Loyola, Lincoln-Way East and Mount Carmel were all seriously considered for the preseason No. 1 ranking.
The Caravan, which has the most talented team, got the nod. Loyola just keeps winning, but was too young this season to trust with the top spot in August. The Griffins have the best quarterback in the state in Jonas Williams and a traditionally exceptional defense.
All three teams picked up big wins in Week 1, but two stood out. Mount Carmel knocked off Cincinnati Moeller, a national power, on Saturday in Ohio. The Caravan went for the win at the end on a two-point conversion and pulled it off.
The victory is impressive on its own, but if there was one question about Mount Carmel heading into the season, it was at quarterback. Was senior Emmett Dowling ready to take over?
Dowling answered it quickly. He led the Caravan downfield on the last drive and scrambled and found Quentin Burrell for the game-winning two-point conversion. He was 25-for-43 for 382 yards with four touchdowns, one interception and 64 rushing yards.
So Mount Carmel lived up to the hype in Week 1 and answered our biggest preseason question. But Lincoln-Way East may have outdone the Caravan.
The Griffins completely dominated Maine South in Park Ridge, shutting out the Hawks 40-0. Williams was 17-for-35 for 315 yards with four touchdowns and no interceptions. Washington recruit Blaise LaVista, a Libertyville transfer, made an instant impact. He connected with Williams for six catches, 118 yards and two touchdowns.
It’s unlikely anyone remembers the last time Maine South was shutout and running clocked at home. That’s a dominant statement from a state-championship hungry Lincoln-Way East.
Player of the Year race
It is never too early to monitor the Sun-Times Player of the Year race. Williams, the preseason favorite, sparkled against Maine South.
But there was another major contender with a massive Week 1 performance, Warren running back Aaron Stewart.
The Illinois recruit is the undisputed best running back in the state and was sensational in the Blue Devils’ 43-36 win against Hersey. Stewart had 43 carries for 438 yards. He scored six TDs, including a 76-yarder.
West Suburban Silver depth
Downers Grove North struggled more than expected in a win against Morgan Park on Saturday at Gately Stadium, but it was still an impressive opening week for the West Suburban Silver.
Glenbard West knocked off Batavia on the road. Hinsdale Central dominated a good West Aurora team, and Lyons beat Joliet Catholic on the road. York stumbled in an overtime loss to Glenbrook South.
Five of the seven teams in the conference are currently in the Super 25.
Fox Valley rivalry showdown
Cary-Grove and Prairie Ridge have been perennial state championship contenders, and their annual rivalry matchup is always one of the best games of the season. It’s unusual for it to come in Week 1, but it didn’t change the significance of the matchup.
The Wolves pulled off a 34-21 upset win on the road behind quarterback Luke Vanderwiel’s 242 yards and four TDs.
“[Vanderwiel’s] just got one of those abilities to cut against the grain,” Prairie Ridge coach Mike Frericks said. “It’s running stuff that you can’t teach. We set up the plays and call the plays and then he just kind of reacts and does Luke Vanderwiel things.”
Contributing: Mike Clark