Prairie Ridge High School, above, is located in Crystal Lake, the largest city in McHenry County. It was founded in 1997 and enrolls about 1700 students. The football team is 10-1 and competes in the Fox Valley Conference with such other gridiron powers as Cary-Grove, Crystal Lake South and Crystal Lake Central.
The Wolves, as I wrote after the Jacobs game, are a well-oiled machine. Not only have they defeated Glenbard South (7-4) twice, Marmion (5-5), Jacobs (7-3), Crystal Lake South (10-1) and Crystal Lake Central (6-4), PR has outscored its opponents an astounding 485-94, including three shutouts. In two more games, the Wolves allowed only two points. Did they take those safeties on purpose? Should they have had five shutouts?
Oh, and that one pesky loss was to Cary-Grove (8-3), 22-21, on the road. (The Trojans' season ended last week at the hands of -- wait for it! -- Nazareth, 24-0.)
The Wolves run an option offense, led by quarterback Nick Nissen. When he's not handing the ball off to running backs Connor Greenwald, Jordan Getzelman or Steve Bashor, Nissen can pass to tight ends Nick Margiotta and Kody Hansen or wide receiver Sean Valentine.
The defense, of course, is first rate.
Here's the Wolves schedule, last game first (home team in CAPS):
P RIDGE 55, Glenbard South 7
P RIDGE 49, Marmion 0
Cary-Grove 22, P RIDGE 21
P RIDGE 55, McHenry 19
P Ridge 35, JACOBS 14
P Ridge 41, CRYSTAL LAKE SOUTH 16
P RIDGE 29, Crystal Lake Central 0
P RIDGE 55, Dundee-Crown 0
P Ridge 43, HUNTLEY 2
P RIDGE 47, Mundelein 2
P Ridge 55, GLENBARD SOUTH 12
Nazareth Academy, for its part, has been around since 1900. (Full disclosure: my sister went there for her freshman year in 1961-62.) The LaGrange Park school has only admitted boys, however, since 1977. Wikipedia lists Nazareth's enrollment at only 807 -- can that possibly be right? Its principal is Deborah Tracy (no relation).
The Roadrunners, who compete in the East Suburban Catholic Conference, are also 10-1, after finishing the last two seasons 3-6 and 4-5. Nazareth has beaten some very impressive teams this year, including Cary-Grove (8-3) last week, Deerfield (6-4), Joliet Catholic (9-2) and Marist (7-3). Their only loss was in Week 2 at Carmel (7-4).
How did the Roadrunners develop into such a contender all of a sudden?, you might be wondering. (At least I was.) It turns out they are coached by Tim Racki, who won four state championships at Driscoll. Ah-hah! Racki has built a high-octane offense around quarterback Sam Poulos, running backs Josh Moore and Rudy Romagnano (just back from an injury), and receivers Aeneas White and Sean Maloney. Matt Ramsey is the kicker.
The defense is anchored by linebacker Thomas Gray and defensive backs Kalium Ewing and Kevin Curtin.
Here's the Roadrunners schedule:
NAZARETH 24, Cary-Grove 0
NAZARETH 35, Deerfield 6
NAZARETH 51, St. Viator 14
Nazareth 44, RIVERSIDE-BROOKFIELD 6
NAZARETH 42, Notre Dame 13
Nazareth 24, JOLIET CATHOLIC 21
Nazareth 33, MARIST 20
NAZARETH 35 St. Patrick 32
Nazareth 35, MARIAN CATHOLIC 19
CARMEL 27, Nazareth 3
NAZARETH 17, Benet 0
So who wins this contest? I'd hate to bet against the Roadrunners and coach Racki, but I've been touting the Wolves all season. I just think it's their year (and they're at home).
BOWG prediction: Prairie Ridge 31, Nazareth 28.
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