Driscoll-Montini game marks end of a storied rivalry
For decades it's been considered one of the state's best high school sports rivalries.
Tonight, it ends.
Driscoll and Montini meet athletically for the last time when the baseball teams play at 7 p.m. today at Benedictine University in Lisle.
No Suburban Catholic Conference championship hangs in the balance and there are no playoff ramifications. Regardless, because of the schools involved, this evening figures to be emotional for both sides.
"It's been 40-some years of playing Montini, and it's strange that it's going to come to an end," said Driscoll baseball coach Sean Bieterman. "It's hard, but at the same time it's the reality of the situation."
The reality is that Driscoll will be closing its doors by the end of the month following a decision by the Christian Brothers of the Midwest and the Joliet Diocese to shut down the 43-year-old school because of sagging enrollment and financial struggles.
Now, as the end draws near, each "last time" carries additional meaning for the Addison school. The final Driscoll-Montini game is no exception.
"It's sad," said Montini senior Tom DiCristina, a veteran of many football and baseball games against Driscoll. "Even though the rivalry's really big, we still love them. We're the exact same school, we're Lasallian high schools. We love playing these games, whether it's football or basketball or whatever."
The schools not only coexisted during the past four decades, they were competitive companions.
Comparisons were constant to the point where it was difficult to mention one without noting where the other stood in relation. And no matter the sport, the season or the records, nothing loomed larger than the head-to-head matchups between the two.
The rivalry's legend grew mostly from their fiery football games through the years. The Highlanders won eight state titles and Montini chipped in another. Neither school has missed the playoffs since 1998.
While they've played only twice in the postseason, epic matchups became traditional in the regular season, where they combined for a 110-16 conference record since 2000. Nine of those losses came to each other, and during that span they won or shared all but one SCC title.
The girls basketball rivalry also heated up this year. Driscoll handed Montini its first SCC loss in two years, only to see the Broncos avenge that defeat in the second meeting. And while the Highlanders claimed the Class 2A state title, Montini advanced to the Class 3A supersectional.
Tonight, however, the rivalry appropriately ends with a baseball game.
"It's been exciting through every sport I've played in," said Driscoll senior Steve Schwabe, who competed against Montini in football, basketball and baseball. "There's always something extra there, and for that to be missing from this conference is just going to be real strange. But what are we going to do? This is going to be the last one, and we're going to have to make it count."
Like in football, the baseball programs at Driscoll and Montini have enjoyed mass success in the SCC and the playoffs. The Highlanders won three state titles and three additional state trophies. The Broncos boast two trophies.
While those accomplishments certainly matter, tonight they fade into the background as the rivalry's significance takes center stage.
It hasn't always been pretty but for all the harsh words, near-fistfights and other extracurriculars, Driscoll and Montini respected each other.
More than that, though, the athletic programs needed each other. Like the Cubs need the Cardinals and North Carolina needs Duke, Driscoll needed Montini and vice versa.
Replacing that pitched feeling won't be easy.
It may even be impossible.
"You always got up for Driscoll, and I know they always got up for us," said Montini baseball coach Bill Leeberg. "Absolutely, I'm going to miss them."
Tonight isn't just a game, it's the end of an era.
After four decades of butting heads, the Driscoll-Montini rivalry sadly steps to the plate.
One last time.
"That's what I'm going to miss the most, the energy and the atmosphere of playing Montini," Schwabe said. "It's a shame how it's going to end."
kschmit@dailyherald.com