Football: Brother Rice eyes redemption

Updated: November 15, 2011 6:58PM

The Catholic League playoffs may not have the prestige of the state playoffs.

But rest assured, with Brother Rice and Mount Carmel competing Friday at Gately Stadium for the Catholic League championship, the intensity will resemble a state title game atmosphere.

The Catholic League Blue powers, each eliminated from the Class 8A state playoffs in the second round, lay it all on the line at 6 p.m.

If there’s a single benefit to being ousted from the state playoffs for Catholic League teams, it’s a chance to extend their season in the Catholic League playoffs. The eventual champion takes on the Public League champ in the Prep Bowl.

“The kids are excited,” Brother Rice coach Steve Nye said of his Crusaders. “They were down after the Downers Grove South game (a 41-14 Class 8A loss). But I told them that they get to play the greatest game in the world for another week.”

Make that two weeks after Brother Rice drubbed Fenwick 37-0 Saturday in the Catholic League semifinals.

Mount Carmel (8-4) took care of business Friday, smashing Hales 63-6 and setting up Friday’s championship. The Caravan was in position to join the Catholic League playoffs after a 21-7 loss to Bolingbrook in the 8A second round.

“I told the seniors this gives them an opportunity to have a different ending to their high school careers,” Nye said. “You don’t want your career to end the way it did against Downers Grove South.”

Friday also provides the Crusaders (8-4) a chance to overcome a regular season loss to Mount Carmel. In that Week 5 tussle, the Caravan denied a late Brother Rice rally to garner a 35-24 win. Running back Brandon Greer rushed for 239 yards and three touchdowns on just 14 carries for the Caravan.

Brother Rice fought to the end, though. The Crusaders drove to the Caravan 6-yard line before Frank Kelly intercepted a pass with 4:52 to go to seal the deal.

“We had a poor performance on defense,” Nye said. “Greer is a heck of a running back, but we have to do a better job of tackling in the open field. We had the guy and he busted loose four times. We’re better offensively now, too.”

The Caravan defense did a nice job containing Brother Rice’s 1-2 backfield punch of Martez Walker and Andrew Walker. Neither topped 100 yards rushing that night.

“It’s a huge rivalry,” Nye said. “It should be exciting.”

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