The matchups are in, and with games beginning tonight, Illinois is ready for another exciting season of IHSA playoff football. As for the Brother Rice Crusaders, they will face Mount Carmel tomorrow morning at Gately Stadium, not the ideal situation for Rice, but one they must deal with nonetheless.
If you missed the last meeting between the Crusaders and the Caravan earlier this season, here's what went down. Mount Carmel systematically demolished the Crusader defense, as junior running back Matt Domer led the team with three rushing touchdowns. QB Matt Page and Rice's offense got their only score of the game on running back Marcus Jones' rushing touchdown in the first quarter. The Crusader offense also hurt itself with numerous key turnovers, resulting in a final score of 56-7.
Obviously, every game is a new game, but even if Rice gives one of its best efforts of the season, one can only assume that quarterback Don Butkus and the Caravan are going to keep the game competitive at the very least. Mount Carmel is a well-coached team with strong, smart players who know how to get the job done. The Crusaders can be dangerous if their offense is clicking and their defense is forcing turnovers, though both have been inconsistent throughout this transitional season for Brother Rice.
Find out what's happening in Oak Lawnwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
As long as everyone remembers to wake up early and the players are healthy and ready to go, it should be a hard fought battle at Gately tomorrow. Carmel has the talent and the experience, but who knows. Maybe Coach Badke and the Crusaders have one more trick up their sleeve.
