Marist gets 'back on the map'

It may not have been the way he wanted the season to end, but Marist football coach Pat Dunne remained proud of his team's accomplishments.

"These kids played their hearts out," said Dunne, whose RedHawks endured a 42-7 defeat to Mount Carmel in a Class 8A quarterfinal Friday. "They played hard until the end. We would have liked to have played better, but Mount Carmel is a great team. This team put Marist football back on the map."

Without question.

The RedHawks had qualified for the postseason once in the past 12 years. That is, until this season, when Dunne guided the RedHawks to a 9-3 mark, including victories against Carmel and Naperville North.

Marist will need some newcomers to step up next season, with tailback Bill Seiler and defensive lineman Nabal Jefferson being two of a handful of impact players who will move on to college.

However, quarterback Mike Perish and wide receivers Dan Piko and Nick Valla figure to return, providing the offense with an outstanding foundation to build upon.

"We're going to miss these seniors," Dunne said. "These guys worked hard and bought into the system. They were extremely coachable. We have some key players returning and we expect to be very competitive next season."

Crusaders ready to reload

It was an agonizing end to a successful season for Brother Rice.

Hinsdale Central kicker Dave Lutz's game-winning field goal hung on the crossbar of the goal post for a brief second before falling over to secure a 17-14 Red Devils victory on Saturday.

"We're still reliving that field goal," coach Steve Nye said. "It was a tough way to end the season."

The Crusaders have been one of the most consistent programs in the area, qualifying for the playoffs seven straight years, including three quarterfinal appearances, one semifinal run and a few Prep Bowl victories.

But a trip to the state finals has eluded Nye's squad.

However, with a freshman group that racked up the first 9-0 season in the program's history and a solid group of returning starters back, the Crusaders should be in the mix for another successful run next fall.

Junior running backs Pat Sullivan and Pete Weyforth will have a greater role in the backfield, with sophomore Tim Arvasen and freshmen Martez Walker, Andrew Walker and Ryan McGaha ready to make an impact.

"We have some experience returning and some kids with tremendous potential," Nye said. "Martez showed a glimpse of what he's capable of during the playoffs. Andrew made us look silly all week during practice. I expect us to be very competitive."

The Crusaders will miss a senior class, led by QB Tom Gibson and RB Frank Renardo, that exhibited a strong work ethic and genuinely liked each other.

"A team is only as good as its seniors and these seniors achieved a lot," Nye said. "From the weight room in January to a trip we took to Benedictine (University) in July, it was a group that encouraged each other the whole way. When we brought some sophomores and freshmen up, the seniors welcomed them. We didn't achieve the ultimate goal we wanted, but it was an outstanding season."

Celtics in dominant form

How does a team that finished 5-4 receive three home games in the first four rounds of the playoffs?

"The chips are falling our way," said Providence coach Mark Coglianese. "It's been a nice surprise."

The Celtics, fresh off a 38-0 drubbing of Rock Island, will welcome Sacred Heart-Griffin to New Lenox at 1 p.m. Saturday.

The two teams are quite familiar with one another. Providence eliminated Sacred Heart-Griffin in the first round of the playoffs last season by a 28-21 count.

Coglianese hopes his defense can come up with an effort similar to last Saturday, when Joey Michals, Tyler Plantz, Peter Houlihan and Shane Paty led an impressive shutout performance.

"We are playing well," said Coglianese, whose Celtics have won six straight. "It was as complete a performance as we've had all year. We had a great game plan on defense, Hanrahan ran for 269 yards and we returned a punt for a touchdown on special teams.

"This is going to be a totally different challenge this week. Sacred Heart likes to throw the ball around and we have to be ready. We don't want to get into a shootout. That wouldn't be good for us.

"We need to run the ball, eat some clock and keep their offense off the field."

Pat Disabato can be reached at pdisabato@southtownstar.com or (708) 802-8837.