Week 8, East Suburban Catholic: Benet braces for Joliet Catholic
Joliet Catholic (7-0, 5-0) at Benet (5-2, 3-2)
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday at Benedictine University in Lisle.
Last week: Joliet Catholic 38, Nazareth 35; Benet 28, Carmel 14.
Last year: Joliet Catholic 27, Benet 0.
Outlook: With last week's win over Carmel, the Redwings appear safely in the playoffs for the fourth straight year. That takes the pressure off this showdown against the top-ranked team in Class 5A, a Joliet Catholic team that's shut out Benet the last two seasons. Slowing the Hilltoppers means slowing their vaunted ground game led by running backs Ke'Von and Michael Johnson behind a massive offensive line. Redwings linebackers Charlie Weidenbach and Jeff Marek along with safety Alec McEachern power Benet's run defense. Offensively, McEachern and Weidenbach have become invaluable with their two-way play in the backfield. Last week McEachern rushed for 170 yards as dinged-up running back Marty Dosen saw limited action. With talented Hilltoppers lineman Ken Aguirre anchoring their defense, look for Redwings quarterback Jack Sznajder to try and keep the chains moving with his deep and talented corps of receivers.
Next week: Marist at Joliet Catholic; Benet at Marian Catholic.
Carmel Corsairs (3-4, 3-2) at Marian Central Hurricanes (5-2, 3-2)When: 7:30 p.m., today
Last week: Carmel lost to Benet, 28-14; Marian Central def. St. Viator, 33-13.
Skinny: Carmel still has hope for a playoff spot, provided it wins out and has enough playoff points (based on opponent wins). The Corsairs already have 40 points, among the most in the rugged East Suburban Catholic Conference. Carmel's loss last week to Benet broke the momentum of a three-game winning streak. Carmel running back Rondel Jamison continues to roll up the 100-yard rushing games. He had 103 yards and a touchdown on 21 carries last week…Marian Central's win last week stopped a two-game losing streak. The Hurricanes are hoping to clinch an automatic playoff berth with a win.
*St. Patrick (0-5, 2-5) vs. St. Viator (1-6, 0-5)Where: At Forest View
When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Last year: St. Viator 42, St. Patrick 14
Outlook: It has been a tough go for the Lions this season, especially in the very competitive ESCC. But St. Viator hopes to turn it around against a St. Pat team that hasn't defeated the Lions since 2011. St. Viator, which has allowed nearly 30 points per game, has revamped its defense and hopes to shot down the Shamrocks' vaunted running game. St. Viator quarterback Tommy Majerus, who is a junior, is hoping to turn things around as well while tight end Cole Kmet has 23 receptions to lead the team.