Break it down: Week 1

Updated: September 1, 2011 4:34PM

Friday night’s showdown between Carmel and Joliet Catholic at Joliet’s Memorial Stadium was the exception that proved the rule in Week 1 of the 2011 season.

Several powerhouse programs made statements for the defense in their openers, including Mount Carmel and Glenbard West. The Caravan held elusive Simeon quarterback Robert Gregory mostly in check and completely shut down the rest of the Wolverines’ offense en route to a 24-13 win at Soldier Field in the opener of the Preseason Prep Bowl. Glenbard West, meanwhile, made the first game of the post-Reilly O’Toole era a rough one for two-time defending Class 7A champ Wheaton Warrenville South, winning 21-7 Sunday before a full house at Red Grange Field and a national TV audience.

Those were two of the notable nonconference matchups that open the season for most teams. But a couple of leagues start playing games that count right away, including the East Suburban Catholic Conference. And the ESCC, like NASCAR with the Daytona 500, got its marquee event out of the way right at the get-go.

Never mind the fact that it’s not even Labor Day. The local prep football scene may not produce a more entertaining game all season than Joliet Catholic’s 32-31 thriller over Carmel that went against the grain of those other defense-dominated games.

Junior Ty Isaac had a stunning performance for the Hilltoppers, running 17 times for 221 yards and catching two passes for 93 yards. His 75-yard touchdown catch with 35.3 seconds remaining, along with Isaac Grashoff’s PAT, was the final highlight reel play on a night packed with them. Isaac also had TD runs of 70 and 46 yards, while Carmel – which had three 100-yard rushers – rallied from a 15-point, third-quarter deficit to score 21 straight points. The last of those came on Michael Panico’s 56-yard touchdown run and a PAT with a minute remaining.

Joliet Catholic coach Dan Sharp called Isaac’s clinching score one of the most exciting moments in his 34-year career on the sidelines, while Carmel coach Andy Bitto suggested Isaac might be the best back in the state. Those are heavy superlatives to throw around, but this was one time to believe the hype.

Trivia question

How many Public League teams beat non-Public League teams in Week 1? (Answer below)

Best of the rest

Wheaton North 26, Bartlett 24: John Peltz’s 21-yard touchdown pass to Cole Hrgich on fourth down as time expired lifted the host Falcons past the Hawks. Bartlett had gone ahead 24-20 on A.J. Bilyeu’s nine-yard TD pass to Justin Blanchett with 36 seconds left.

Marian Central 47, Oswego 41: In a game that ended after 11:30 p.m., the host Hurricanes rallied from 23 points down halfway through the third quarter to stun the Panthers. Junior QB Chris Streveler had 325 yards of total offense, four passing TDs and two rushing touchdowns for Marian.

Rolling Meadows 50, York 49: Matt Mishler isn’t likely to forget his head coaching debut, not after watching his Mustangs come from 21-0 down to stun the Dukes.Libertyville 23, Barrington 20: Hutch Hercgenbach’s one-yard sneak on fourth-and-goal in overtime gave the host Wildcats a dramatic win in the opener of the final season for retiring coach Randy Kuceyeski. Daniel Kubiuk’s 20-yard field goal on the opening possession of OT gave the Broncos a 20-17 lead.

Hinsdale Central 27, St. Charles North 26: The Red Devils stopped the North Stars’ conversion try in overtime to give Rich Tarka the win in his first game as Hinsdale Central coach.

Stars of the week

Ty Isaac, Joliet Catholic: A 75-yard touchdown reception in the closing seconds helped the Hilltoppers edge Carmel 32-31 and capped a night when the junior had 314 yards of total offense.

Jack Milas, Rolling Meadows: The junior completed 33-of-59 passes for 493 yards and six touchdowns in the comeback win over York.

Ryan West, Oswego: The senior quarterback was 25-of-41 passing for 433 yards and five touchdowns in a loss to Marian Central.

Josh Williams, Downers Grove South: The senior ran 37 times for a career-high 336 yards and three touchdowns as the Mustangs beat South Elgin 28-7.

Mikale Wilbon, De La Salle: The sophomore dashed 75 yards for a touchdown on his first carry in a 35-7 win over Lane and finished with 260 yards and four TDs on 13 rushes.

Week 2 watch

Brother Rice (1-0) at Marist (1-0), 7:30 p.m. Friday: The first meeting between the Southwest Side rivals since the 2007 season opener should be a good one. Rice relies on a pair of talented runners (Martez Walker and Andrew Walker), while Marist had a big game last week from backup QB Ian Woodworth, who subbed for Luke Oosterbaan (hand).

Wheaton Warrenville South (0-1) at Maine South (1-0), 7:30 p.m. Friday: It’s the two-time defending Class 7A champ (WW South) vs. the three-time defending 8A winner (Maine South). The Tigers, with an offense still finding its legs, had a hard time scoring in last weekend’s loss to Glenbard West. The Hawks, meanwhile, got a kickoff return TD from Paul Preston to open the game vs. Warren and never looked back.

Montini (1-0) at Loyola (1-0), 1:30 p.m. Saturday: After getting past one Class 8A power last week in Palatine, Montini hits the road to play another. Loyola eased past Evanston last week behind talented quarterback Malcolm Weaver, but the Ramblers’ defense also figures to be a force to be reckoned with this fall.

Trivia answer

Six: Curie (39-13 over Argo), Fenger (40-19 over Reavis), King (56-6 over St. Joseph), Schurz (20-14 over Maine East), Urban Prep-Englewood (14-6 over Maine West) and Washington (16-0 over St. Francis deSales).

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