Area Catholic School Football Preview: Marist, Brother Rice, St. Rita, Mt. Carmel, St. Laurence

Summer preparations are coming to a close for area Catholic high school football teams and fans in Beverly, Mount Greenwood and surrounding neighborhoods and suburbs are ready to root on their alma mater.

Let’s take a look at what’s ahead for some of your favorite prep football team.

Brother Rice Crusaders, Head Coach: Brian Badke

Last year: 10-2 overall, advanced to IHSA Class 8A Quarterfinals (lost to Palatine).

Games to watch: Sun., Aug. 28 at Marist (at Soldier Field); Fri. Sept. 30 vs. Mt. Carmel (Tom Mitchell Field Dedication); Fri. Oct. 14 at St. Rita; Fri. Oct. 21 vs. Loyola Academy.

Key returning players: Ricky Smalling, WR/DB (committed to Illinois); John Farano OT; Larry Washington DT; Jack Keane DB; Brian Olsen SS/OLB; Iben King LB.

Coach’s Outlook: “We have very high expectations. We are looking forward to the opportunity to start off on a great note playing Marist on Sunday at Soldier Field.”

On Twitter: @BrotherRiceFB

Marist Redhawks, Head Coach: Pat Dunne

Last year: 9-5 overall (4-3 in the East Suburban Catholic Conference) and state runner-up in IHSA Class 8A.

Games to watch: Sun. Aug. 28 vs. Brother Rice (at Soldier Field); Sept. 23 vs. Marian Catholic; Oct. 21 at Joliet Catholic.

Key returning players: Rob Topps ‘17-DB (Kentucky), Elijah Teague ’18-OT/DT (Undecided), Micah Awodiran ‘17-LB/RB (Yale), Billy Kudak ‘17-OL (Kansas).

Coach’s Outlook/Goals: “Staying focused on each week’s game and working each day to improve.”

On Twitter: @RedHawkFB

Mount Carmel Caravan, Head Coach: Frank Lenti

Last year: 10-3 overall, won Prep Bowl.

Games to Watch: Sun. Aug. 28 vs. Taft (Opener at Soldier Field); Fri. Sept. 9 vs. Loyola Academy; Fri. Sept. 23 vs. St. Rita; Fri. Oct. 30 at Brother Rice; Fri. Oct. 21 at Providence.

Key returning players: Tucker Gill (OL), Verdis Brown (OL), Alek Thomas (OL), Mike Kennedy (RB), Phazione McCurge (DB), Macauley Kilbane (DB).

Coach’s Outlook: “Our goal is to win the first game, then after that trying to win the Catholic League Blue and see how deep we can go in the state playoffs. We’ve been picked pretty high, but we still have a lot of parts to put together, only return two starters and defense and don’t know who our quarterback is going to be. I like our chemistry. We seem to fit well together and that’s always important.”

On Twitter: @CaravanFootball

St. Laurence Vikings, Head Coach: Harold Blackmon

Last year: 10-3 overall, reached the IHSA Class 5A State Semifinals.

Games to Watch: Fri. Sept. 16 at St. Rita; Fri. Oct. 21 vs. St. Ignatius

Key returning players: Fayezon Smart (RB), Doug Kosch (OL), Andrew Aranda (OL), Brett Ladewig (OL), Tim Ladewig (OL), Alec Freeman (WR), David Lox (WR), Levy Hamer (WR), Chris Negrete (LB), Kevin Williams (LB), Jimmy Burnette (S), Willie Spears (CB).

Coach’s Outlook: “Our goal is to play hard every game, win our conference and win state.”

On Twitter: @STL_Athletics

St. Rita Mustangs, Head Coach: Todd Kuska

Last year: 5-7 overall, 0-4 in conference. Lost to Mount Carmel in Prep Bowl semifinals.

Games to watch: Sun, Aug. 28 vs. St. Patrick (at Soldier Field); Fri. Sept. 16 vs. St. Laurence (Homecoming); Fri., Sept. 23 at Mt. Carmel; Friday, Oct. 14 vs. Brother Rice (Senior Night).

Key returning players: Tim Zaleski (TE-WR), Shaun Rule (RB), Anthony Jones (WR), Mark Modesir (LB).

Coach’s Outlook: “We have experience at all the skill positions on offense, as well as two returning offensive linemen. We have big play potential on offense. We expect to compete for the conference title and potentially a state title if we develop some continuity on offense. On defense we welcome back at least one player at all levels of the defense. Our second leading tackler (Liam Kelly) returns at safety as well as one of our ILB (Sean Coghlan) and OLD (Mark Modesir). We also return some other defensive players who played roles on the defense last season. This year’s senior class has dedicated themselves in the weight room and have set goals to return St. Rita to the state playoffs and make a run at the title.”

On Twitter: @StRitaFootball