Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Trivia question: Which team...

...scored the most points on undefeated Loyola Academy this year? Mount Carmel? St. Rita? Glenbard North? No, no, and no.

Answer: Montini.

The Broncos scored 24 points against the Ramblers in Week 2 -- without quarterback John Rhode, above. Since recovering from a broken thumb, the Marian Catholic transfer has thrown 35 touchdowns and led Montini to eight consecutive victories.

Montini is coached by Chris Andriano and finished second in the Suburban Christian Blue conference behind Marian Central. Rhode's favorite receivers are Anthony Taylor and Nebraska-bound Jordan Westerkamp (1342 yards receiving and 26 touchdowns). His running backs are Joe Borsellino (18 touchdowns) and Dimitri Taylor (11). The kicker is Andrew Harte, who booted a 41-yard field goal against Marian Central.

The Lombard squad defeated seven winning teams en route to the 5A final: Palatine, Aurora Christian (who is in the 3A final), St. Francis, Woodstock North, Sterling, Marian Central and Kaneland, by a combined score of 264-104.

Besides Loyola, the Broncos lost to Marian Central by one point, 21-20, in Week 4.

Here's a look at Montini's schedule, with the last game first and home team in CAPS:

Montini 35, KANELAND 31
MONTINI 52, Marian Central 7
MONTINI 14, Sterling 3
MONTINI 49, Woodstock North 14
MONTINI 54, Wheaton Academy 6
Montini 75, WALTHER LUTHERAN 0
Montini 59, ST. EDWARD 14
MONTINI 33, St. Francis 14
MONTINI 55, Aurora Christian 14
MARIAN CENTRAL 21, Montini 20
MONTINI 13, Marmion 6
LOYOLA 41, Montini 24
MONTINI 26, Palatine 21

Montini's 5A opponent Saturday is Joliet Catholic Academy, which beat six winning teams this year: Carmel, Richwoods (the Knights are in the 6A final), Lincoln-Way West, Morris, Washington and Sacred Heart-Griffin, by a combined score of 289-100. In the playoffs, they've outscored their opponents by an astounding 194-35, the last two with a running clock. Wow!

The Hilltoppers lost narrowly to Nazareth, 24-21, and Marist, 56-51.

JCA is coached by Dan Sharp and finished third in the East Suburban Catholic conference, behind Nazareth and Marist. Running back Ty Isaac, above, who broke the school record for most touchdowns in a season this year (45), shares rushing duties with Malin Jones (28 touchdowns). On the rare occasions when one of them is not carrying the ball, quarterback Craig Slowik has been known to pass to either Zach Rezin or Isaac Grashoff. (These guys are big on the name Isaac, aren't they?)

Here's a more detailed look at JCA's schedule:

JOLIET CATHOLIC 49, Sacred Heart-Griffin 7
JOLIET CATHOLIC 56, Washington 7
JOLIET CATHOLIC 41, Morris 7
JOLIET CATHOLIC 48, Lincoln-Way West 14
MARIST 56, Joliet Catholic 51
Joliet Catholic 56, ST. PATRICK 7
JOLIET CATHOLIC 64, Marian Catholic 13
Nazareth 24, JOLIET CATHOLIC 21
Joliet Catholic 35, BENET 0
JOLIET CATHOLIC 63, St. Viator 3
JOLIET CATHOLIC 63, Richwoods 34
Joliet Catholic 42, NOTRE DAME 0
JOLIET CATHOLIC 32, Carmel 31

Both teams are obviously first-rate, but JCA is on such a roll that I can't see them losing. Either way, look for a high-scoring game.

BOWG prediction: Joliet Catholic 41, Montini 38.

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