2007 Schedule

8/24 7:00 @
Frankfort (Lincoln-Way East)
9/1 1:30 @
Oak Park (Fenwick)
@ Morton HS Stadium
9/7 7:00 @
*Chicago (Mt. Carmel)
@ Gately Stadium Stadium
9/14 7:30 H
*Wilmette (Loyola Academy)
9/21 7:30 @
*Chicago (St. Rita)
9/28 7:30 H
*Chicago (Brother Rice)
10/5 7:30 @
Chicago (Gordon Tech)
@ North Park College
10/12 7:30 H
Kankakee (McNamara)
10/19 7:30 H
River Grove (Guerin)
#### - Enrollment
*Conference Game
Bishop Kaffer Stadium

2007 Team Preview

Size a Big Factor for Celtics

Drew Abernathy (RB 5'11 190 lbs sr.) will be the Celtics main weapon on the ground. He returns as a starter after putting up 570 yards with a 5.5 yard average last season as the number two back.

New Lenox (Providence) - Providence head coach Mark Goglianese summed up what he thought was a key factor in last season’s losses, “Pound for pound we just couldn’t match up with some of the bigger team and they drove the ball and kept us on our heals”.

The Celtics will be looking to remedy that situation, as Providence’s strength this season will be its size upfront. “We’re going to big and strong on our offensive line. That’s going to be our strength this year.” Coglianese said.

On the offensive side of the line the Celtics will see several starters back, including Kevin Maloney 6’4, 215 lbs) & Zack Panfil  (6’3, 250 lbs). They’ll be joined by George Gniadecki (6’3 260 lbs) & junior Patrick Ward (OL 6’7 290 lbs), both who’d seen a lot of action last year. Coglianese said Ward is the biggest guy on the team.

Returning on the defensive side of the ball Paddy O’Connor (DL 6’3 215) with 61 tackles, along with David Togher  (DL 6’1 185 lbs) 45 tackles.  Greg Bennett (LB 5’10 200 lbs) who had 76 tackles will be key at linebacker while the defensive backfield is shored up by returning DB’s Ken Eichorst and Mark Coglianese. Coglianese’s 6 interceptions lead the Celtics last year.

Paddy O'Connell (DL 6'3 215 lbs sr.) returns as a second year starter with 61 tackles as a varsity player.

When it comes to the guys that will be handling the ball the most Drew Abernathy will be getting the call. A strong down hill runner who averaged 5.5 yards a carry while rushing for 570 yards last year.

While Abernathy will be seeing a large number of carries this season, look for tailback Sean Lindbloom, to do some damage to unsuspecting teams. Coglianese said while Lindbloom didn’t see much action last year (53 yards total), the track star made a big impression last spring with his speed on the oval and is most likely the fastest player on the team.

Tom Barry (6’2 180 lbs sr.) will be stepping in at QB this year and looking to connect with WR Hayden Grove (6’2 170 lbs) who steps in the position held by by All-State wideout senior Mike Maher last year.

While head coach Coglianese, wouldn’t make any excuses for last years regular season performance, in which the Celtics went 1-4, he did say it was a tough way to start his career as a varsity head coach.

“Losing coach Sef [Matt Senffner, the state’s winningest high school head coach] was bad enough, but we also lost our offensive coordinator… It took a while to get [our new offense] in place. And by week 6 the kids got a little bit of confidence… and it snowballed form there.” Cognlianese said referring to the Celtics 7 game-winning streak that brought them to the 7A semifinals.

A major goal for Coglianese is keeping the winning tradition at Providence. “We’ve been in the playoffs now 16 years in a row. Last year that was in question. We’re just trying to up the tradition here.”

While Coglianese, knows that the with 8A Runner-up Mt Carmel & 7A State Champs St. Rita, the Chicago Catholic League Blue will be a real challenge for any of the 5 schools in it to win, he feels pretty good about the Celtics chances come playoff time, saying, “If we can get in to the playoffs. We’re pretty confident that we can make a pretty good run at it”.

The Celtics will get a playoff caliber challenge to start the season, as the Celtics first game of the year will be with area rival Lincoln Way East. East won last year in a 15-14 heartbreaker. The Griffins will be bring back running back Dan Cebula for a 3rd year & QB Black Hammond (6’5 225 lbs sr.) who is one of the top QB’s in the state.

by Vincent Johnson

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Related Stories:
-2007 Season Preview
-2006 Week #13 recap
-2005 Week #3 recap
-2004 6A Finals recap
-2004 6A Finals Preview
-2002 Week #12 recap
-2001 Week #7 recap
-2000 Week #3 recap

Photo Archive:
-2006 Week #13
-2006 Week #5
-2005 Week #3
-2004 6A State Finals
-2002 5A State Finals
-2002 Week #12
-2002 Week #4
-2000 5A Finals
-2000 Week #3

Photo Ordering

Team Accomplishments

State Champs
2004 6A, 2002 5A, 2001 6A, 1997 4A, 1996 4A, 1995 4A, 1994 5A, 1991 4A, 1987 4A

Runner up
2000 5A, 1998 5A,

Semifinals
2006 7A, 2004 6A, 2002 5A, 2001 6A, 2000 5A 1998 5A, 1997 4A, 1996 4A, 1995 4A, 1994 5A, 1991 4A, 1987 4A

Conference Champs
Catholic Metro (Red)
2002
Chicago Catholic (Blue)
2001

School Facts

Football Enrollment:
1773.75

Conference:
Chicago Catholic (Blue)

Class:
7A

School Colors:
Green/White

Nickname:
Celtics

Head Coach:
Mark Coglianese

Last Season's Record:
8-5

First Varsity Season:
1968

2006 Schedule

8/25 7:30 H
Frankfort (Lincoln-Way East) 3678.00
9/1 7:30 H
Chicago (Leo) 864.60
9/8 7:30 H
*Chicago (Mt. Carmel) 2442.00
9/16 1:30 @
*Wilmette (Loyola Academy) 2554.20
9/22 7:30 H
*Chicago (St. Rita) 2567.40
9/29 7:30 @
Kankakee (McNamara) 775.50
10/6 7:30 H
*Oak Park (Fenwick) 1907.40
10/13 7:30 @
*Chicago (Brother Rice) 3923.70
10/20 7:30 @
*Chicago (DeLaSalle) 1867.80

2005 Schedule

8/26 7:00 @
Frankfort (Lincoln-Way East) 3442.00
9/3 7:30 @
Chicago (Leo) 999.90
@ St. Laurence
9/10 7:00 @
*Chicago (Mt. Carmel) 2458.50
@ Gately Stadium
9/16 7:30 H
*Wilmette (Loyola Academy) 3403.95
9/23 7:30 @
*Chicago (St. Rita) 2699.40
9/30 7:30 H
Kankakee (McNamara) 760.65
10/9 1:30 @
*Oak Park (Fenwick) 1900.80
@ OP-RF
10/14 7:30 H
*Chicago (Brother Rice) 3798.30
10/21 7:30 H
*Chicago (DeLaSalle) 1897.50