Patch MVP: Vote Up Kelly and Hasan

Thursday is your last day to vote for Patch MVP. McAuley's Kelly Clarke and Richards' Hasan Muhammad-Rogers need a surge.

UPDATE: Mother McAuley's Kelly Clarke is Patch MVP

Mother McAuley volleyball standout Kelly Clarke outpolled nine others in voting for Southland Patch's MVP, Oct. 29-Nov. 4. She is now eilgible for Patch Athlete of the Month honors.

Your Patch is a place to celebrate local high school athletes. Show your support for these prep sports MVPs—each of whom is Athlete of the Week in his or her local Patch—by cheering them on in the comments thread, sharing your own photos with the Patch community and voting in the poll. Do you think we're missing someone? Tell us in the comments and share his or her photo to the gallery above. (It's easy. Just click the Upload Photos and Videos link — learn more here.) Read more about this week's MVPs in the photo gallery, and show your support for them by: There is one more way for you to become a more interactive fan: Sign up to become a Patch sports blogger. (Learn more about blogging on Patch here).

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UPDATE: Andrew's Bryan Warja is Patch MVP

Andrew football standout Bryan Warja outpolled 11 others in voting for Southland Patch's MVP, Oct. 15-21. Warja is now eligible for Patch Athlete of the Month honors.

Your Patch is a place to celebrate local high school athletes. Show your support for these prep sports MVPs—each of whom is Athlete of the Week in his or her local Patch—by cheering them on in the comments thread, sharing your own photos with the Patch community and voting in the poll. Do you think we're missing someone? Tell us in the comments and share his or her photo to the gallery above. (It's easy. Just click the Upload Photos and Videos link — learn more here.) Read more about this week's MVPs in the photo gallery, and show your support for them by: There is one more way for you to become a more interactive fan: Sign up to become a Patch sports blogger. (Learn more about blogging on Patch here).

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Six Southland Patch Players Named to Illinois Football Coaches All-State Team

Oak Forest's Tevin Coleman, Andrew's Mike Love, Brother Rice's Martez Walker, Providence Catholic's Ryan Ward, Tinley Park's Zack Webster and Lincoln-Way East's Blake Winkler are honored by the Illinois High School Football Coaches Association.

On the final weekend of the high school football season, six Southland Patch players will be recognized during introductions of the IHSFCA All-State teams in Champaign. The introductions will coincide with the playing of state championship games Friday and Saturday at the University of Illinois’ Memorial Stadium. Brother Rice running back Martez Walker was named to the Class 8A all-state team by the IHSFCA. He led the Crusaders to an 8-5 record, setting single-season and career scoring records. Brother Rice dropped a 39-6 decision to Mount Carmel in the Catholic League Blue title game. In Class 7A, Lincoln-Way East quarterback Blake Winkler, Providence Catholic offensive lineman Ryan Ward and Andrew offensive lineman Mike Love were picked …

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Kremer's 5 Hot Picks: Lemont Football Defense Too Tough for Oak Forest

Oak Forest will try to crack a Lemont defense that has pitched five shutouts in its regular-season finale. Bloom faces Marian Catholic in a battle for bragging rights in The Heights.

1. Oak Forest (6-2) at Lemont (8-0), 7. Quick Take: Lemont has pitched five shutouts and allowed 32 points in eight games. Oak Forest will need trio of Tom Zale, Matt Barry and Tevin Coleman to hit on all cylinders. Pick: Lemont. 2. Joliet Catholic Academy (7-1) at Marist (6-2), 7:30. Quick Take: It’s JCA’s powerful run game vs. Marist’s light-up-the-scoreboard passing attack. Pick: Joliet Catholic Academy. 3. Homewood-Flossmoor (6-2) at Sandburg (5-3), 7:30. Quick Take: Homewood-Flossmoor quarterback Tim Williams will be challenged by a Sandburg defense that has been steady. Pick: Homewood-Flossmoor. 4. Bloom (2-6) at Marian Catholic (3-5), 6. Quick Take: Pride at stake in The Heights. Bloom dropped a 12-7 heart-breaker to Rich East. …

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Patch Football Power Rankings: No. 5 Oak Forest Set for Showdown at Tinley Park

Oak Forest climbs to fifth in weekly Patch Power Rankings and heads into tonight's South Suburban Blue battle at Tinley Park ready to make its mark. Lincoln-Way East remains undefeated and alone at the top of the rankings.

1. Lincoln-Way East (6-0): Schedule now has Griffins driving on Easy Street toward undefeated regular season. Last week: No. 1. Tonight: at Lincoln-Way Central, 7:30. 2. Brother Rice (4-2): Crusaders have a chance to make a little hay following a thrilling double-overtime win at Providence. Last Week: No. 2. Tonight: at De La Salle, 7:30. 3. Homewood-Flossmoor (4-2): Ah, that’s more like it. The Vikings’ 35-0 victory over Lockport has them pointed in the right direction again. Last week: No. 4. Saturday: at Joliet Central, 1. 4. Sandburg (5-1): Eagles are about to find out where they stand in the Southwest Suburban Blue. Last week: No. 3. Tonight: vs. Bolingbrook, 7:30. 5. Oak Forest (5-1): Tevin Coleman is Mr. Offense. Don't discount the …

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delete

2:42 pm on Sunday, October 9, 2011

Brother Rice 42 @ de LaSalle 14 St Rita 28 @ Bishop Mac 24 Mt Carmel 51 @ St Laurence 6 Loyola 47 @ Fenwick 7 Providence 46 @ Lake Forest 14 CCL Blue, baby!   more ›

Lincoln-Way East Remains Consensus No. 1 in Weeky Football Poll

Lincoln-Way East is 5-0 and sits atop the Patch Power Rankings heading into tonight's showdown at Bolingbrook. Second-ranked Brother Rice looks to snap a two-game losing streak at Providence.

1. Lincoln-Way East (5-0): Another week, another showdown. Last week: No. 1. Tonight: at Bolingbrook, 7:30. 2. Brother Rice (3-2): Overrated? It’s make-or-break time for Crusaders. Last Week: No. 4. Tonight: at Providence, 7:30 p.m. 3. Sandburg (4-1): Eagles look to rebound at home. Last week: No. 2. Tonight: a vs. Joliet Central, 7:30. 4. Homewood-Flossmoor (3-2): Vikings’ performance a week ago did not sit well with coach Craig Buzea. Last week: No. 3. Tonight: at Lockport, 7. 5. Oak Forest (4-1): Bengals happy to have quarterback Tom Zale back under center. Last week: Unranked. Tonight: vs. Argo, 7. Next best (in alphabetical order): Lincoln-Way North, Marian Catholic, Marist, Providence, Tinley Park. (Covering the following Patch …

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L-W East, H-F Stand 1-2 in Patch Power Rankings, Brace for Football Showdown

All eyes will be on the Southwest Suburban Blue football battle between No. 1 Lincoln-Way East and No. 2 Homewood-Flossmoor. Meanwhile, Oak Forest climbs into the top five and continues to show signs of adding balance to an explosive offense.

1. Lincoln-Way East (3-0): Road kill? The Griffins look to go a leg up in the Southwest Suburban Blue by taking down H-F. Last week: No. 1. Tonight: at Homewood-Flossmoor, 7:30 p.m. 2. Homewood-Flossmoor (3-0): Yes, the Vikings advanced to the Class 8A semifinals last season. No, they did not defeat 7A power Lincoln-Way East. They’re ready to take another shot. Last week: No. 2. Tonight: vs. Lincoln-Way East, 7:30 p.m. 3. Brother Rice (3-0): The Crusaders average 36.7 points. St. Rita has allowed 28 points. Period. Something must give in this Catholic League Blue matchup. Last week: No. 3. Tonight: vs. St. Rita, 7:30 p.m. 4. Sandburg (3-0): The Eagles are starting to show signs of hitting their stride but can ill-afford to get caught here …

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Ron Kremer

10:12 am on Friday, September 16, 2011

We shall see, my friend.   more ›

Brother Rice Uses OT Win as Springboard to Entry in Weekly Patch Football Poll

Crusaders climb to No. 3 in Patch Power Rankings after scoring a thrilling 34-31 overtime victory over Marist. Homewood-Flossmoor looks to take care of business on the road, set up a Sept. 16 Southwest Suburban Blue showdown.

1. Lincoln-Way East (2-0): Griffins open play in Southwest Suburban Blue looking to pass first true test. Last week: No. 1. Tonight: vs. Lockport, 7:30 p.m. 2. Homewood-Flossmoor (2-0): Vikings have outscored their first two opponents 123-6. Will it get tougher in Week 3? Last week: No. 2. Tonight: at Lincoln-Way Central, 7:30 p.m. 3. Brother Rice (2-0): If one Walker brother doesn’t beat you, the other will. Last week: Unranked. Tonight: vs. Kankakee Bishop McNamara, 7:30 p.m. 4. Sandburg (2-0): In Week 1, the Eagles won with defense. In Week 2, the offense erupted. QB Anthony Adams did some nice work running and throwing the ball. Last week: No. 3. Saturday: at Joliet West, 1 p.m. 5. Lincoln-Way North (2-0): Phoenix boast a powerful run …

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