Monday, September 7, 2009

My Illinois high school game of the week...

...will feature the Tribune's No. 11 Providence at Loyola Academy on Saturday. (The Sun-Times, which is rapidly gaining credibility with this writer, ranks the Celtics No. 14 and the Ramblers No. 17.) Providence (1-1) is coming off a big victory over Joliet Catholic, 21-7, after stumbling in their opener to perennial power Lincoln-Way East. Loyola (2-0) has yet to be tested, and despite home-field advantage, will probably fall to the visitors from the far South suburb of New Lenox. (I'll be On the Road this weekend and won't be available for updates on Twitter.)

In other games, No. 1 Maine South will be traveling to Highland Park to square off against the best 0-2 team in the state. The Giants lost to Stevenson and Warren but should not be taken lightly. The Hawks are on a roll, however, and are expected to prevail. Glenbrook South (1-1)should return to their winning ways this Friday at Deerfield (2-0) in what will look like Michigan-Ohio State to the near-sighted. No. 8 Mt. Carmel (No. 2 in the Sun-Times) will have no trouble with Fenwick (1-1) at Toyota Park on Friday night. Incidentally, the park is only a 5-minute cab ride from Midway Airport and therefore an easy destination for out-of-towners. You could fly in, grab a hot dog or a slice of pizza for dinner at the game, and fly home the same night (in-out, nobody gets hurt). Finally, No. 2 St. Rita (No. 4 in the Sun-Times) will host Brother Rice (1-1) and make the Crusaders the best losing team in Illinois.

As long as I'm making predictions, I have to admit it wouldn't be too difficult to envision a Mt. Carmel-Maine South championship.

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