Pirates brace for playoff excitement

Palatine's first playoff game in 10 years at Chic Anderson Stadium is hardly ordinary.

But the Pirates are trying to make sure Friday's Class 8A second-round visit by 10-time state champion Mt. Carmel doesn't seem extraordinary.

"There's a lot of buzz (around school) and it will be a lot of fun," said Palatine senior offensive lineman Casey McCabe. "At the same time, a big goal for our team is to not focus so much on the buzz.

"You have to give them credit because they're 10-0 but we want to look at it as another game. We don't want to get all hyped up."

Palatine coach Tyler Donnelly used his team's last loss -- 24-7 in Week 6 at Fremd -- as a barometer for the excitement surrounding the Caravan's visit.

"I told them, 'Just remember the Fremd backdrop and how we handled it,' " Donnelly said of a 21-0 deficit after 10 minutes to its crosstown rival.

While legendary coach Frank Lenti is bringing up a talented group led by Notre Dame-bound linebacker Steven Filer, the Caravan also won't have alums such as Donovan McNabb or Simeon Rice in uniform Friday night.

"I told them, 'These kids haven't won 10 state championships and they're 16- and 17-year-old boys just like you,' " Donnelly said, "'They're in the same position -- the top 16 left in state and so are you.

"That's where the senior leadership comes in so we don't come out in awe, because that's exactly what they want you to do."