Pulaski Road Super Bowl Takes Stage Sunday at Soldier Field

CHICAGO, IL - It’s only a two mile trek between the schools, but both Marist and Brother Rice football teams will be traveling a lot further this year to bring back the Pulaski Road rivalry.

After a one-year hiatus, the football rivalry between the RedHawks and Crusaders returns in 2016. And at Soldier Field, a venue large enough to hold decades of tensions between alumni of both Catholic schools on the Southwest Side of the city.

“It’s a little crazy that we both have to go all the way to Soldier Field to play a school that’s less than two miles from us,” said Brian Badke, head coach at Brother Rice.

The Marist-Brother Rice rivalry dates back more than 50 years. For decades, teammates on Catholic elementary school teams like St. Catherine, St. Cajetan, St. Christina and St. Linus would find themselves on the opposing sides come high school.

“A lot of these kids know each other from playing in grade school, and the two schools have always competed for the same kids in the same area,” said Badke, a 1992 Crusader alum.

Badke’s counterpart - 1998 Marist graduate and current RedHawks head coach Pat Dunne - calls the atmosphere at any RedHawk-Crusader athletic contest “electric.”

“The Marist-Rice rivalry is exciting for students, alumni and the community no matter what sport is being played. It’s a great experience for the kids,” said Dunne.

Dunne added that while playing at Soldier Field is an honor for the Marist program, “we still focus on it as one game in a long season.”

Because it might not be the only time the two teams play this year.

Both are coming off successful 2015 campaigns. Marist reached the IHSA Class 8A title game and Brother Rice was in the quarterfinals, just two wins away from facing off with their Pulaski Road rivals in what would have been a legendary state title game match-up.

They both bring back several starters from 2015, so that dream match-up occurring over Thanksgiving weekend this year isn’t completely out of the realm of reason.

According to Dunne, Marist touts three seniors who have committed to NCAA Division I schools, Rob Topps (DB, Kentucky), Micah Awodiran (LB/RB, Yale) and Billy Kudak (OL, Kansas).

The Crusaders counter with wide receiver/defensive back Ricky Smalling, the Crusaders’ all-time receptions record holder who has committed to the University of Illinois.

Also on Patch: Area Catholic High School Football Preview: What’s in Store for Marist, Brother Rice, Mount Carmel, Saint Rita and Saint Laurence This Year

Badke says there isn’t any added pressure by holding this year’s rivalry game at an NFL stadium, “just more excitement.”

“It will be a great atmosphere, and there’s big excitement for these kids to have an opportunity to play at a venue like that,” he said.

While just two miles apart and both Catholic schools, there are differences between Marist and Brother Rice.
Brother Rice is administered under the Congregation of Christian Brothers. Marist is one of a handful of schools nationwide affiliated with the Marist Brothers.

Brother Rice is an all-male institution located near 99th and Pulaski and all-female high school Mother McAuley Liberal Arts High School.

Marist, located on 115th Street just west of Pulaski, was an all-male school for decades until becoming a co-educational institution in 2002.

“The schools have a lot of differences, but they are both great schools,” said Badke, who noted the football rivalry was something “we needed to get back on the schedule” after not playing each other in 2015.

What’s on the line for both teams on Sunday?

Quite a bit. The last time these squads faced each other was in 2014, a game the Crusaders won to tie the all-time series at 17 wins apiece. Sunday’s winner will regain the edge in the all-time series and hold forever bragging rights as the winner of the game held at the iconic Chicago Bears home field.

But as both coaches will tell you, the most important thing on the line Sunday is 1-0.

If you go

The Marist-Brother Rice game is one of three Chicago prep football games scheduled at Soldier Field on Sunday, Aug. 28. Saint Rita will play Saint Patrick and Mount Carmel will face off with Taft.

Game time for the Pulaski Road rivalry is 6 p.m.

Tickets can be purchased at Brother Rice High School.

Black Oak Restaurant and Reilly's Daughter in Oak Lawn will both provide transportation.

Photos: Dan Lambert / For Patch.com in 2013.