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Joliet Catholic hilltoppers football

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

Team
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
Fin
JC
0
0
6
0
6
MC
0
0
0
13
13

Week #1 vs.Chicago (Mt. Carmel)(1-0)
8/26/2006

 


Joliet Catholic's Cobey Fleener, score the Hilltoppers only touchdown of the day, to put them up 6-0 on a 70 yard reception with 2;30 left in the 3rd quarter. View more photos from this game & others

Turnovers Helped Keep Game Close

Chicago (Soldier Field) - As games go in the opening week, coaches will tell you there is always room for improvement and even Mt. Carmel's Carter Kopach realized that, which would explain why many people feel that this Mt. Carmel team has the leadership to return to the state finals.

"We've got a long way to go", Kopach said about his team's performance and outlook on the season. When asked if the score by JC late in the second was motivation for the team he added "If you don't get motivated by playing JCA, you don't belong on the field."

The first half may have looked like a defensive battle, but Mt. Carmel missed two prime scoring opportunities when they fumble twice on different drives that got them inside the 5 yard line and missed two field goal from under 30 yards out.

"The frustrating part at halftime was we felt like we were in control... We had some penalties & some missed execution, but it was zero zero" said Mt. Carmel head coach Frank Lenti. "When they scored we told [the players], 'we teach you to build character for a lifetime & now is the time to show them what you're made off' ".

All three of the games touchdowns came through the air, as John Ruettiger (QB 6'2 180 jr.) connected with tight end Cobey Fleener (6'6 215 sr.) for a 70 yard strike in the 3rd quarter. Kopach, hit Pat Jarvis (WR 6'4 200 sr.) for a 13 yard TD with 7;30 left in the game. A blocked extra point by Ryan Piechocinski, would help keep the game tied, but Kopach would find his go to guy, Ron Newsome, as he got away from a JC defender and broke down field for a 21 yard touchdown.

Joliet Catholic head coach Dan Sharp "I really appreciate the effort & the toughness our kids put out there today. They played hard today against one of the best football teams you're going to find in the country."

While the Caravan racked up some yards on offense, the Hilltoppers managed to hold them for the most part when it was needed in the red zone. "They're so big and physical. They're going to drag you for a few extra yards, then you're trying to commit more people to the option, but then they've got talent on the edge to throw to and a great quarterback" Sharp said about the Caravan offense. "We just scrapped and did every thing we could, but they're just so talented. They're one of the most talented teams I've seen."

by Vincent Johnson


QB John Ruettiger, show a Caravan defender the way to the ground
.

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Tyler Hudetz, dives for a couple of extra yards in the first half of Saturday's game against Mt. Carmel.

 

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)

School Related Links:
- JCA-Online.org (Official)

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

2003 Schedule

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

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