On one knee tooNovickas Dad played one of the great high school games of all time for SR in 89 at Gately
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On one knee tooNovickas Dad played one of the great high school games of all time for SR in 89 at Gately
TolandGreat post! I think this list is pretty accurate, but apologies if some were missed. MC has Boyle, Chirillo, Daigler, Deacy, Dowling, Doyle, Frangella, Fleck, Furlong, McCool, Medina, Novickas!, O'Brien and Regan.
Hoping for a game where both teams play their best, there are no serious injuries...and MC wins!
Novickas Dad played one of the great high school games of all time for SR in 89 at Gately
Really dominant in the 88 semifinal when Novickas, Hamilton, Charnot, Kingsbury, McGuire, Foys, Spero, sometimes Clince and run support SS Pena stopped all of the MC running game.On one knee too
A freak sleet storm might help a little.... and let ALL the kids get out the game healthy and their heads held high.Final thoughts on the 101st meeting before I begin my 24 hour fasting and self-flagellation ritual that I have done prior to the last 44 meetings.
Really special to see so many names of the players on the rosters that have had Dads play in the rivalry. Hate to miss anyone and MC fans would know the Caravan ones better but I see Kingsbury, Kuska, Courtney, Middleton, Strelczyk, Schmitt, Stawczyk, Kelly, Blake, Mandel, Burke, Bubacz, Wiatrak, Henson. Of course, Novickas on MC chose his Uncle's alma mater over his Dad's but even those type of decisions get remembered in the lore surrounding this rivalry.
Nick Strelczyk, who missed week 1, is playing at a high level, I'd say a Valen Erickson level which I don't toss around lightly. A P5 will get a gift if they offer. But this will be the best front seven he has seen this year so it will be exciting to watch Armbruster, Strelczyk, Gerger, Gomez and Courtney try to make room against the best front 7 in the state.
Obviously I'm pulling for St. Rita but, I mean, to pull this one off is just hard to imagine. But the football is oblong and hard to handle sometimes so I'll allow myself to imagine. Paths that give me hope:
I already mentioned the offensive line but prior to the Quarterfinals they had only been penalized 3 times for holding. But even with Mt. Carmel being penalized a bit the last half? of the season, the games between these two state powers usually have few penalties called other than the procedural stuff. I remember @MWittman mentioning to me how clean and fast week one's game went and I told him, it's been like that (few penalties) between these two well-coached teams for the last decade. So winning or not losing the free/given yards battle would help. Avoid bad downs and distances.
The St. Rita O has to stack first downs. It's the only path. If it takes the whole roster to accomplish that, then it takes the whole roster, everything has to be on the table in this one.
St. Rita special teams have been an incredible difference maker this whole year. And when a crazy result happens at the NFL or College level, you can look at special teams many times as the reason. A game should go a certain way and there is really no way the script can get flipped and then something crazy on special teams happens and onlookers are stunned. The ball is shaped weird, the weather is cold, the ball is slippery for both teams.
And the St. Rita Defense just playing their best at the right time of the season. I hope they blitz 9. I hope they drop 9, I hope they drop Farrell's 6'6 frame a wingspan into quick passing lanes, I hope they try everything. But what it will come down to will be tackling. Period. A 5 yard pass must be a 5 yard pass. Manning cannot get loose. Their ball handlers are monsters, difference-makers, special. I don't know what scheme can work against them, but I know the damage can be minimized if the communication and tackling is at its very best.
There it is. 3 paths needed to accomplish to bring this game into the 4th quarter, into instant classic territory. Here is to an exemplary, respected foe, opponent, rival, brother; best of health to your Caravan. See you Saturday afternoon
McClowry was a great player. Baseball too. If that game was on turf instead of in the slop it may have gone different. MC took advantage of Rita’s DBs with heavy muddy shoes and threw more that game then they have all year.Really dominant in the 88 semifinal when Novickas, Hamilton, Charnot, Kingsbury, McGuire, Foys, Spero, sometimes Clince and run support SS Pena stopped all of the MC running game.
Um, bad part of that was, nevermind my phone is about to die.
Bobby Sanders/Bobby MedinaGreat post! I think this list is pretty accurate, but apologies if some were missed. MC has Boyle, Chirillo, Daigler, Deacy, Dowling, Doyle, Frangella, Fleck, Furlong, McCool, Medina, Novickas!, O'Brien and Regan.
Hoping for a game where both teams play their best, there are no serious injuries...and MC wins!
From what I have seen they seem to be the same guys just 30 years older now.Do you think we should compare today’s referees to the ones of the ‘90’s?
He won't if they keep sending him up the middle.Manning cannot get loose
". . . . for getting my bag back last year . . . " LOL! That was the icing on the cake! It's a great story!I’m a fan of both programs. But I’m pulling for Cascia. For Todd, for better looking uniforms, for getting my bag back last year and for the SR posters. Best of luck to both of these storied programs!
Not only that, I mean I love that Swagger cheers for us but a returned bag, maybe some donuts and coffee and MS4 is like all first name basis Toddin’ me. I mean here I am nearly 50 years watching St. Rita, at almost 250 games, sears toughskin-husky wearing bowl haircut kid carrying Zavagnin, Duffy, Craig, Bayers etc helmets, 2 kids through the program and I can’t even call Coach Kuska, Todd. I mean @MS4EVER , did you put your feet up on his desk when you and Coach Kuska shared some coffee and conversation 😂". . . . for getting my bag back last year . . . " LOL! That's all it took! It's a great story!
You put in the damn time and MS4EVER loses a damn bag, one would expect the opposite! LOL.Not only that, I mean I love that Swagger cheers for us but a returned bag, maybe some donuts and coffee and MS4 is like all first name basis Toddin’ me. I mean here I am nearly 50 years watching St. Rita, at almost 250 games, sears toughskin-husky wearing bowl haircut kid carrying Zavagnin, Duffy, Craig, Bayers etc helmets, 2 kids through the program and I can’t even call Coach Kuska, Todd. I mean @MS4EVER , did you put your feet up on his desk when you and Coach Kuska shared some coffee and conversation 😂
What am I chopped liver? JK.. I’ll be rooting from the warmth of my family room tomorrow. Go Rita Go!!You put in the damn time and MS4EVER loses a damn bag, one would expect the opposite! LOL.
Regardless of any outcomes, Cascia should honor MS4EVER whether it be in the head coach's office because he's actually been there!! Or next year honor him during Week 1 when Rita plays against a suburban public school opponent.
I love the fact that some of the real good posters on here root for Rita, like MS4EVER, GENE! and the iconic MWittman (not saying he's choosing a side in this game, but I know he's a true Rita fan).
You are NOT chopped liver--that's why I edited my post! My bad, my friend.What am I chopped liver? JK.. I’ll be rooting from the warmth of my family room tomorrow. Go Rita Go!!
I’m putting cases on all ya!!! GO CARAVAN!!What am I chopped liver? JK.. I’ll be rooting from the warmth of my family room tomorrow. Go Rita Go!!
Heavy is the head that wears the crown. Rest assured that if the Mustangs lose I’ll be a Caravan fan next week.I’m putting cases on all ya!!! GO CARAVAN!!
Not only that, I mean I love that Swagger cheers for us but a returned bag, maybe some donuts and coffee and MS4 is like all first name basis Toddin’ me. I mean here I am nearly 50 years watching St. Rita, at almost 250 games, sears toughskin-husky wearing bowl haircut kid carrying Zavagnin, Duffy, Craig, Bayers etc helmets, 2 kids through the program and I can’t even call Coach Kuska, Todd. I mean @MS4EVER , did you put your feet up on his desk when you and Coach Kuska shared some coffee and conversation 😂
That's awesome! He's up against it tomorrow but man did he take this program on an incredible ride and leaving it in great shape going forward. Just lucky to have someone like him around for so longI don’t want to upset you more Rock, but he actually invited me to his HOUSE to pick up the bag! Yeah we’re pretty much best friends now!
Too late ... we won't want you. Dance with the girl ya brung.Heavy is the head that wears the crown. Rest assured that if the Mustangs lose I’ll be a Caravan fan next week.
Is there room for me?Too late ... we won't want you. Dance with the girl ya brung.
Classic RockSoup! Good luck today.Not only that, I mean I love that Swagger cheers for us but a returned bag, maybe some donuts and coffee and MS4 is like all first name basis Toddin’ me. I mean here I am nearly 50 years watching St. Rita, at almost 250 games, sears toughskin-husky wearing bowl haircut kid carrying Zavagnin, Duffy, Craig, Bayers etc helmets, 2 kids through the program and I can’t even call Coach Kuska, Todd. I mean @MS4EVER , did you put your feet up on his desk when you and Coach Kuska shared some coffee and conversation 😂
And to your Beast as well. Going to be a classic in Frankfort today! Enjoy itClassic RockSoup! Good luck today.
If you look at the tape @ the 1:48 mark Jordan Lynch is stopped at the goal line on 4th down by #44 and #2 with the assist. #44 is Marty Hopkins the new incoming coach at St. Rita. #2 is Dave Marciano who was a teammate of Jordan Lynch at St. Christina. WCIU broadcasted this game as their Game of the Week. The Daily Southtown did a multi page supplement in their newspaper for this game. There was a TV interview if I remember right about how 4 or 5 kids were on each team who played together at St. Christina.