By Steve Spiewak
MaxPreps.com
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St. Rita Upsets Mount Carmel
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St. Rita, the No. 42-ranked team nationally by MaxPreps, stunned No. 11 Mt. Carmel Friday night, 7-6, ending Mount Carmel's hopes of an undefeated season.
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The longtime rivals were locked in a low-scoring, defensive battle for over three quarters. Mount Carmel drew first blood early in the fourth quarter, when Carter Kopach skirted the Mustang defense, scoring on a seven-yard touchdown run. Mount Carmel kicker Scott Sarason was unable to convert on the extra-point attempt.
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With under four minutes remaining, St. Rita quarterback Peter Balsam pounded in the game-tying score from three yards out. The Mustangs converted the point-after kick to cement the victory.
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St. Rita received big contributions all night long on the defensive side of the ball from 6-8 lineman Matt Conrath and junior Darius Fleming.ÿÿ
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As the game ended, St. Rita fans, making up a majority of the crowd of 8,000 in attendance, stormed the field in celebration. Each team now has one loss and could meet again in the state playoffs.
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Lincoln-Way East Stays Undefeated
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After a series of narrow escapes in recent weeks, Lincoln-Way East got a much-needed decisive victory over Carl Sandburg High School, cruising to a 35-0 win.
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Two weeks ago, Lincoln-Way East survived a scare from Bolingbrook, edging the Red Raiders 22-14. The Griffins dodged several bullets in that game, most noticeably getting a break when Bolingbrook running back Dale Martin lost his helmet at the start of a long run.
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Last week, Lincoln-Way East nearly fell to local rival Lincoln-Way Central, winning by a score of 17-15.ÿ
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The victory over Sandburg was a welcome change for the defending 8A state champions, as they look forward to the playoffs and a possible showdown with undefeated Wheaton Warrenville South and punishing running back Dan Dierking.
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New Trier Wins in Triple Overtime
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Sometimes, rivalry games aren't all they are hyped up to be. Other times, they exceed all expectations.
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New Trier edged Glenbrook South, 46-45, in three overtimes in front of a large crowd in Northfield.ÿ
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Richard Spellman led New Trier with four touchdowns, including a five-yard score and subsequent two-point conversion to send the game into overtime.
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Glenbrook South scored first in the third overtime, but missed the extra point, allowing New Trier to come back and end the marathon game.
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Prairie Central Victorious
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The Corn Belt Conference is proof that great high school football takes place all over Illinois, including places far from Chicago.
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Friday, Prairie Central defeated Bloomington Central Catholic, 17-13, in front of over 1,000 fans to secure the Corn Belt title.
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With 2:53 left in the fourth, Prairie Central completed a 65-yard screen pass to Phillip Short to give them the lead, 17-13.
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Central Catholic's last chance was stopped short by Prairie Central linebacker J.T. Zimmerman, who picked off a pass by Kyle Humbman to secure the victory.
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"They beat us last year twice, including once in the playoffs.ÿ This was for the Corn Belt championship, so it meant a lot," Zimmerman said.
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Prairie Central is now 8-0.
