Introduction to Week 2’s Top High School Football Games
It’s a loaded weekend around the area in Week 2. Here are previews of a few of the best games.
No. 11 St. Rita at No. 1 Mount Carmel, 7:30 p.m. Friday
Lately, Mount Carmel (1-0) has controlled this classic South Side rivalry, which dates back to 1924. The Caravan have won seven straight matchups, including two meetings last year, to push their series lead to 69-31 with three ties. Mount Carmel is coming off a stirring 43-42 neutral-site win over nine-time Ohio state champ Moeller, getting the winning touchdown and two-point conversion as time expired. Emmett Dowling aced his first test as the Caravan’s full-time starting quarterback, passing for four touchdowns and finishing with 446 yards of total offense. Stephen Armbruster became the career leader in passing TDs for St. Rita (1-0) with 27, throwing for a pair in a 28-21 win over Marist.
No. 6 Brother Rice at No. 11 Marist, 7:30 p.m. Friday
It’s also rivalry week on Pulaski Road for these schools located barely two miles apart. Brother Rice (1-0) had an easy time in its opener against Valparaiso (Ind.), rolling 43-19 as CJ Gray passed for two touchdowns and Jaylin Green ran for two more, including a 57-yarder. Marist (0-1) led St. Rita 21-14 in the third quarter, but lost 28-21 after the Mustangs scored the game-winning TD with 13 seconds remaining. Kevin Bartolotta ran for 170 yards and all three TDs for the RedHawks.
Morgan Park at No. 4 Nazareth, 6:30 p.m. Friday
Three-time defending Class 5A champ Nazareth (1-0) opened with a 33-12 win at Kankakee, pulling away from a 12-12 tie in the third quarter. The Roadrunners used a pair of quarterbacks, as Jackson Failla passed for 213 yards and two TDs (both to Jake Cestone) and Frankie Nichols threw for 81 yards and one score. Morgan Park (0-1) lost 11-8 to Downers Grove North on a field goal as time expired. The Mustangs have a pair of Power Four recruits — receiver Nasir Rankin (Illinois) and defensive end Carmelow Reed (Mississippi) — and a bunch of solid linemen on both sides of the ball.
No. 22 Maine South at No. 10 Warren, 7:30 p.m. Friday
As Aaron Stewart — a two-sport commit to Illinois for football and wrestling — goes, so goes Warren. In a 43-36 opening win against Hersey, Stewart put up video-game numbers: 43 carries, 438 yards and six touchdowns. Maine South (0-1) will try to bounce back after a 40-0 home loss to Lincoln-Way East. Indiana commit Jameson Purcell was 37-for-64 passing for the Hawks for 305 yards with three interceptions.
Sandburg at No. 15 Richards, 7:30 p.m. Friday
Returning Class 6A semifinalist Richards (1-0) is coming off a wild 51-41 home win against Crete-Monee. Quarterback Noah Escobedo and two-way standout Ahmad Buchanan were the stars: Escobedo passed for 305 yards and three TDs, while Buchanan caught a 52-yard TD pass, ran for 69 yards and picked off a pass. Sandburg (1-0) opened with a 31-9 win over District 230 rival Andrew as Luke Basiorka ran for 132 yards and two TDs, Sean Ruisz passed for 186 yards — 160 to Quinn Durkin — and two scores.
Conclusion
Week 2 of the high school football season promises to be an exciting one, with several top-ranked teams facing off against each other. From the classic South Side rivalry between St. Rita and Mount Carmel to the matchup between Brother Rice and Marist, there are plenty of great games to watch. With talented players like Emmett Dowling, Stephen Armbruster, and Aaron Stewart taking the field, fans are in for a treat.
FAQs
Q: What time does the St. Rita vs. Mount Carmel game start?
A: The game starts at 7:30 p.m. on Friday.
Q: Which team is ranked higher in the Brother Rice vs. Marist game?
A: Brother Rice is ranked No. 6, while Marist is ranked No. 11.
Q: Who is the starting quarterback for Nazareth?
A: Nazareth used a pair of quarterbacks in their opening game, with Jackson Failla and Frankie Nichols both seeing playing time.
Q: What is the score of the Maine South vs. Lincoln-Way East game?
A: Maine South lost 40-0 to Lincoln-Way East in their opening game.
Q: Who is the standout player for Warren?
A: Aaron Stewart is the standout player for Warren, with a two-sport commit to Illinois for football and wrestling.
