Joliet Cath. is first up for Corsairs

Carmel running back Mike Taylor is back this season.
(Michael Schmidt/News-Sun)

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Call it fate or just a coincidence, but scheduling conflicts left Carmel with only one real option for a season-opening opponent: East Suburban Catholic rival Joliet Catholic.

But that’s just fine with Corsairs coach Andy Bitto.

“If you want to be the best, you got to be beat the best,” Bitto said. “And in our league, that is Joliet Catholic.”

Bitto said he was “disappointed” not see to the Hilltoppers, who have won the ESCC the last four seasons, on his conference schedule, but the nonconference matchup with them is still a chance to maintain a blossoming rivalry.

“Our mentality is that we want play the best,” Bitto said. “Our season would be empty if we won the conference without playing them. … We are really focused to get our stuff in order.”

Carmel has had its stuff in order for some time. The Corsairs have made the state playoffs eight consecutive seasons, including a state title in 2003 and a Class 7A semifinal appearance last season.

The Corsairs return 15 players with starting or considerable experience. The offense is anchored by tight end Jack Baucus (6-6, 245 pounds) and guards John Burandt (6-3, 290) and Patrick Lyons (6-4, 250), an all-ESCC selection last season.

“Our offense is going to better than last year,” said Baucus, who committed to Arizona this summer. “We have a tremendously disciplined offensive line able to make all the blocks. I think we will be able to dominate.”

Although some ESCC teams have switched to spread offensive schemes, don’t expect Carmel to follow suit. “We will be running our triple option again,” Bitto said.

Andrew Nerup takes over for graduated quarterback David Venegoni, and Jackson Davenport, whom Bitto called “one of our most athletic players,” will play fullback, a key position in the Corsairs’ attack. Slotback Mike Taylor, Carmel’s third leading rusher last season, also returns.

Safety Jake Sinkovec and linebacker Kolin Meehan, a converted offensive lineman, will lead another tough Carmel defense.

“We developed a rivalry with Joliet Catholic,” said Sinkovec, who has scholarship offers from Navy and Air Force. “They have an amazing team year after year, and at Carmel we got a pretty good program as well. We are pretty pumped up to play them.”

ajahns@chicagosuntimes.com 

CARMEL BY THE NUMBERS

Conference: East Suburban Catholic

Coach: Andy Bitto 11th Season (87-32)

2007 Record: 10-3 (6-1) Class 7A Semifinals

2007 Final Rank: 17

2008 Schedule

August

29. Joliet Catholic

September

5 @ Libertyville

12 @ Marist

19 Benet

26 @ Marian Catholic

October

3 Notre Dame

11 @ St. Joseph

17 St. Patrick

25 @ Nazareth

Key Game: October 25 at Nazareth: Although the Corsairs open the season against rivals Joliet Catholic and Libertyville, the ESCC title may come down to the final game of the season against the upstart Roadrunners.

Phil Barnes