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The Catholic League Blue has qualified four of its six members for this week's state quarterfinals while the DuPage Valley has advanced three. So it's only natural to resume the debate: Which conference is better?
From the first time I covered a Catholic League football game--a Mount Carmel/Loyola matchup in Wilmette on the first day I started to work for the old Chicago Daily News on Sunday, Sept. 8, 1968--I recognized that these Chicago kids played with a split lip and a swagger than nobody else had.
I had witnessed high school football in the old South Suburban League--Bloom's 1957 powerhouse, led by Leroy Jackson, left a lasting impression on me; so did Thornton's 1965 team with LaMarr Thomas--and I covered the East St. Louis/Belleville and Kirkwood/Webster Groves Thanksgiving Day rivalries while working for the St. Louis Globe-Democrat.
But Catholic League football was something special. Every game was a rivalry. Tradition oozed from Mount Carmel, Fenwick, St. Rita and Leo. In the 1970s, St. Laurence wanted a part of it. Loyola, Mendel, Gordon Tech and Brother Rice produced dominant teams, too. They were intense and physical. They defined smash-mouth.
I saw it whenever I covered a Catholic League game. Sunday afternoon at Gately Stadium was the grandest experience of all, an electric atmosphere with big crowds and Big 10 officials working the games. If you were there, you know what I mean. If you weren't, trust me, you missed Ohio State/Michigan on a high school stage.
Maybe it's because the kids began playing football at such an early age, in the Parish leagues. If you think college recruiting is a scandal, you should hear the war stories about how 13-year-olds were wooed from one Catholic school to another to another.
I was awed by the legendary coaches who produced great teams and great players. Fenwick's Tony Lawless was gone. But how about a league with Pat Cronin, Tom Kavanagh, Lou Guida, Bob Spoo, Tom Mitchell, Tom Winiecki, Bob Foster and Frank Lenti? You can't make up a cast of characters like that.
And the players...Tim Marshall, Chris Boskey, Paul Glonek, John Foley, Billy Marek, Dennis Lick, Kevin King, Pete Allard, Jim Kozlowski, Kevin Basic, Tony Furjanic, Corey Rogers, Mark Zavagnin.
I know. You've seen great coaches, teams and players in the old Suburban League (Evanston and Murney Lazier) or the DuPage Valley (Wheaton North and Jim Rexilius) or the West Suburban (Hinsdale Central and Harvey Dickinson). Everybody has their favorites. Over the last 50 years, I've witnessed games in all of those suburban conferences.
But it isn't the same. The Catholic League has an edge. Those kids play harder and hit harder. I know you might find it hard to believe. But it's true. I wouldn't say it if I hadn't seen it for myself. A hit in the Catholic League is unlike any other. The game is played at a higher level.
Even today. Sure, the Catholic League isn't what it used to be. Mendel and Weber are gone. Gordon Tech, St. Laurence, Leo and Fenwick aren't what they used to be. It is left for Mount Carmel, Loyola, St. Rita and Providence, which recently joined the club, to carry the flag. The the tradition carries on.
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Don't discount the ESCC, especially Marist. They're sure to be the 'new' CCLB.
No doubt the Catholic league is the hardest hitting league in America.
However you forget to mention, DeLaSalle Meteors.
Players like:
All American/All State -Greg Kordas(LB), Bill Murph(DB/RB), Renaldo Wynn(LB/FB)13years in th NFL and stil playin, Cordeo Gaston(RB)lawless award Winner, that averaged 200 yard a game his Senior year. Jarrod Anderson(RB/DB) Harlon Hill Award winner,Mike Hughes, Jeff Byrk(LB)and Coach Hughes, and Coach John Grannan
and the Entire 1985 Prep Bowl Team.
Just a couple of names from the Institute who helped enrich the Catholic league.
However I will compare Sub-Catholic against Dupage Valley in which its still no comparison.
Gordie Gillespie and Coach Dan Sharp(Joliet Catholic
And Providence, well those names
speak for themselves.
If you played in the Catholic League you gained respect for all other schools in the conference from Mt.Carmel to Leo.
Im sure that Dupage Valley is a qualtiy conference, however it would be best if the Catholic league be discussed in its on league; And thats is the Hardest Hitting League in High School Football.
Catholic Honor
to all my Meteors
"St. John da baptist DeLaSalle"
Pray for Us
Live Jesus in Our Hearts
Forever
Every one has under estimated one team all year.
The meteors from De La Salle in Chicago.
Those kids have been kicking butt and taking names.
Did anyone see the game between De la Salle and Providence?
Providence still does not know how they won that game.
Bill Murph --you had to write that post to include you as one of the all time DLS greats...c'mon dude.....
Kate --
Marist and the ESCC sure to be the new CCLB? Not as long as CCL Blue teams like Providence dismantle top ESCC teams like JCA this year and like Mt. Carmel did to Marist in last year's playoffs.
Marist would not last in the ccl blue they do not play nearly as physical as any team in the blue, they would finish near the bottom year in and year out
Thanks, Taylor.
Compared to the history of CCl Blue Football Marist could not hold the jockstraps of these "GREAT CCL TRADITIONS". Granted they had ONE great season last year, and are off to a great start this year, but a Tradition is not TWO years, so hold off in crowning them a Great CCL Blue. Pat has done a great job with his kids, but I don't think he has grown facial hair yet, Time will Tell, so put down whatever you Marist Redskin's fire water you been drinking and develop your program first.
We all have respect for the tradition of the Catholic League. But hang up your titles and stop resting on your laurels.
How many titles have they won since moving to the 8A format in the two conferences that count (7A and 8A)?
1 for St. Rita.
Lenti won his titles beating up teams that he didn't belong playing. Granted they had some great players but come on.
Retire Mr. Bell. And retire your old thoughts also.
"How many titles have they won since moving to the 8A format in the two conferences that count (7A and 8A)?"
'Good',
When football was 5A and 6A, did 5A 'count'? Because if it did, then what is now 6A also 'counts'. Alot of the teams that would be in 5A in a 6-class system are now in 6A in the 8-class system.
I will agree that MOST teams in 6A and below would struggle against or be embarrassed by several of the 7A or 8A schools.
However, there are a few 6A (and maybe even 5A) schools that would compete at 7A or 8A.
Take this year's Cary-Grove team. They are 12-0, well disciplined and could compete with any school in the state. Their coach is a jerk, but his kids play excellent football.
Same thing with a few other schoolos in the lower classes. Don't be so arrogant and assume that because your school plays in 7A or 8A, they are 'awesome' and the lower schools are weak and don't matter.
Tell cary-Grove they don't matter.
I'll do it. Cary-Grove doesn't matter. You don't play anyone in your two non-conference games to matter. step up. you have a good program. but don't water it down with patsy games.
"Compared to the history of CCl Blue Football Marist could not hold the jockstraps of these "GREAT CCL TRADITIONS". "
Quit living in the past; the fact of the matter is, the "Almighty CCL Blue" has failed to take the crown in class 8A since the league expanded. St. Rita's Class 7A state championship in 06 was a cakewalk that came during a year when Wheaton-Warrenville South played in 8A. While I agree that the CCL Blue has had a storied past, that doesn't mean that it currently is the best conference in the state. I believe we need to give respect where it is due, and until the all-powerful CCL Blue claims an 8A title, the Dupage Valley Conference should be recognized as the best conference in the state of Illinois. However, that's unfortunately not possible on the Southside of Chicago, which is filled with CCL hotheads who reject any notion that they aren't superior to any other team in Illinois; even as Marist has put together one of the finest post-season runs, they continue to not receive any respect from their CCL Blue counterparts, because they play in the weak, pathetic ESCC. Well that weak and pathetic ESCC has 2 teams in the state finals this weekend, while the CCL Blue only has 1. So, to CCL Blue fans, go ahead and keep drilling into your kids' heads that they reign as kings of Illinois football, and maybe some day within the next 10 years, you may be able to finally back that talk up with a legitimate 7A or 8A title.
How'd De LaSalle look against C-G? What about Providence? How'd Marist do against Maine South? What'd WWS do this year?
It's always nice to see the public schools beat the recruiting schools.
It's also pretty ironic that the Catholic schools, who should be setting a Christian example in sportsmanship, are year in and year out the worst sports at the state tournament. I remember watching the Mt. Carmel baseball coach throw his gum at the Chatham Glenwood bench because he lost a game to them in the quarterfinals. Class act.
"It's always nice to see the public schools beat the recruiting schools."
Hey Richard,
this comment of yours shows your ignorance to the 'goings-on' of high school sports. The 6A, 7A and 8A champs are 'recruiting schools'. maine South is in a district where they can recruit players who should be at Maine East or West, Wheaton-Warrenville South has one of the largest recruiting services in the state in its "junior Tigers" pre-high school football program. Cary-Grove, similar.
Nowadays, all successful high school athletic programs recruit their athletes in one way or another. The difference is that the Catholic schools recruit ALL their students, athlete or NOT.
As long as the sac-less IHSA continues to allow all the illegal recruiting by some Catholic AND public schools, it will continue.
No bad feelings, though.. It is what it is!
Congrats to the champs! - good job kids!
Matt thanks for informing me about the Blog, as well as the acknowledgement.
I didnt view myself as one of the Great players in DeLaSalle History and I see some anynomus sackless/D-Kid agrees.(lololol)
However
I believe The Catholic league Blue is a better League. Dupage Valley has good skilled players however I see the Catholic League Blue being more fundamental.
The conferences get stronger respectively each year.
This year its a tie. I was privey of keeping up with the conferences in the state playoff and they both held their own. Next year will be the year to tell.
Its truley up in the air.
Taylor thanks for all that you have done for Illinois High School Sports
Keep up the good work alot of kids are counting on you
Happy Holidays
William Murph