Pat Disabato touts Brother Rice...

...in the Sun-Times this morning. I have to admit I've overlooked the Crusaders. From the article:

I can’t recall a team that finished 3-6 the previous season facing higher expectations than Brother Rice will be in 2014.

Yes, the Crusaders return a bevy of starters, led by running back Marcus Jones, quarterback Alex Alarcon (above) and lineman Patrick Hosty. Jones, a Northern Illinois recruit, is a difference-maker. Alarcon racked up close to 2,300 all-purpose yards last season. The kid is a playmaker. The junior and sophomore classes achieved considerable success at the lower levels.

I can relate to the optimism. However, now it’s time to strap on the big boy pants. If Rice can avoid the injury bug and the juniors produce at a high level, specifically on both sides of the line, it shall live up to expectations.

Interesting. Let's have a look at Brother Rice's schedule, shall we? (Opposing teams' 2013 records in parentheses.)

August 30 @ Brother Rice (MI), (14-0)

Sept. 5 Marist (9-4)

Sept. 12 Loyola (12-2)

Sept. 19 @ St. Francis (5-5)

Sept. 26 St. Laurence (4-5)

Oct. 3 @ Mount Carmel (13-1)

Oct. 10 @ Brebeuf (IN), (11-4)

Oct. 17 @ Providence (7-5)

Oct. 26 St. Rita (12-2)

Whoa!

Now let's take each game one at a time. Brother Rice (MI) finished No. 1 in the state of Michigan last year. Unless they graduated everybody, that's going to be a tough road game for the Crusaders. Marist, Brother Rice's archrival, lost to eventual 8A champion Naperville Central in the semifinals last year. Flynn Nagel and Nic Weishar are both gone, though, and Rice will have home field advantage. So are they 1-1 at this point? 

Loyola also lost to Naperville Central, in the finals, and is another home game for the Crusaders. But the Ramblers always seem to reload. St. Francis graduated star running back James Butler and St. Laurence hasn't had a winning season since 2010. Let's say Rice is 3-2 now.

Next is Mount Carmel, which is to say Mount Carmel. Crusaders are 3-3. 

Brebeuf (IN), if I'm reading this right, lost in the sixth round of the playoffs last year and finished No. 23 in the state. Finally, Providence and St. Rita are always tough. I'll give Rice the benefit of the doubt and say they go 2-1 in these last three games. That puts their record at the end of the regular season at (a generous) 5-4 and clearly playoff-eligible due to their brutal schedule. (Really, no one in the Catholic League Blue should feel the need to schedule a tough non-conference opponent.) 

In the second season, everyone begins 0-0. So if Mr. Disabato is right and the Crusaders can avoid injury they could be well-positioned for the postseason. I'll keep my eye on them.

I can’t recall a team that finished 3-6 the previous season facing higher expectations than Brother Rice will be in 2014.
Yes, the Crusaders return a bevy of starters, led by running back Marcus Jones, quarterback Alex Alarcon and lineman Patrick Hosty. Jones, a Northern Illinois recruit, is a difference-maker. Alarcon racked up close to 2,300 all-purpose yards last season. The kid is a playmaker. The junior and sophomore classes achieved considerable success at the lower levels.
I can relate to the optimism. However, now it’s time to strap on the big boy pants. If Rice can avoid the injury bug and the juniors produce at a high level, specifically on both sides of the line, it shall live up to expectations.
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