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Week 9 CCL/ESCC RockSoup® Prediction Thread presented by Ignazio®

ignazio

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Oct 25, 2007
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As our weekly author tours the Hill Country and samples its many varietals, we re-focus our energies to make-or-break week in the Greatest Football Conference in America.


Marist @ BR
neutral field
[2022] Brother Rice (Chicago, IL) 22, [2022] Marist (Chicago, IL) 21
MC @ LA
neutral field
[2022] Mount Carmel (Chicago, IL) 34, [2022] Loyola Academy (Wilmette, IL) 26
ND @ SR
neutral field
[2022] St. Rita (Chicago, IL) 24, [2022] Notre Dame (Niles, IL) 13
Naz @ BA
neutral field
[2022] Nazareth Academy (LaGrange Park, IL) 21, [2022] Benet Academy (Lisle, IL) 12
SL @ PC
neutral field
[2022] Providence Catholic (New Lenox, IL) 31, [2022] St. Laurence (Burbank, IL) 17
MCHS @ JC
neutral field
[2022] Joliet Catholic Academy (Joliet, IL) 42, [2022] Montini Catholic (Lombard, IL) 17
SV @ SP
neutral field
[2022] St. Patrick (Chicago, IL) 24, [2022] St. Viator (Arlington Heights, IL) 21
CoM @ Marian, Heights
neutral field
[2022] Carmel (Mundelein, IL) 35, [2022] Marian Catholic (Chicago Heights, IL) 26
DP @ Marian, Woodpile
neutral field
[2022] DePaul College Prep (Chicago, IL) 41, [2022] Marian Central Catholic (Woodstock, IL) 31
Rich @ Leo
neutral field
[2022] Rich Township (Olympia Fields, IL) 34, [2022] Leo (Chicago, IL) 17
MA @ DLS
neutral field
[2022] Marmion Academy (Aurora, IL) 21, [2022] De La Salle (Chicago, IL) 20
SI @ F
neutral field
[2022] St. Ignatius (Chicago, IL) 34, [2022] Fenwick (Oak Park, IL) 17
 
As our weekly author tours the Hill Country and samples its many varietals,
although I do enjoy many varietals over the different regions I'm fortunate to travel to, nothing in my mind beats an ice cold 6 pack of Old Style cans, washed down with a 6 pack of Miller Lite cans. I switch to Lite so I don't get too bloated for brunch.

Now I'm seeing on Twitter that St. Rita Football is celebrating Kuska Week with some really nice videos.



I can celebrate the man's career while still wondering why he's not putting out his most dangerous lineup this year.
 
Here we go, week 9!

Marist +1- I think Marist's receivers give BR problems, I'll take the point.

LA +8- Think it will be a 7 point game.

Rita -9- SR wins by 20

Naz -9- They need this to move on, Naz by 14

Provi -14- They will win by 21

JCA -25. Montini wants this season over with. JCA by 35

Pats -3. Both need this to move on, I think Pats by 10.

C of M +9- Lock of the week

MCC +10- I guess

Leo +17- Lets Go L-E-O

DLS +1- Marty I've bet on you every week and lost. Gimme 1 will ya?

Fenwick +17- This is a gamble but I'll take 17 I guess.
 
BR -1
Loyola +8
NND +11
Naz -9
PC -14
JCA -25
St. Pats -3
Carmel -8
MCC +10
Rich -17
Marmion -1
Iggy -17
 
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Marist +1
Loyola +8.....When was the last time LA was a projected 8-point underdog?
Rita -11
Naz -9
Provi -14
Montini +25....can't pass up this many points, even with the game at Joliet Memorial.
Pat's -3
Marian Cath +9
DePaul -10
Rich Township -17
Marmion -1
Fenwick +17.....again seems like too many points to give in this matchup with the Wolfpack.
 
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It's maybe an overused expression around these parts, but I really can't believe it's week 9. How quickly it goes. I think it has something to do with the fact that college football is really just halfway through its regular season and the NFL is basically a third through. Makes it feel strange that high school is about to wrap up and move into the playoffs. It's a fun week 9, at least, with multiple make-or-break games.

Marist +1 vs Brother Rice: Overshadowed by the other Blue game, both these teams have the make-up to make a deep postseason run. Hell, Brother Rice only lost to MC by a TD and Marist played Loyola really tough. I think the RedHawks win this one by a FG.

Loyola +8 vs Mount Carmel: An 8-0 Loyola team that has won every game by double digits getting 8 points at home?! Give me that all day.

Rita -11 vs ND: Two very physical teams. Dons don't quite have the horses to keep up with the Mustangs, especially on the road. Rita wins 28-10

Naz -9 vs Benet: First of the make-or-break games. Roadrunners made easy work of rival Montini last week, while Benet's offense has struggled the past couple weeks. I think Naz wins this one by two TDs and punches its ticket.

PC -14 vs StL: The Celtics have put up legitimate fights against three state title contenders (JCA, LA, Rita). The Celtics punch their ticket this week and will be a legit threat to win 4A.

JCA -25 vs Montini: JCA will be able to rest starters in this game and still win by 4+ TDs.

St. Patrick -3 vs Viator: The other make-or-break game. Both teams got completely dominated by Blue opponents last week. Shamrocks ride home field advantage and sneak into the playoffs.

Marian +9 vs CoM: The Corsairs have clinched their spot. The Spartans need to win. Call me crazy, but I think Marian takes advantage of the LONG ride from Mundelein to Chicago Heights and punches a ticket to the postseason.

DePaul -10 vs MCC: The Hurricanes left the conference. But still played four conference opponents. They'll cap off a disappointing year with a loss to the young Rams.

Rich Township -17 vs Leo: Not sure, but Rich needs a win to get in so I give them the nod.

Marmion -1 vs DLS: Disappointing season for both teams.

Ignatius -17 vs Fenwick: The Friars "clinched" their spot with a forfeit win last week? Iggy will fine tune its option attack this week and get ready for a playoff run. They've really recovered well after a very surprsing week 1 loss to the Shamrocks.
 
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Week 9. With the season end looming, guys starting to reflect in their comments. love it.

Marist 1. Flip a coin. Emotions early will push BR to a lead. Special teams will make it 10-0 BR. Marist claws back and a costly TO will decide this game. Both teams become a scary low seed in the postseason.

Loyola Academy 8. 1 to many points. If you are a Caravan fan tease this down to -2.

St. Rita -11 late TD covers.

Nazareth Academy -9. My play of the week.

Providence Catholic -14

Joliet Catholic Academy -25

St. Patrick -3

Marian Catholic 9

Marian Central Catholic 10

Rich Township -17

De La Salle 1

Fenwick 17
 
Not gonna miss one this week!! Going for a perfect sweep!
BR -1
Loyola +8
ND +11
Naz -9
Providence -14
JCA -25
Pats -3
Carmel -9
DePaul -10
Rich -17
Marmion -1
Fenwick +17 Iggy by 10
 
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BR: -1. Should be a really good game with both teams primed for a deep run in the playoffs.

Loyola +8 I love Mount Carmel but the rule of thumb is never bet against Loyola and you won’t be surprised.

ND +11 I think the Dons can make this interesting.

Benet +9 last weeks performance wasn’t inspiring but they played BR close and beat the Dons. In the must win game for both teams I’m picking the upset.

Providence -14

JCA -25 Unfortunate for Montini hopefully they bounce back strong next year.

St. Pats -3 I think Pats is going to end up winning this by 10 and punching their ticket to the playoffs.

Carmel -9 Carmel could be a frisky team in 5A

DePaul -10 A shame MCC left the conference.

Rich -17

De La Salle +1 a down year for both teams looking to bounce back next year. Choosing De La Salle solely because they need the win more.

Fenwick +17 this game has lost much of its luster from last year. Both teams have steadily improved throughout the year and put up similar numbers against conference opponents. I don’t see if going more than a TD either way.
 
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Marist +1
MC-8
Rita -11
Naz -9
Provi -14
Montini +25
SV +3
Carmel of M +9
MCC +10
Leo +17
Marmion -1
Fenwick +17
 
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Blessed Edmund -1 (pray for us)
Loyola +8
St. Rita -11
Benet +9
Providence -14
Joliet Catholic -25
St. Patrick -3
Marian South +9
Marian North +10
L-e-o +17
Marmion -1
Fenwick +17
 
Last edited:
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Blessed Edmund -1 (pray for us)
Marnt Carmel +8
St. Rita -9
Benet +9
Providence -14
Joliet Catholic -25
St. Patrick -3
Marian South +9
Marian North +10
L-e-o +17
Marmion -1
Fenwick +17
I had to enlighten a young family member last week at St.Laurence the difference between Lasallian and Irish Christian brothers. I reminded him it’s ok to strongly dislike the Lasallian’s but we have a strong history with Blessed Edmund Rice. He took me too literally and lost to SL. Hopefully our subsequent talks will go better.
 
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although I do enjoy many varietals over the different regions I'm fortunate to travel to, nothing in my mind beats an ice cold 6 pack of Old Style cans, washed down with a 6 pack of Miller Lite cans. I switch to Lite so I don't get too bloated for brunch.

Now I'm seeing on Twitter that St. Rita Football is celebrating Kuska Week with some really nice videos.



I can celebrate the man's career while still wondering why he's not putting out his most dangerous lineup this year.
I was a little surprised at the last sentence. I have not followed the teams that closely this year. But talking to a couple of guys who know the program they think that the two top RB’s should both be in the backfield at the same time not platooned. Also maybe the other QB should be starting. Call it the three headed monster. ???
 
Last edited:
As our weekly author tours the Hill Country and samples its many varietals, we re-focus our energies to make-or-break week in the Greatest Football Conference in America.


Marist @ BR
neutral field
[2022] Brother Rice (Chicago, IL) 22, [2022] Marist (Chicago, IL) 21
MC @ LA
neutral field
[2022] Mount Carmel (Chicago, IL) 34, [2022] Loyola Academy (Wilmette, IL) 26
ND @ SR
neutral field
[2022] St. Rita (Chicago, IL) 24, [2022] Notre Dame (Niles, IL) 13
Naz @ BA
neutral field
[2022] Nazareth Academy (LaGrange Park, IL) 21, [2022] Benet Academy (Lisle, IL) 12
SL @ PC
neutral field
[2022] Providence Catholic (New Lenox, IL) 31, [2022] St. Laurence (Burbank, IL) 17
MCHS @ JC
neutral field
[2022] Joliet Catholic Academy (Joliet, IL) 42, [2022] Montini Catholic (Lombard, IL) 17
SV @ SP
neutral field
[2022] St. Patrick (Chicago, IL) 24, [2022] St. Viator (Arlington Heights, IL) 21
CoM @ Marian, Heights
neutral field
[2022] Carmel (Mundelein, IL) 35, [2022] Marian Catholic (Chicago Heights, IL) 26
DP @ Marian, Woodpile
neutral field
[2022] DePaul College Prep (Chicago, IL) 41, [2022] Marian Central Catholic (Woodstock, IL) 31
Rich @ Leo
neutral field
[2022] Rich Township (Olympia Fields, IL) 34, [2022] Leo (Chicago, IL) 17
MA @ DLS
neutral field
[2022] Marmion Academy (Aurora, IL) 21, [2022] De La Salle (Chicago, IL) 20
SI @ F
neutral field
[2022] St. Ignatius (Chicago, IL) 34, [2022] Fenwick (Oak Park, IL) 17
Marist +1
Loyola Academy +8
St. Rita -11
Benet +9
Providence Catholic -14
Joliet Catholic -25
St. Patrick -3
Marian Catholic of Chicago Heights +9
Marian Central Catholic of Woodstock +10
LEO +17
Marmion Academy -1
Fenwick +17
 
I was a little surprised at the last sentence. I have not followed the teams that closely this year. But talking to a couple of guys who know the program they think that the two top RB’s should both be in the backfield at the same time not platooned. Also maybe the other QB should be starting. Call it the three headed monster. ???
I think that this year’s team would be better served with the 2006 Balsam-Hood-Moore playbook than a 2020 Ulatowski-Henry Wilson-Isaiah Bragg-Kaleb Brown playbook on personnel alone. This year’s O looks like trying to stuff a square peg into a round hole.

From afar, it might not look like a big deal meaning: This St. Rita team can go into Providence and beat PC by more than JCA did, so all things look decent and they’ll be heavy favorites against 20-24 of the teams in 7A.

But I think once you get to the top 8 teams in 7A (excluding MC), the games and matchups are coin flips and I see getting first downs, resting the D and scoring TDs inside the 20 as being crucial to staying in those games until the OLine finally breaks the will of the other team.

The offense, currently constructed, isn’t that consistent in those areas except for the late game take overs that has happened since week 4 but that’s been more of a function of an excellent Offensive Line and the incredible hard running of #17 DJ Stewart.

Give me the senior QB with Ethan and DJ split in the backfield. You’ll face 9 in the box but you can’t fill 3 lanes with 9. It’s still teenagers with defensive responsibilities that may fail at times and when they do, it would be a first down, another 3 minutes off the clock or sometimes missed assignments or tackles can be a TD with the talent of the Mustang ballhandlers. And after facing a half of that, you get to play another half vs more of the same and the holes get bigger and tackling gets sloppier as it already does this season just banging the D with one of them all game.

Alas, it may be too late. I was so excited after the Benet game when I caught a glimpse of it, then ok with it as the QBs swapped series vs St. Patrick’s and then got a bit disheartened after seeing the final decision vs Naz, I couldn’t fake a Rock’s recap. It’s a great team and they’ll beat the teams they should but up against the 7A contenders, things will break differently and could lead to an earlier exit than one would predict with the talent on the roster.
 
I think that this year’s team would be better served with the 2006 Balsam-Hood-Moore playbook than a 2020 Ulatowski-Henry Wilson-Isaiah Bragg-Kaleb Brown playbook on personnel alone. This year’s O looks like trying to stuff a square peg into a round hole.

From afar, it might not look like a big deal meaning: This St. Rita team can go into Providence and beat PC by more than JCA did, so all things look decent and they’ll be heavy favorites against 20-24 of the teams in 7A.

But I think once you get to the top 8 teams in 7A (excluding MC), the games and matchups are coin flips and I see getting first downs, resting the D and scoring TDs inside the 20 as being crucial to staying in those games until the OLine finally breaks the will of the other team.

The offense, currently constructed, isn’t that consistent in those areas except for the late game take overs that has happened since week 4 but that’s been more of a function of an excellent Offensive Line and the incredible hard running of #17 DJ Stewart.

Give me the senior QB with Ethan and DJ split in the backfield. You’ll face 9 in the box but you can’t fill 3 lanes with 9. It’s still teenagers with defensive responsibilities that may fail at times and when they do, it would be a first down, another 3 minutes off the clock or sometimes missed assignments or tackles can be a TD with the talent of the Mustang ballhandlers. And after facing a half of that, you get to play another half vs more of the same and the holes get bigger and tackling gets sloppier as it already does this season just banging the D with one of them all game.

Alas, it may be too late. I was so excited after the Benet game when I caught a glimpse of it, then ok with it as the QBs swapped series vs St. Patrick’s and then got a bit disheartened after seeing the final decision vs Naz, I couldn’t fake a Rock’s recap. It’s a great team and they’ll beat the teams they should but up against the 7A contenders, things will break differently and could lead to an earlier exit than one would predict with the talent on the roster.
Kirk Herbstreit said during the Bears game that the Bears drafted Justin Fields because of his talent then don’t call an offensive scheme that utilizes that talent. St. Rita is sort of in the same mold. The starting QB is a possession runner but not the treat the other kid is to go all the way. I had a nephew on the 2006 team. SR needs the bigger guy playing QB. For the ND game I think the coach will keep things as they are, but in the playoffs will make a change if the offense isn’t working? Kuska is a great guy in my book, but sometimes you get too close to a problem to see what’s right in front of you.
 
I had to enlighten a young family member last week at St.Laurence the difference between Lasallian and Irish Christian brothers. I reminded him it’s ok to strongly dislike the Lasallian’s but we have a strong history with Blessed Edmund Rice. He took me too literally and lost to SL. Hopefully our subsequent talks will go better.
You have to say 10 Hail Mary’s & 10 Our Fathers for talking bad about the LaSallian Christian Brothers! Other words can be used to describe a certain congregation that left a certain HS high and dry years back….
 
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You have to say 10 Hail Mary’s & 10 Our Fathers for talking bad about the LaSallian Christian Brothers! Other words can be used to describe a certain congregation that left a certain HS high and dry years back….
I did say strongly dislike. Let’s not talk about that order. My next kid will be shipped south to those other Brothers.
 
Kirk Herbstreit said during the Bears game that the Bears drafted Justin Fields because of his talent then don’t call an offensive scheme that utilizes that talent. St. Rita is sort of in the same mold. The starting QB is a possession runner but not the treat the other kid is to go all the way. I had a nephew on the 2006 team. SR needs the bigger guy playing QB. For the ND game I think the coach will keep things as they are, but in the playoffs will make a change if the offense isn’t working? Kuska is a great guy in my book, but sometimes you get too close to a problem to see what’s right in front of you.
And talking HS football, I do concern myself with what I say and how I say it. So some early footnotes to the discussion.

St. Rita doesn’t continue being a top program in the state and be currently healthy as ever without Coach Kuska, so nothing can ever take away his impact.

The Junior QB will be fine with another off season and getting the lower level skill group up with him next year.

That being said, the current wide receivers are fine football players.

But and there’s always a but, none of the above give a large enough edge in any portion of the game to be secure from any strategy change.

A few things stuck out to me over the year.

MC, LA: obv great teams but the inability to get first downs and turning the ball over on our side of the field made those games embarrassing blowouts when our roster says they don’t have to be.

Benet, still not moving the ball or chains, Coach Kuska makes the change and it’s a beautiful one and a half quarters of productive football. And I love watching any QBs read at mesh point, and the senior made a questionable read on a keep and the result? 30 yard TD. It’s a game changing ability even when best laid plans go to crap.

St. Pats. JR QB makes the right read at mesh, gains 20. Good right? Maybe maybe not, because during that game they switched series and the senior ran over the tacklers on the way to a 40 yard TD run. Then you say, the junior had a 70 yard TD run. Fine but the description was that he was untouched. Playoff football will be less room and rarely will anyone go untouched. And if you read correctly in the playoffs, then the play has to go as far as possible and not just satisfied with 15 or 20.

Naz. I’m thinking ok, Junior QB getting series to protect senior’s maybe injury from Pat’s game, I don’t know, I’m confused. Anyway, Junior has to step out of the game for a minute at Naz 30 up 10-3 after 27 minutes of play. Senior comes in and without both starting tailbacks as Calvin Lee steps into the backfield, both proceed to go 25 yards for a TD in 2 minutes. What looked hard for a half, looked simple in those two minutes.

I mean, we lose 2 Kingsburys after this year, and watching Joe play the way he played against PC, sacrificing his body every play in what I think was his best game to date, I just couldn’t stay quiet anymore. There’s nothing to be quiet about or disrespectful about anything we are saying. The same Coach has done it both ways in his career so just asking for a little reversion back to his first 18 years’ strategy that won him a crapload of games. 300 yards rushing, QB 4 of 7 passing or whatever
 
Playing vertical on a few of these this week, playing catch-up to McC et al.
Going totally on spreads here - don’t @ me.
Marist, LA, SR, Naz, SL, MCHS, SP, CoM, Woodpile, Leo, DLS, SI.
 
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week 9 news and notes:

McCar continues his run and finishes the regular season as Wins champ and Win Percentage champ.

BnR and usd tied McCar for the most wins this week.

7.77 (how nice for a Catholic pick contest) was par. So pjjp, ref, boundary, stl, escc and rock joined the aforementioned in gaining on the field.

We will see if McCar can continue his crystal ballin into the playoffs and take home the full season long crown.

But, and there's always a but, I will calculate the playoffs from 0 to crown a post-season champ just to spice it up a bit. All totals will still fill into the season long numbers to crown the 14 week champ if anyone can catch McCar.

I'll crowdsource this one. List all the CCL/ESCC playoff teams below and what class they are in to save me some time.

The playoffs pick'ems will include any Prep Bowl playoff games A- because it adds even more fun, B- it pisses off the right people when we talk Prep Bowl and C- my pappy and granddaddy would smack me from the grave if I didn't include the Prep Bowl playoffs
 
week 9 news and notes:

McCar continues his run and finishes the regular season as Wins champ and Win Percentage champ.

BnR and usd tied McCar for the most wins this week.

7.77 (how nice for a Catholic pick contest) was par. So pjjp, ref, boundary, stl, escc and rock joined the aforementioned in gaining on the field.

We will see if McCar can continue his crystal ballin into the playoffs and take home the full season long crown.

But, and there's always a but, I will calculate the playoffs from 0 to crown a post-season champ just to spice it up a bit. All totals will still fill into the season long numbers to crown the 14 week champ if anyone can catch McCar.

I'll crowdsource this one. List all the CCL/ESCC playoff teams below and what class they are in to save me some time.

The playoffs pick'ems will include any Prep Bowl playoff games A- because it adds even more fun, B- it pisses off the right people when we talk Prep Bowl and C- my pappy and granddaddy would smack me from the grave if I didn't include the Prep Bowl playoffs
I always win things when no money is awarded to the winner 😂
 
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