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No, I didn't overlook St. Laurence on my list of the top 10 teams I have seen in more than 40 years of watching high school football.
Under coach Tom Kavanagh and later under Mike O'Neill, St. Laurence fielded some of the finest teams and produced some of the finest players in the Chicago area in the 1970s...Tim Grunhard, Jeff Pearson, Paul Glonek, Kevin King, Pete Allard, Jim Kozlowski, Rob Mikel, Steve Mally, Jerry Skizas, Jerry Barnicle, Dan Gregus, Ron Prusa, Mike McQuinn, Pete Grogan, Dave Michalczewski.
However, the Vikings won only one state championship--in 1976, an overtime victory over Glenbard West. In my view, the 1976 team didn't match up to some of the school's best teams.
The 1974 team is mentioned. It was ranked No. 1 in the Chicago area before losing to Brother Rice in the final game of the regular season. Because only conference champions qualified to participate in the state playoff in those years, St. Laurence not only lost the conference title but failed to land a spot in the state playoff. It went on to win its third Prep Bowl in a row.
In my view, the 1973 team was best of all. Led by fullback Kevin King and linebacker Pete Allard, St. Laurence beat Phillips and Roy Parker 40-24 in the Prep Bowl. But even that team lost twice in the regular season.
When evaluating the best teams of all time, it is difficult to rate a team that has lost once or twice ahead of an unbeaten team, especially if the team went 14-0 en route to a state championship. And a lot of unbeaten teams made my short list but not the final 10.
Sure, caliber of competition must be taken into consideration. But teams don't go 14-0 in the largest classes without confronting strong opponents, regardless of what conference they represent.
Did you notice that not a single Mount Carmel team is rated among the top 10? Or Providence? And only one Joliet Catholic team. And only one from East St. Louis. And those four schools have dominated the state playoff since 1974.
Let the debate continue.
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Taylor,
Thanks for the response regarding St. Laurence. I guess we just use different criteria to rank the teams. I understand there were many unbeaten teams over the years but from following the Catholic League so closely for 40+ years I know what the competition is compared to many other leagues - especially in the 60s, 70s and 80s. I realize the level of competition across Chicago has risen in most all conferences significantly.
As you say - let the debate continue.
Gerry
Mr. Bell
Thanks for remembering my brother Dave Michalczewski. Dave passed away in Feb. of '07 after 25 years as a Dallas Police Officer. This was very special to find.
Thank you.
Mark Michals (Michalsczewski)
St. Laurence Prep Bowl Champs '73
I believe the 79 st.laurence team was the most talented...They had 8 players that recieved div.1 full scholarships. Mike Berggren was a was a transfer from st.rita and coach oneil tagged him the best athlete he had coached and a 2 way starter. Mike Mcquin was another excellent player . Ron Prusa went to Michigan but his big ten career fell short . Rick gregus to NIU good college career. Hammerlund Dowling and Paterno all full rides to the Ivy League....Just a great team that fell short to East st.louis for the 79 state championship due to Oneils POOR offensive calls, the running game was electric from the 1st play ..Pete Neagle 65 yrd run but Oneil switched gears to his air attach that was dismal and the weather was 10 degees GO FIGURE ! Oneil goes to Andrew and his poor coaching talents followed him.
Bob D.
Bob, You may be right about the 1979 team. But I think most old-timers would favor Tom Kavanagh's earlier teams that featured Allard, Pearson, Grunhard and Glonek. The biggest disappointment, of course, was the 1974 team that was rated No. 1 but lost its final regular-season game to Brother Rice and thus failed to qualify for the state playoff because, in those days, only conference champions advanced. Taylor Bell