The Chicago Catholic League...

...has always had the reputation of playing hard-nosed, smashmouth football. It's practically an axiom among its adherents that Catholic League kids are "tougher" and "hit harder" than their "soft, spoiled" public school counterparts. (I actually had an old guy try to tell me this at a Loyola game a few years ago.) I think this accepted "wisdom" dates back to a time when the Catholic League was thought to be made up largely of "city kids" while the public schools were populated by rich, suburban brats in convertibles.

The quintessential Catholic Leaguer for me would have to be Edward "Moose" Krause, below, who graduated from De La Salle (the high school of the Daleys) and went on to play football and basketball at Notre Dame. The son of Lithuanian immigrants, Krause grew up in the Back o' the Yards neighborhood, which derived its name from the nearby Union Stock Yard, where cattle and hogs were slaughtered.

At any rate, it's a myth. Or at least it is today. (And if you don't believe me, ask Mt. Carmel or St. Rita about their championship games last year against Maine South and Wheaton Warrenville South, respectively.)

But don't tell that to anyone who will be at the Catholic Blue showdown Saturday between Mt. Carmel and Loyola.

While the Caravan still runs an offense that would make Woody Hayes smile ("three yards and a cloud of dust"), Loyola's relies more on finesse. Quarterback Malcolm Weaver can pass as well as run, and has a choice of several talented receivers: Marquese Martin-Hayes, Charlie Dowdle, Conner Person and Dylan Brennan. And when he isn't throwing, Weaver can hand the ball off to running back William Palivos.

Rambler Coach John Holecek, a former NFL linebacker and defensive wizard, has built an impressive offense at the Jesuit school along the Edens. In fact, this could very well be his best team in the six years he's been coaching at Loyola.

Let's have a look at the two teams' schedules (home team in CAPS):

Loyola 40, EVANSTON 0
LOYOLA 41, Montini 24
LOYOLA 48, Lake Forest Academy 13
Loyola 32, PROVIDENCE 6
LOYOLA 33, Gordon Tech 7

Mt. Carmel 23, Simeon 14, Soldier Field
MT. CARMEL 31, Morgan Park 0
MT. CARMEL 40, De La Salle 7
Mt. Carmel 62, ST. JOSEPH 8
MT. CARMEL 35, Brother Rice 24

I'd say Loyola's most impressive victory was at Providence; Carmel's was last week against Rice.

Despite having the winningest coach in Illinois history, Frank Lenti, the South Siders have to be considered the underdog in this contest. Not only are they on the road, but their offense is just not as multi-dimensional as Loyola's. Quarterback Don Butkus (grandnephew of Bears legend Mike Butkus) isn't in the same league as Weaver, and running back Draco Smith hasn't lived up to his potential. Looks like Carmel's hopes all ride on Central Michigan-bound running back Brandon Greer. If Loyola can just contain him, then Game Over.

BOWG prediction: Loyola 28, Mt. Carmel 14.