St. Ignatius’ big win over Mount Carmel shakes everything up

Good morning,

This week’s Four Downs was devoted to St. Ignatius’ upset of Mount Carmel. That means a couple of important updates haven’t been addressed. The Caravan wasn’t the only CCL/ESCC Blue team that was challenged.

The Ramblers squeaked by Fenwick 27-24 on Friday thanks to a 42-yard field goal by sophomore Michael Baker as time expired.

Loyola coach John Holecek says he expects Marco Maldonado to miss the rest of the regular season with a broken collarbone. He may return in time for the playoffs. Mike Regan filled in well against the Friars with 32 carries for 172 yards and a touchdown. 

That’s just another example of how interesting and fun this football season has been so far. Even talented powerhouse programs like Loyola and Mount Carmel are being tested every week. 

The CCL/ESCC Blue has certainly earned a great deal of respect when it comes to the rankings. Loyola, Mount Carmel, Brother Rice and Marist obviously comprise the best overall high school football conference in the state.

Over the years we’ve seen how the CCL/ESCC Blue teams don’t drop much or at all when they lose to each another. That wasn’t the case in Week 5. Undefeated St. Ignatius knocked off Mount Carmel 27-0. That’s a lopsided win that sent reverberations through the rankings. Loyola also struggled to beat Fenwick.

St. Ignatius is obviously in the rankings this week. The Wolfpack has shut three teams out this season and allowed just 24 points in five games. There’s no logical way to rank Mount Carmel ahead of St. Ignatius, so that means Marist has to tumble as well. The Caravan beat the RedHawks 28-16 at Marist.

The rugged CCL/ESCC schedule affords Marist and Mount Carmel plenty of chances to vault back near the top of the rankings. It could happen soon. Marist is at Loyola on Saturday and Mount Carmel hosts Brother Rice on Friday.

The other tough decision this week was who to add in the last spot. Prairie Ridge drops out after getting soundly beaten by rival Cary-Grove.

Three undefeated teams were the contenders for the No. 25 spot: Kankakee, Glenbrook South and South Elgin. I let the opponents’ records decide this one. The Storm’s opponents are 15-10, so it was an easy call. The Kays’ opponents are just 12-13 and Glenbrook South’s are 10-14.

The Bulldogs came back from a four-point deficit to beat Antioch 24-13 and continue their undefeated run this season. 

Clayton Glasby and quarterback Vince Bennett connected for two touchdown passes and Vince Bennet scored a five-yard rushing touchdown in the fourth quarter. 

Wauconda is leading the Northern Lake County conference. The Bulldogs have also knocked off Proviso West, Riverside-Brookfield, Grant and Grayslake Central this season. They travel to Lakes on Friday. 

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