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Joliet Catholic
2021 spring record: 6-0, White Division champion
Coach: Jake Jaworski
Worth noting: The Hilltoppers averaged 45 points a game in the spring, and only one team held them below 40 points (St. Ignatius in a 21-7 Joliet Catholic win). ... That explosive offense returns RB Jordan Anderson, who was the MVP of the CCL/ESCC White in the spring. Anderson (6-3, 230) is a senior committed to play at Illinois. ... Senior QB Aidan Voss (5-10, 180) completed almost 60% of his passes and accounted for almost 1,000 yards of total offense in the spring. ... Senior LB Malachi Hood (6-2, 210) also is committed to play at Illinois. He will provide playmaking ability for the defense. ... The Hilltoppers will play all five of their home games within the first six weeks before ending with road trips to Brother Rice, Benet and Montini. Nonconference games with Crete-Monee and Simeon make for intriguing matchups.
Montini
2021 spring record: 2-3
Coach: Mike Bukovsky
Worth noting: The Broncos will have a lot of speed at the offensive skill positions. RB Josh Robinson rushed for 520 yards in five games last season as a sophomore. At 6-foot-2, 215 pounds, he’s a tough running back to bring down. ... Junior QB Cole Teschner (6-2, 190) saw significant playing time in the spring and is receiving interest from Division I programs, Bukovsky said. ... WRs Mingo Nixon (6-2, 180), Mario Florio (5-11, 185), Trey Barrett (6-2, 185) and Estevan Moreno (6-2, 205) have varsity experience. ... Defensively, Montini has seven starters returning, including senior linebackers Jackson McWhinney (5-11, 220) and Mike Carver (5-10, 210). Florio joins Deion Manley (6-2, 210) as returning senior defensive backs.
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Providence
2021 spring record: 4-2
Coach: Mark Coglianese
Worth noting: This will be Coglianese’s final season as head coach at Providence. It will be his 16th season as head coach and his 35th on the coaching staff at Providence. He has been a part of nine state championships during that time. He is only the second head coach in school history. ... Senior WR/DB Brayden Garrigan (5-9, 170) is a playmaker on both sides of the ball. He was an All-Green Division performer in the spring. ... Ethan Litynski (5-10, 150), Jamari Tribett (5-6, 185) and Kaden Nickel (5-8, 176) will give Providence a nice stable of running backs. ... Adam Jostes (6-1, 225), Aidan Mack (6-4, 265) and Liam McDermott (6-1, 215) provide experience on the offensive line. ... Garrigan, Ethan Martus (5-8, 155), Logan Schultz (5-11, 175) and Jack Tess (5-11, 165) give the Celtics a lot of depth at defensive back.
St. Laurence
2021 spring record: 2-4
Coach: Adam Nissen
Worth noting: St. Laurence has several senior leaders returning on defense. LB Ryan Carroll (5-11, 190), LB Zack Siebenaler (5-10, 195), CB Ardell Chambers (5-9, 165), DL Aidan Anderson (6-2, 230) and DB Anthony Petan (6-2, 175) will provide veteran experience for that side of the ball. ... Carroll and Chambers were both All-Orange Division performers in the spring on defense (Carroll also plays running back). ... Anderson and Andrew Rybicki (5-10, 205) bring experience to the offensive line, while varsity newcomers Jack McGeehan (6-2, 270) and Anthony Gonzalez (6-0, 220) should have a chance to contribute. ... Senior quarterback Brandon McCoy (6-0, 185) will be tasked with taking over for former Orange Division MVP Darius Wilson, who wowed fans with his dual-threat ability. ... Nissen expects a number of new faces to have chances to see reps early in the season.
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FIVE PLAYERS TO WATCH
- Jordan Anderson, Joliet Catholic, sr., RB: Anderson turned in multiple big-time performances during the spring 2021 season and has committed to Illinois.
- Ryan Carroll, St. Laurence, sr., RB/LB: Carroll plays both ways and was an all-conference performer last season as a linebacker.
- Brayden Garrigan, Providence Catholic, sr., WR/DB: Garrigan will be a contributor on both sides of the ball. At 5-9, 170 pounds, he’s not the biggest guy, but he packs a punch.
- Malachi Hood, Joliet Catholic, sr., LB: Hood will join teammate Jordan Anderson at Illinois next year. He should be a staple of the Hilltoppers’ defense this season.
- Josh Robinson, Montini, jr., RB: Robinson rushed for more than 100 yards a game in five games last spring.
SCHEDULES
| Joliet Catholic | Montini | Providence | St. Laurence | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | vs. Simeon; 7 p.m., Aug. 27 | vs. IC Catholic; 7:15 p.m., Aug. 27 | vs. Willowbrook; 7:30 p.m., Aug. 27 | vs. Moline; 7:30 p.m, Aug. 27 |
| Week 2 | at Cardinal Ritter College Prep (Mo.); 2 p.m., Sept. 4 | at Sterling; 7 p.m., Sept. 3 | at Wheaton North; 7:30 p.m., Sept. 3 | at Chicago Brooks; 7 p.m., Sept. 3 |
| Week 3 | vs. De La Salle; 7:30 p.m., Sept. 10 | vs. Marmion; 7:30 p.m., Sept. 10 | at Fenwick; 7:30 p.m., Sept. 10 | vs. St. Ignatius; 7:30 p.m., Sept. 10 |
| Week 4 | vs. Providence; 7:30 p.m., Sept. 17 | vs. St. Laurence; 7:30 p.m., Sept. 17 | at Joliet Catholic; 7:30 p.m., Sept. 17 | at Montini; 7:30 p.m., Sept. 17 |
| Week 5 | vs. Crete-Monee; 7:30 p.m., Sept. 24 | vs. Leo; 7:30 p.m., Sept. 24 | vs. Marian Central; 7:30 p.m., Sept. 24 | vs. DePaul; 7:30 p.m., Sept. 24 |
| Week 6 | vs. St. Laurence; 7:30 p.m., Oct. 1 | at Providence; 7:30 p.m., Oct. 1 | vs. Montini; 7:30 p.m., Oct. 1 | at Joliet Catholic; 7:30 p.m., Oct. 1 |
| Week 7 | at Brother Rice; 6 p.m., Oct. 8 | at Marist; 6 p.m., Oct. 8 | at Loyola; 1:30 p.m., Oct. 9 | at Mt. Carmel; 7:30 p.m., Oct. 8 |
| Week 8 | at Benet; 7 p.m., Oct. 15 | at Nazareth; 7 p.m., Oct. 15 | at St. Rita; 7:30 p.m., Oct. 15 | at Niles Notre Dame; 7:30 p.m., Oct. 15 |
| Week 9 | at Montini; 7 p.m., Oct. 22 | vs. Joliet Catholic; 7 p.m., Oct. 22 | vs. St. Laurence; 7:30 p.m., Oct. 22 | at Providence; 7:30 p.m., Oct. 22 |
FOUR CAN’T MISS MATCHUPS
Week 1 – IC Catholic at Montini: IC Catholic has never been afraid of a challenge. This is an intriguing nonconference matchup to start the season.
Week 4 – Providence at Joliet Catholic: These two will meet on the football field for the first time since 2015.
Week 5 – Crete-Monee at Joliet Catholic: The Hilltoppers will take on a Crete-Monee program that has been among the top Class 6A programs in the state in recent years.
Week 9 – Joliet Catholic at Montini: The division title could be on the line, as well as playoff positioning.
STEVE SOUCIE’S PREDICTED FINISH
| Team | Record |
|---|---|
| Joliet Catholic | 8-1 |
| Montini | 5-4 |
| St. Laurence | 5-4 |
| Providence | 2-7 |