Class 8A playoffs, Mt. Carmel at Palatine and Loyola at Fremd
CLASS 8A
No. 1 Mt. Carmel (10-0) at No. 9 Palatine (7-3)
When: 7 p.m. today at Chic Anderson Stadium
Last week: Mt. Carmel d. No. 16 Leyden 48-7; Palatine d. No. 8 Lane Tech 44-0
Playoff history: Mt. Carmel has an 83-13 playoff record with 10 state titles and two of its four second-place finishes the last two years. Palatine has returned to the postseason for the first time since 1997, which was also its fourth quarterfinal trip.
Outlook: Discipline requires discipline -- and that's the challenge for Palatine's defense led by DE Monroe Brooks, LBs Ryan Cortez and Ryan Hourigan and DB-LB Brett Chidester against Mt. Carmel's vaunted option attack. "You've got to be (disciplined) because you see on film where someone stuffs them five times and the sixth one is a 60-yard touchdown run," said Palatine coach Tyler Donnelly. "That's the problem they present to every team. You have to play assignment football." Junior QB Jordan Lynch is regarded as one of the best the program has had at running the offense but the Palatine secondary of Jack Hansen, Kurt Handzel, Jamie LaCapra and crew has to be ready for Lynch to pass (852 yards, 14 TDs, 1 INT). Edwin Williams (841 yards, 11 TDs) and Tim Brown (786 yards, 8 TDs) lead the ground game. "They throw, they pitch, they've got the whole thing going," said Donnelly, whose team has faced option attacks from Conant, Barrington and Wheeling. "We've got our work cut out for us." But if the Pirates continue to get the offensive work they have in their 4-game winning streak (average of 476 yards total offense) they could keep the ball away from the Caravan. Palatine's offensive line has been getting it done for backs Dan Sutton (922 yards, 11 TDs), Chris Norman (636 yards, 5 TDs) and Tom Eanes (394 yards, 4 TDs) and the passing game is dangerous with QB Matt Rossi (1,006 yards, 12 TDs, 8 INTs) and top targets Mookie Williams (25 catches, 406 yards, 7 TDs) and Nick Busch (35-318). "We have to control the ball and control the clock," Donnelly said. "We have to take care of the football and minimize penalties." The Caravan have two big-time studs on defense in Illinois-bound DE Glenn Foster (6-4, 225) and Notre Dame-bound LB Steve Filer (6-4, 220). For the Pirates, they'll be in a familiar role. "We've been the underdog in close to every game this year so it's nothing new for us," Donnelly said. "We don't want the kids to get caught up in all the hype with them."
Advancement: If Palatine wins it would host No. 4 Glenbrook South or visit No. 5 Maine South from Saturday's 7 p.m. game. If Mt. Carmel wins it would host the winner.
No. 7 Loyola (8-2) at No. 3 Fremd (10-0)
When: 6:30 p.m. Saturday at Hale Hildebrandt Field
Last week: Loyola d. No. 10 Warren 23-3; Fremd d. No. 15 Stevenson 21-19
Playoff history: Loyola is making its fifth straight trip and 18th overall and is trying to get to the quarterfinals for the first time since it won the 6A title in 1993. Fremd is making its 13th straight trip and looking for its second straight quarterfinal trip and third overall (1996).
Outlook: This is another testament to how difficult the playoff road is for Fremd -- facing a team whose only losses were in double overtime to Mt. Carmel and by a field goal to Providence. "They're about as solid as you can get," said Fremd coach Mike Donatucci. "This is by far the best overall team we've seen." The Ramblers can throw it with 6-4 QB Peter Badovinac (1,461 yards, 17 TDs, 4 INTs) to a deep crew of receivers led by Brian Lindsay (31 catches, 356 yards, 6 TDs) or run it with versatile Mark Harvey (814 rushing yards, 9 TDs; 17 catches, 291 yards, 5 TDs) behind Northwestern-bound tackle Brian Mulroe (6-4, 255). That's the test for the Vikings' stingy defense led by DE Ben Perna, DT John LaPointe, LBs Nick Hillard and Kevin Krieter and DBs Bryan Hipchen and MikeTauchman. "Their quarterback gets it done," Donatucci said. "He's definitely got a grasp of what they're trying to do defensively." But the Vikings are no slouches offensively with QB Mark Tolzien (1,591 yards, 16 TDs, 8 INTs) and receivers Michael Koeneman (46 catches, 631 yards, 8 TDs), Andrew Corso (28-375, 2 TDs) and Tauchman (25-269, 4 TDs) and the power running of Mike Gyetvay (1,011 yards, 12 TDs) behind the big line led by Kevin Fallon and crew. "They're quite a challenge offensively," said Loyola coach John Holecek. "St. Rita's size and athletic ability kind of compares to them, but this quarterback is a more accurate thrower. We've seen a little bit like this here and there, but not a total, well-rounded offense like Fremd." But the Ramblers' 50 defense has been tough and allowed only 75 yards last week as LB Matt Magnani had 13 tackles with 5 for losses and sophomore Chancellor Carter had 3 stops for losses, a sack, a fumble recovery and an interception. One encouraging sign for the Vikings is Perna, who is battling shoulder pain, practiced more Tuesday than he has in three weeks. One thing the Vikings can't afford again is a second half similar to last week where their first four possessions were two three-and-outs, a four-and-out and an interception. "I'm not crying poor by any means," Donatucci said of Loyola. "But we have to play better than we did last Friday."
Advancement: If Fremd wins, it would be on the road against the winner of today's 7 p.m. game with No. 14 Glenbard North and No. 6 York. If Loyola wins it would host Glenbard North or travel to York.