Joliet Catholic
High School

2007 Schedule

8/26 12:00 H
Chicago (Mt. Carmel)
@ Soldier Field
8/31 7:30 H
Morris
@ Joliet Memorial Stadium
9/7 7:30 H
*Chicago (St. Patrick)
@ Joliet Memorial Stadium
9/14 7:30 @
*Chicago (Marist)
9/21 7:30 H
*Lisle (Benet Academy)
@ Joliet Memorial Stadium
9/28 7:30 @
*Chicago Heights (Marian Catholic)
10/5 7:30 H
*Niles (Notre Dame)
@ Joliet Memorial Stadium
10/13 1:30 @
*Westchester (St. Joseph)
10/19 7:30 H
*Mundelein (Carmel)
@ Joliet Memorial Stadium
### enrollment
Joliet Memorial Stadium

Week #9 vs.Mundelein (Carmel)(9-0)
10/24/03

Photos to follow

Finished Business

Mudelein (Carmel HS) - At Carmel's field there is a banner hanging from the press box which reads "Unfinished Business". While it wasn't a direct reference to beating Joliet Catholic, even Carmel head coach Andy Bitto couldn't say that wasn't a part of it, after the Corsairs 41-14 victory of the Hilltoppers Friday night.

"It's our theme this year. In reference at how close we've come the last two years" coach Bitto said. "They're a really good team and going undefeated in the regular season & winning a state championship is our goal. So beating teams like Joliet & Marian Catholic is part of our goal"

Early on things didn't seem as rosey as the 41-14 score would suggest though. The Corsairs came out looking a little groggy and with a steady downpour they were forced to play more of a running game before passing the ball later on.

Joliet Catholic scored first on a Bill McKeon (so. QB 5'10 170) 19 yard run with just under 5 minutes left in the first quarter. This after JC stopped Carmel and forced them to punt on their first possession.

Carmel's Mark Venegoni (sr. QB 6'2 205) most likely not wanting to be shown up by a sophomore, slipped through the JC defense for a 37 yard run to even up the game at seven a piece two minutes in to the 2nd quarter.

The key to the Corsairs victory in this game was really their play on fourth down. They came up big twice on defense. Stopping JC on 4th & 2 at the Carmel 27. Then once again on a fake punt at mid field. Both would result in Carmel touchdowns.

Carmel's second TD came on the very first play after the stopping JC on 4th & 2. Darren Davis (jr. RB 6' 199) sped past the JC defenders for a 76 yard run. The drive that would ensue after the blocked punt would also lead to a Corsairs score. As Venegoni would connect with James Looby (sr. DB 5'10 153) on a faked field goal attempt with 3 seconds left in the half, putting them up 21-7 at the half and giving them the only lead they'd need.

Venegoni would connect with Chris Miller (sr. TE 6'3 190) for his second TD pass of the night. Jon Popovitch (sr. FB 5'9 180) & Steve Hironimus (jr. RB 5'10 160) would both add rushing TDs as well.

JC would get it's other score from a 1 yard plunge by McKeon, midway through the 3rd, but failed to get in the redzone again.

JC's woes continued at QB as McKeon would leave the game in the fourth after being laid out on a hit that caused him to fumble and be walked off the field. Sophomore Luke Musselman stepped in to finish the game for the Hilltoppers, who should have their first string QB Brad Bourg back next week for the first round of the playoffs.

by Vincent Johnson

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Related Stories:
-2006 Week #1 recap
-2005 Week #12 recap
-2005 Varsity Roster
-2005 team Preview
-Hill to play Mt. Carmel Again
-2004 5A Finals Preview
-2003 5A Finals Preview
-2003 Week #13 recap
-2003 Week #12 recap
-2003 Varsity Roster

Story Archieves

Photo Archive:
-2006 Week #1
-2005 Week #12
-2005 Week #7
-2004 5A State Finals
-2003 5A State Finals
-2003 Week #13
-2003 Week #12
-2003 Week #9

-More Photo Archieves

Photo Ordering

Team Accomplishments

State Champs
2018 5A, 2007 6A, 2004 5A, 2003 5A, 2001 5A, 2000 4A, 1999 4A, 1990 4A, 1987 5A, 1981 5A, 1978 4A, 1977 4A, 1976 4A, 1975 4A

Runner up
2011 5A, 2009 5A, 1996 5A , 1992 5A

Semifinals
2018 5A, 2007 6A, 2009 5A, 2011 5A, 2012 5A, 2004 5A, 2003 5A, 2001 5A, 2000 4A, 1999 4A, 1996 5A, 1992 5A, 1991 5A, 1990 4A, 1987 5A, 1984 5A, 1981 5A, 1978 4A, 1977 4A, 1976 4A, 1975 4A

Prep Bowl Champs
1979 Runner-up
1998 Runner-up

Conference Champs
CCL/ESCC (White)
2019
East Suburban Catholic
2015*, 2013, 2009, 2008, 2006*, 2005, 2004
Catholic Metro (White)
2001, 2000
-Past Confernce Champs

*co-champs

School Facts

Enrollment:
1504.80

Conference:
East Suburban Catholic

Class:
6A

Colors:
Brown/Gold/White

Nickname:
Hilltoppers

Head Coach:
Dan Sharp

Last Season's Record:
6-4

First Varsity Season:
1920

Past Player Watch
-Josh Fergusin (2011)
-Coby Fleener (2007)
-Mike Goolsby (2000)
-Mike Alstott (1992)
-Tom Thayer (1979)
-Dan "Rudy" Ruttiger (1969)

2006 Schedule

8/26 12:00 @
Chicago (Mt. Carmel) 2442.00
@ Soldier Field
9/1 7:30 @
Morris 1015.00
9/9 8:00 @
*Chicago (St. Patrick) 3349.50
@ Hanson Stadium Stadium
9/15 7:30 H
*Chicago (Marist) 3017.85
@ Joliet Memorial Stadium
9/22 7:30 @
*Lisle (Benet Academy) 2149.95
@ Benedictine University
9/29 7:30 H
*Chicago Heights (Marian Catholic) 2697.75
@ Joliet Memorial Stadium
10/6 7:30 @
*Niles (Notre Dame) 2498.10
10/13 7:30 H
*Westchester (St. Joseph) 1288.65
@ Joliet Memorial Stadium
10/20 7:30 @
*Mundelein (Carmel) 2285.25

2005 Schedule

8/26 7:30 @
*Chicago (Marist) 3135.00
9/2 7:30 H
*Lisle (Benet Academy) 2145.00
@ Joliet Memorial
9/9 7:30 @
*Chicago Heights (Marian Catholic) 2765.40
9/16 7:30 H
*Niles (Notre Dame) 2570.70
@ Joliet Memorial
9/23 7:30 H
*Westchester (St. Joseph) 1232.55
@ Joliet Memorial
9/30 7:30 @
*Mundelein (Carmel) 2328.15
10/7 7:30 H
*Arlington Heights (St. Viator) 1742.40
@ Joliet Memorial
10/15 7:00 @
*Chicago (St. Patrick) 3372.60
@ Hanson Stadium
10/21 7:30 H
*LaGrange Park (Nazareth Academy) 1265.55
@ Joliet Memorial

2004 Schedule

8/28 1:30 @ *
LaGrange Park (Nazareth Academy) 763
9/3 7:30 @ *
Arlington
Heights (St. Viator) 1030
@ Forest View
9/10 7:30 H *
Chicago (St. Patrick) 1980
@ Joliet Stadium
9/17 7:30 H *
Chicago (Marist) 0
@ Joliet Stadium
9/25 1:30 @ *
Lisle (Benet Academy) 1294
10/1 7:30 H *
Chicago Heights (Marian Catholic) 1653
@ Joliet Stadium
10/8 7:30 @ *
Niles (Notre Dame) 1566
10/16 1:30 @ *
Westchester (St. Joseph) 0
10/22 7:30 H *
Mundelein (Carmel) 1351
@ Joliet Stadium

8/29 7:30 H *
LaGrange Park (Nazareth Academy) 776
@ Joliet Stadium
9/5 7:30 H *
Arlington Heights (St. Viator) 1004
@ Joliet Stadium
9/12 8:00 @ *
Chicago (St. Patrick) 1910
@ Hanson
9/19 7:30 @ *
Chicago (Marist) 2057
9/26 7:30 H *
Lisle (Benet Academy) 1288
@ Joliet Stadium
10/3 7:30 @ *
Chicago Heights (Marian) 1664
10/10 7:30 H *
Niles (Notre Dame) 1536
@ Joliet Stadium
10/17 7:30 H *
Westchester (St. Joseph) 1008
@ Joliet Stadium
10/24 7:30 @ *
Mundelein (Carmel) 1346

2002 Schedule

8/30 7:30 H
Oak Park (Fenwick) 1138
9/7 1:30 @
Wilmette (Loyola) 2057
9/13 7:30 @ *
Arlington Heights (St. Viator) 999
9/20 7:30 H *
New Lenox (Providence) 1149
9/27 7:00 H
Kansas City (Rockhurst), MO 2817
10/4 7:30 @ *
Kankakee (McNamara) 421
10/12 7:00 @ *
Chicago (Leo) 584
@ Gateley Stadium
10/18 7:30 H *
River Grove (Holy Cross) 994
10/25 7:30 H *
Chicago (Hales Franciscan) 586