@BTOWNDawgs taking the lead after 3 weeks

Grabbed some frosty adult beverages with a buddy the other day at Chill's at Central and Grand. It's practically across the street from Hansen stadium, which got me all revved up thinking about CPL Big Shoulders conference football. For those of you not in the know, the Big Shoulders was made up of a handful of NW Side schools that, for a good bit, had no interest in playing the big boys in the CPL. It was crazy. CPL has promotion and relegation... Win the Big Shoulders, get promoted to the Redbird, then either get pummeled and say, "we just can't compete," or simply deny the promotion to the upper tier conference. Best part for me was I lived right around the corner from the Windsor Tavern, where all of the Big Shoulders coaches would hang out and talk about how they were getting over on the rest of the CPL. Generally, they were pretty boring, but because they played early games on Thursday, they would get to the bar early and start throwing cash around. While I miss those days, my liver certainly doesn't. Big Shoulders for life! ON TO THE PICKS!

Lincoln Park vs Clark
Lincoln Park was always the Big Shoulders team that was always on the cusp of promotion. They would win a bunch of games, then lose by 40 to Taft. A few years ago, Clark was all fired up, won a bunch of games, then lost to Taft by 40. I remember both games, not because of the football, but because in the LP v Taft Game, the roof collapsed on the guy next to me in the Lane Stadium bathroom, and before the Clark v Taft game, a random guy bought me breakfast at the Steak n Egger across from Rockne.
TAFT!

Steinmetz vs Little Village
Steinmetz is the alma mater of Hugh Hefner. Little Village is home to some of the best Mexican restaurants in the city. I'm not sure either of those things are relevant, but I am hungry...
Little Village People!

Schurz vs Von Steuben
There is an "athletic field" that was built a few years ago next to Schurz high school on Milwaukee. This construction closed a street to make a full field. Before that, Schurz would host JV football and soccer games on a short (70 yard ish...) field that was shaped like a trapezoid due to the street. It was truly one of the most CPL of CPL things. It was also Big Shoulders to the core.
Schurzly it doesn't matter how good Von is!

Senn vs Mather
If there is one thing you need to remember around here, it's that you never, EVER, pick against the Senn Bulldogs. The true kings of the Big Shoulders!
DAWGS!

Taft vs Amundsen
Full disclosure. I saw this game was at 12pm on a Saturday and got stoked. Another beautiful Saturday in Winnemac Park with the lulu lemon and Pumpkin Spice Latte baby stroller brigade. Roll over to Lincoln Square afterward for a few pops watching college football. That, my friends, is just about a perfect Saturday in the city. Imagine how distraught I was when I found out this game is at Taft. Taft? Didn't they get lights a few years ago? Don't they regularly pack that little stadium on Friday nights? What gives? The baby stroller scene in Norwood Park doesn't hold a candle to Winnemac. This is a straight Travesty. In protest, I'm going straight to the HarHig and passing the game altogether. You can bet there will be some old school Big Shoulders coaches in there talking about the good ol' days and throwing around that CPS Pension Money!

Two weeks in the books and we have ourselves an interesting season already. And with it being crossover week, we have some great matchups. I'm going to set the over/under on Mundelein to New Lenox at 2:15 and the Roscoe Village to Chicago Heights at 1:45. Also: Loyola is hosting a game under the new lights. Someone warn Debbie.

SR @ BR
regular season (neutral field)
[2024] Brother Rice (Chicago, IL) 21 (60%), [2024] St. Rita (Chicago, IL) 17 (40%)
Naz @ MC
regular season (neutral field)
[2024] Mount Carmel (Chicago, IL) 35 (73%), [2024] Nazareth Academy (LaGrange Park, IL) 26 (27%)
ICP @ SI
regular season (neutral field)
[2024] St. Ignatius (Chicago, IL) 38 (74%), [2024] Immaculate Conception (Elmhurst, IL) 28 (26%)
SF @ LA
regular season (neutral field)
[2024] Loyola Academy (Wilmette, IL) 31 (88%), [2024] St. Francis (Wheaton, IL) 12 (12%)
MCHS @ Marist
regular season (neutral field)
[2024] Marist (Chicago, IL) 35 (92%), [2024] Montini Catholic (Lombard, IL) 13 (8%)
F @ JC
regular season (neutral field)
[2024] Fenwick (Oak Park, IL) 24 (65%), [2024] Joliet Catholic Academy (Joliet, IL) 17 (35%)
CoM @ PC
regular season (neutral field)
[2024] Providence Catholic (New Lenox, IL) 24 (58%), [2024] Carmel (Mundelein, IL) 21 (42%)
SL @ ND
regular season (neutral field)
[2024] St. Laurence (Burbank, IL) 24 (61%), [2024] Notre Dame (Niles, IL) 19 (39%)
SV @ MA
regular season (neutral field)
[2024] St. Viator (Arlington Heights, IL) 35 (96%), [2024] Marmion Academy (Aurora, IL) 8 (4%)
BA @ DLS
regular season (neutral field)
[2024] Benet Academy (Lisle, IL) 62 (>99%), [2024] De La Salle (Chicago, IL) 7 (<1%)
SP @ Leo
regular season (neutral field)
[2024] St. Patrick (Chicago, IL) 35 (96%), [2024] Leo (Chicago, IL) 8 (4%)
DP @ Marian, Heights
regular season (neutral field)
[2024] DePaul College Prep (Chicago, IL) 28 (73%), [2024] Marian Catholic (Chicago Heights, IL) 19 (27%)

Getting this done early this weekend since I have a family obligation tonight....also feel free to comment suggest teams in or out etc.

Preliminary Week 4 EDGYTIM Chicagoland Top 30 poll

1. Lincoln Way East 3-0 (1) @ Naperville North
2. Mount Carmel 2-1 (3) vs St Ignatius
3. Cary Grove 3-0 (5) vs Jacobs
4. Batavia 3-0 (6) vs St Charles North
5. Downers Grove North 3-0 (7) @ Proviso West
6. St Francis 3-0 (10) vs St Rita
7. Loyola Academy 1-2 (2) vs Brother Rice
8. York 3-0 (11) @ OPRF
9. Naperville Central 3-0 (12) vs Stagg
10. Barrington 3-0 (13) @ Maine South
11. Marist 3-0 (14) @ Joliet Catholic
12. Nazareth Academy 2-1 (9) vs ICCP
13. Oswego 3-0 (16) vs Joliet Central
14. Geneva 3-0 (17) @ Lake Park
15. Kankakee 2-1 (18) vs Normal Community
16. Joliet Catholic 2-1 (19) vs Marist
17. Libertyville 3-0 (21) vs Lake Zurich
18. St. Rita 2-1 (24) @ St Francis
19. Lake Forest 3-0 (NR) @ Zion Benton
20. Maine South 1-2 (4) vs Barrington
21. Warren Township 1-2 (8) vs Waukegan
22. Hersey 1-2 (NR) @ Glenbrook South
23. Prairie Ridge 3-0 (23) @ Huntley
24. Sycamore 3-0 (26) @ Rochelle
25. Fremd 3-0 (28) @ Deerfield
26. St. Charles North 3-0 (29) @ Batavia
27. Lyons Township 3-0 (30) vs Glenbard West
28. Brother Rice 1-2 (20) @ Loyola Academy
29. Carmel Catholic 2-1 (NR) vs St Laurence
30. St. Laurence 3-0 (NR) @ Carmel Catholic

Out: Glenbard West/Wheaton North/Providence Catholic/Homewood Flossmoor

Others (In no order): Lincoln Way West/Minooka/Benet Academy/Bradley/St. Viator/Wilmington/Morgan Park/Simeon/TF North

This is shaping up to be a battle of the quarterbacks. Malachuk passed for 3,477 yards last season and had 42 touchdowns. Elliott had about the same yardage and accounted for 41 touchdowns. Both teams are coming off back-to-back state championships, Naz in 5A, MC in 7A. The Sun-Times ranks the Road Runners right behind the Caravan. This will be their first meeting since the rain-soaked title game in 2019. The forecast calls for rain.

After two weeks of non-conference games, division games start and will run through Week 7. That lowers the number of games this week to 6, all of which will be played Friday. Looks like rain is possible throughout Friday but the storms that influenced some of the Week 1 games should not return.

West Division
Jacksonville (2-0) at SHG (1-1)
The Crimsons rolled over Eisenhower last week 65-12, while the Cyclones beat Mascoutah 43-22. For Jacksonville to have a chance to stay close, they need to have some balance between running and passing. They only passed 5 times against Pittsfield in Week 1. The Cycs should go to 2-1. SHG 41 Jacksonville 17. Massey Prediction: SHG 42 Jacksonville 14.

Southeast (0-2) at QND (1-1)
QND is coming off a big 22-10 win against perennial 4A playoff team Richmond Burton. Southeast has big play ability but still commits too many penalties and also has turnover issues. The Spartans got way behind in the first half against Lincoln at home and lost 41-20. QND should win comfortably. QND 45 Southeast 12. Massey Prediction: QND 40 Southeast 7.

Springfield (2-0) at Lanphier (0-2)
Not really an away game for the Senators as both teams utilize Memorial Stadium. Lanphier has not scored yet this season and lost 44-0 to East Peoria last week. The Senators got a nice road win at MacArthur last week. Springfield should win big to go to 3-0. Springfield 49 Lanphier 0. Massey Prediction: Springfield 46 Lanphier 6.

East Division
Chatham (1-1) at Eisenhower (0-2)
Chatham came from behind last week on their Missouri road trip and won 35-31. It sounded like they had trouble stopping the run but got the passing attack going in the 2nd half. Eisenhower traveled to Jacksonville and got running clocked 65-12. Chatham should win easily. Chatham 55 Eisenhower 6. Massey Prediction: Chatham 47 Eisenhower 7.

MacArthur (1-1) at U High (1-1)
Tough losses for both teams last week. The Generals lost at their newly renovated stadium to Springfield 21-7. Mac is not known to be a great road team. U High's offense scored 38 against Bloomington but the defense gave up 41. U High needs a fast start and to not let Mac hang around. The longer the game is close, the better chance the Generals have to pull off an upset. I think the Pioneers do enough to go to 2-1 but this should be the best game of the week. U High 31 MacArthur 23. Massey Prediction: MacArthur 35 U High 28.

Rochester (1-1) at Lincoln (2-0)
Who will be QB1 for Rochester with Bryan Zulauf lost for the season? We'll find out Friday, but the most likely scenario is Junior Tanner Beal getting the majority of the snaps with Senior Eli Carlson getting some in short yardage or goal line situations. Lincoln shutout Lanphier in Week 1 and won by three scores last week against Southeast. The Rockets would like to see an improved running attack. Rochester 38 Lincoln 7. Massey Prediction: Rochester 42 Lincoln 6.

A great kid who had his season taken away from him and how he's handling his injury when it comes to his recruiting process.

nm

. . . according to MaxPreps. If true, big win for the young Mustangs on the road at Wojo.

Nm

Since conference play is starting, scoring will change a bit. Please rank games. 12-10-8-6-5-4

Also please post your games in order and use school name, not mascot or other nickname for your picks . Makes scoring dramatically easier

Carol Stream (Glenbard North) at St. Charles (East)
Geneva at Wheaton (Warrenville South)
Roselle (Lake Park) at Batavia
Wheaton (North) at St. Charles (North)
West Chicago (H.S.) at Glen Ellyn (Glenbard South)
Elmhurst (IC Catholic) at Chicago (St. Ignatius)

Game moved from tonight in MO to tomorrow in IL.

Preliminary Week 4 EDGYTIM Class 8A thru Class 4A Top 10 polls

Class 8A

1. Lincoln Way East 3-0 (1) @ Naperville North
2. Loyola 1-2 (2) vs Brother Rice
3. York 3-0 (5) @ OPRF
4. Naperville Central 3-0 (6) vs Stagg
5. Barrington 3-0 (7) @ Maine South
6. Marist 3-0 (8) @ Joliet Catholic
7. Oswego 3-0 (10) vs Joliet Central
8. Maine South 1-2 (3) vs Barrington
9. Warren Township 1-2 (4) @ Lake Forest
10. Fremd 3-0 (NR) @ Deerfield

Out: Homewood Flossmoor

Class 7A

1. Chicago Mount Carmel 2-1 (1) vs Nazareth Academy
2. Batavia 3-0 (2) vs Lake Park
3. Downers Grove North 3-0 (3) vs Glenbard West
4. Edwardsville 1-1 (4) TBA
5. Normal Community 3-0 (9) @ Kankakee
6. St Rita 2-1 (7) @ St. Francis
7. St Charles North 3-0 (NR) @ Batavia
8. Brother Rice 1-2 (6) @ Loyola
9. Hononegah 3-0 (NR) vs Guilford
10. Quincy 3-0 (10) @ Moline

Out: Wheaton North

Class 6A

1. Cary Grove 3-0 (1) vs Jacobs
1. East St Louis 2-0 (1) TBA
3. Geneva 3-0 (3) @ Lake Park
4. Kankakee 2-1 (4) vs Normal Community
5. Libertyville 3-0 (6) vs Lake Zurich
6. Lake Forest 3-0 (NR) @ Zion Benton
7. Simeon 2-1 (8) vs Phillips
8. Glenwood 2-1 (9) vs Rochester
9, Providence Catholic 1-2 (5) vs Niles Notre Dame
10. Washington 1-2 (NR) @ Pekin

Out: Niles Notre Dame

Class 5A

1. Wheaton St Francis 3-0 (2) @ Loyola Academy
2. Nazareth Academy 2-1 (1) @ Mount Carmel
3. Joliet Catholic 2-1 (3) vs Fenwick
4. Prairie Ridge 3-0 (4) vs Hampshire
5. Sycamore 3-0 (5) @ Mahomet Seymour
6. Carmel Catholic 2-1 (7) @ Providence Catholic
7. Peoria 3-0 (9) @ Morris
8. Morgan Park 2-1 (8) @ Westinghouse
9. Benet Academy 3-0 (10) @ DeLaSalle
10. Metamora 2-1 (7) @ Washington


Class 4A

1. Rochester 2-1 (1) @ Glenwood
2, IC College Prep 2-1 (2) @ Nazareth Academy
3. St Laurence 3-0 (7) @ Niles Notre Dame
4. St. Viator 3-0 (5) @ Benet Academy
6. Mt. Zion 2-1 (3) vs Taylorville
7. DePaul Prep 3-0 (8) vs St Patrick
8. Wheaton Academy 2-1 (9) @ Hope Academy
9. Murphysboro 2-1 (10) @ Massac County
10. Dixon 3-0 (NR) @ Genoa Kingston

Out: Richmond Burton

Warren getting shut out by Lake Forest 24-0 in the 4th quarter...

Libertyville beats Stevenson 43-14...
Q Schambow - 5 passing touchdowns and 1 rushing touchdown
B LaVista - 2 touchdowns catches of around 90 yards each

Good morning. A spicy week 1.

Welcome back to all so let’s get started.

1 - That the MSL East will win a game or two just not week 1 - 0-6.
2 - That the table for Fremd to return to the playoffs is set.
3 - That the best team in the state through week 1 is LWE
4 - That is never thought I would see MC and Loyola lose in the same week.
5 - That we have a week where Maine East has more wins than Maine South.
6 - That, for the most part, defenses were not studly in week 1.
7 - That Morrison got its “welcome to the best small school conference in the state” hallmark card.
8 - That SHG got shut out. That, uh, don’t know if we needed to learn that.
9 - That Oswego is going to be a thing or Neuqua won’t be - disucss
10 - That Naz almost did early 2023 Naz things then realized they are Naz and did 2024 post season Naz things.

Thems my thoughts. Yours are welcomed.

Imhotep Charter is 3-0 and conveniently ranked 68th nationally, a spot behind East St. Louis. They are ranked third in PA, 6A PA and the Philly area. For context, the top team, 1-1 St. Joseph's Prep, ranks 28th nationally, with their loss coming to 2-1 St. Ed's of Ohio, ranked 12th. Their loss came to 3-0 Boyle County of Kentucky, which is ranked 58th nationally. For comparison, Milton, GA is tops in GA and they rank 4th in the nation.​

And somewhere amongst those teams, someone knows Kevin Bacon.

This week conference play started up with one non-conference games. This week was also was a little surprising to me with some of the results. Also, in shameless little plug…my boys here in Ronan got their first win of the season last night =D.

United Township 26 @ Sterling 27: Sterling would use special teams and some long missing offensive push to jump out to a 20-17 halftime lead. Defenses would prevail more in the second half as UT would be the only team to score (by FG) before then 6 minute mark of the 4th when Sterling’s Kaden Phillips would return his second punt for a touchdown in the game to make it 27-20. UT would answer back with 88 yrd bomb by QB Christian Peterson. Sterling would block the PAT and get a late game pick to seal the deal. Second straight heartbreak loss by UT to Sterling. In a side note, the Sterling win makes Head Coach Joe Schlemmer the winningest coach in Sterling History.

Morrison 31 @ Galesburg 14: Maybe helmet curses don’t exist outside of the conference? Also, high school football is crazy and what’s on paper matters for beans. Galesburg would score first, but then Morrison would come out in Wing T and Wishbone and bludgeon their way to a 17-7 halftime lead. Half way through the 3rd, Galesburg would try a field goal that was block, roll forward, no whistle and Galesburg picked it up and ran it in. Officials would rule it a no score. Morrison to go on to kill the next 9 and a half minutes to go up 24-7 which really nailed the lid shut. If there is a positive for Galesburg, their running back is a very hard runner but they need to find a way to help him out.

Moline 51 @ Geneseo 21: This was a back and forth game for the 1st half with neither defense able to slow the others offense down. Moline held a slight 24-21 lead at the half. 2nd half was a whooole different game as Moline’s D put the clamps down and the offense wore down and out athlete the Geneseo defense. Moline would roll up 397 on the ground and looks solid after last weeks 2nd melt down at Benet. Geneseo got it’s first true test and had a solid 1st half but has to figure out how to maintain in tight games.

Rock Island 7 @ Quincy 48: Im not sure if Rock Island never got the bus or if Quincy decided to show it can actually be bloodthirsty. Quincy dominated on both sides of the ball in the first half to build a 41-0 halftime lead and set it on cruise control for the younger kids the rest of the way. Bradyn Little was 21/24 for 320 yards and 5 TD…in a half of football. Rocky had no answers on offense and even less on defense. Just brutal to watch…unless you love spread em out and pitch and catch football.

Nm

CCL Fresh/Soph Scores (Week 3)