Break it Down: Week 7 filled with thrills

Marist’s defense celebrates after tackling St. Patrick for a loss.
(Scott Powers/For the Sun-Times News Group)

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Even though Marist is 5-2 and the state playoffs are on the horizon, RedHawks running back Bill Seiler is not satisfied.

"We got to stay focused and know what we got to do," said the 5-9, 180-pound Seiler. "We're just taking it one week at time. (On Friday) we got Benet and then Marian Catholic. We are going to try to finish it up strong and finish 7-2. We need to keep focused."

Perhaps adding fuel to Seiler's fire is the fact that the RedHawks last made the playoffs in 2005 -- their only appearance since 1996, when they finished 9-4.

With already a guaranteed non-losing season in the books, Seiler said the biggest difference this year is the "work ethic and concentration" first-year head coach Pat Dunne has instilled in his team.

Dunne, a 1998 Marist graduate, was a kicker-punter at Lake Forest College and had stints with the Bears, Colts and in NFL Europe. He also served as Marist’s head sophomore coach for two years.

"The intensity level is up way more than last year," Seiler said. "We're getting ready to go. We're getting rowdy. We're screaming. We're getting the juice going."

MR. DO-EVERYTHING

Is there a player who does more for his team than Maine South’s Joey Orlando?

Not only is Orlando (6-0, 175 pounds) the Hawks’ top receiving threat, but he also plays defensive back, returns kicks and handles kicking duties.

On Friday, Orlando (a top player of week 7 candidate, see poll) kicked a game-winning 28-yard field goal, made 3-of-3 extra points, and finished with 11 catches for 110 yards in a 30-27 win over Glenbrook South.

A PIRATES PUSH

For the second consecutive week, Palatine defeated a ranked opponent. On Friday, the Pirates — led by quarterback Matt Rossi (16-for-26, 211 yards, TD pass, TD run) — knocked off Fremd, which was ranked No. 19 heading into the game.

Jason Pelnar stopped Vikings quarterback Michael Tauchman on a fourth-and-goal from the 1-yard line to preserve the win for Palatine. It was Fremd’s first loss in the Mid-Suburban West since 2004.

A week earlier and in another Mid-Suburban West game, Palatine (5-2, 2-1) upended Barrington, which was ranked No. 8 at the time, in a 41-35 thriller. Rossi stood out in that game as well, racking up 324 yards passing and three touchdowns.

CATHOLIC PARITY

Here’s who beat who in the Catholic League Blue (conference games only).

St. Rita defeated Mount Carmel 35-21 and Providence 14-10, but lost to Loyola 24-0. The Ramblers lost to the Caravan 35-14. Mount Carmel, though, lost to Providence 6-3, but defeated Brother Rice 35-10. The Crusaders also knocked off Loyola 16-7.

OK ... so what does all this mean? It means ... St. Rita will play Brother Rice for the Blue title this Friday.

SEEING STARS (Vote on the top player of Week 7, see poll. Voting ends Wednesday. The winner will be announced Thursday.)

Luke Anderson, LB, Lemont: Four sacks, forced fumble in 27-0 win over Hillcrest Friday.

Cory Brown, WR, Bartlett: Nine catches — including game-winning 42-yard TD reception — 169 yards in 31-28 win over Neuqua Valley Friday.

DaRon Brown, QB, Morgan Park: 118 rushing yards, four TDs in 32-19 win over Hubbard Saturday.

Roosevelt Holliday, DT, Bolingbrook: Forced a fumble and returned it 72 yards for a touchdown in 27-17 win over Lincoln-Way East Friday.

Alex Kirk, WR, Hinsdale Central: Scored four TDs (three receiving, one rushing) in 42-20 win over York Saturday.

Sam Ojuri, RB, Barrington: Scored five TDs (four rushing, one receiving), 24 carries, 223 yards, four catches, 80 yards in 49-29 win over Schaumburg Friday.

Joey Orlando, WR/DB/K, Maine South: Kicked game-winning 28-yard field goal; made 3-of-3 extra points; 11 catches, 110 yards in 30-27 win over Glenbrook South Friday.

Perry Levin, DB, Waubonsie Valley: Four interceptions in 37-12 win over Bloom Friday.

Jordan Lynch, QB, Mount Carmel: Had 288 yards of total offense and three TDs (two rushing, one passing) in 35-14 win over Loyola Friday.

Billy VandeMerkt, QB, Riverside-Brookfield: 30-for-38, 415 yards, eight TDs in a 63-19 win over Fenton Friday.

PLAYER OF THE YEAR WATCH

Charlie Goro made a statement Friday night against Glenbrook South. The Vanderbilt-bound quarterback engineered a game-winning drive against Glenbrook South in the final 1:02. The top-rated Hawks remain unbeaten.

Other players to watch include: Tyler Hudetz, RB, Joliet Catholic; Nick Mlady, RB, Naperville North; Jordan Roberts, QB, Aurora Christian; Chris Watt, OL, Glenbard West; Cameron White, RB, Antioch; John Whitelaw, QB, Hinsdale Central.

QUOTES OF THE WEEK

"That was the only play they were running to my side all night ... We knew it wasn’t going to be easy. They’re Fremd. It’s the biggest game of the year. We haven’t beaten them in seven years." -- Palatine’s Jason Pelnar about his game-preserving tackle in a 28-21 win over Fremd.

"Our star linebacker (Garrett Richards) was out and we still shut them down.People don't understand that we are the best defense in the league." -- Glenbard West noseman Theo Odom about the Hilltoppers' shutout of Downers Grove North.

“It was pretty cool. But I was even more glad that we came out and beat York.” -- Hinsdale Central receiver Alex Kirk about his four-touchdown game against York on Saturday.

LOOKING AHEAD

Top game in Week 8

Thursday

Curie at Lane

Marshall vs. Robeson at Stagg

Friday

Brother Rice at St. Rita

Glenbard North at Naperville Central

St. Patrick at Carmel

Barrington at Fremd

Warren at Stevenson

Prairie Ridge at Huntley

Wheeling at Prospect

Lemont at Oak Forest

Bolingbrook at Sandburg

Saturday

New Trier at Maine South

Thornton vs. Bartlett at Streamwood

Aurora Christian at Luther North

ajahns@suntimes.com