the State in the past two years, with Loyola stating their claim to that title as well, the only loses these teams had were to each other in 2022 and 2023. So MC fans were spoiled with unbelievable talent, many going on the D1 and other College programs, I watched Darrion Dupree have many meaningful carries vs the #1 team in the Nation last Saturday night as a true Freshman. So MC had to replace numerous star players, including 4 OL, all the WR's, both RB's, the entire DL, the Defensive player of the Year in Parker Startz, and both cornerbacks.....and the kicker! But they had two heart and souls of the team returning in Jack Elliott on Offense and Matt Mucha on Defense who I will discuss in a minute. Even as I typed this I'm aware that I might have been overly critical of their performance at times with all that they had to replace, but we are allowed as fans to be critical as long as we feel it's warranted. How did MC replace all that talent? Well they went young, which regardless of what happens Saturday will bode well for continued success in the upcoming years. On offense they replaced the 4 graduated OL with 4 juniors, who after taking their lumps, especially against a strong Hun DL in game 1, have really gelled as the season went on. At WR they were fortunate enough to get a transfer in Cooper Lehman who broke a single game receiving record and had a great season, Quinton Burrell who is only a Soph has had ridiculous numbers and is, I believe, over 1,000 yards in receiving and over 10 TDs, has been one of the best MC has had at WR and he's a Soph. Then in mid season they brought up Marshaun Thornton from the Freshman team for another added dynamic. On the freshman level he was a man among boys. At 6'3 we was averaging 2 to 3 TDS a game and doing it with ease. In my years I don't think I ever saw a freshman play the regular season on Varsity. He was brought up for the BR game for another possible weapon when Elliott was out with an injury and he looked like an upperclassman from the get go, making some mistakes but also some spectacular catches and touchdowns. RB has been a work in progress, at times showing life and at times being the flatlined. It was a gamble moving Danyil Taylor, a two year starter at TE to RB, but he is a powerful athlete who many saw potential as a RB after watching him run after the catch. I won't fault him, it's a huge adjustment and he has had some great games and runs and has over 10 TDs, RB position has been the MC bread and butter for decades and seeing it as a work in progress got some of the Boo Birds out, but my hand to God I definitely gave Taylor some rope here. They added in Madden Wilson near mid season and he's been really coming on. He's more of a traditional 5'10 RB.
Defensively is where you have heard me be critical. They have let up 261 points in 12 games after letting up under 150 in 14 the past two seasons. So you could see my and many other fans frustrations, but I also was aware that it was a work in progress, and while I have seen flashes of brilliance, I've also seen many plays where the youth and inexperience has shown. The Defense is also very young, 5 juniors, 2 Sophomores and 1 mammoth Freshmen in Caleb "Bonecrusher" Tucker in at nose! Several other players have been shuffled in to try to make the best fit, and it looks like they found the best 11 the past few weeks even though Sophomore MLB Roman Igwebuike left in an ambulance against Normal and I'm not sure what the status is. So now, my position breakdown vs. SR
Quarterback- Advantage MC. Fine job by SR's Armbruster and I heard he set SR's single season passing record, and he's just a junior! But he's going up against MC's Superman in Jack Elliott. He has shattered all MC QB records, has been the vocal and physical leader on and off the field, reminds me of Jordan Lynch and how he took NIU on his back and lead his junior and senior year by playing with ultimate toughness. And he missed the BR game, came back probably 3 weeks too soon and did what he could when he was obviously nowhere near full strength. He seems to be moving well and back to normal so let's see how he finishes his MC career.
Running Back- Advantage SR- as discussed above it was a work in progress for MC and this is where SR has their Superman in Nick Herman. He's put together a great senior ride and I know this games means a lot to him. He had a fumble in the 2022 semifinal that led to MC taking the lead and I know he will give everything he has this game to make up for that.
WR's- Advantage MC- See above for my assessment on the MC WR's I believe it's in paragraph 2, page 10 😀. SR had some good WRs, your QB doesn't break records without them but this is clear MC here.
OL- I'm going to go with even here. The 4 junior lineman have gelled well for MC and I have never seen a SR team without a good line so let's say it's a draw.
Defense
DL- Slight MC....SR has a 4 man front while MC, despite occasionally using a 4 man front, does a 3 man front with USC commit Junior Braedon Jones, Freshman Tucker at nose and then DE Junior Joey Quinn who has seen the D1 offers begin to come in with Iowa St and Kansas recently offering. I think Quinn has been great at DE, Tucker is 6'4 330 and can move, handling that position outstanding for a freshman, but I want to see more out of Jones. He draws double teams but I still want to see that next gear, he checks all the boxes physically. SR front is always tough. Is Daniher back? I saw him in and out but I know he's knee was banged up.
LB- Slight SR- how can this be slight SR with CCL Blue Defensive Player of the Year Mucha with MC? Because SR has the CCL Green Lawless Winner in Justin Buckner, and he's teamed up with James Kingsbury and Owen Lynch. If Roman was healthy I would make
this a draw but it didn't look good for him so this position goes to SR but not without giving major props to Matt Mucha who has a motor that never stops and makes tackle after tackle after tackle.
Secondary- Advantage MC- it was a work in progress for MC. Saw about 5 different combinations of DBs but I think they got it right now. Javy Payne is a D1 DB and had been playing through injury. He has 13 ints in 2 seasons. Zander Gorman goes 100mph, 100 % of the time and sometimes that costs him but he doesn't have an off switch. Sophomore Taveras Harrington has been tested by many teams but really has come along . At 6'2 I see him drawing numerous D1 offers soon. I admit I don't know much about this position from SRs side but I have heard they have had growing pains.
Special Teams- Normally hands down SR but I saw the kicker miss 4 FGs against Willowbrook. Despite that, this still goes to SR as I think MC had tried 1 FG, and made it, and I think they have punted maybe 6 times this year as Coach Lynch doesn't like to waste another try at a first down....live by the sword, die by the sword!
After all that, my prediction? Check back Friday! Cheers
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