No. 8 Brother Rice will lean on Illinois recruit King Liggins’ leadership and CJ Gray’s experience

Brother Rice defensive end King Liggins has always been a leader. Even before he was a dominant football player. Crusaders coach Casey Quedenfeld says the Illinois recruit has been an important voice on every team he’s played with.

“It probably comes from my love for the game and seeing my dad in his work,” Liggins said. “I just want to be a leader and see my teammates do the best in everything they do. That’s what motivates me.”

Brother Rice, No. 8 in the preseason Super 25, has the talent and experience to be one of the state’s best teams. But that was the case last year as well. The Crusaders lost to Marist, Loyola, St. Rita and Fenwick by seven points or fewer.

“We have to come back stronger and we have to close out every game,” Liggins said.

Leadership and other intangibles will play a major role in turning things around for the Crusaders, who finished 6-4 and lost to the Friars in the first round of the Class 7A playoffs last season.

This is year four for Quedenfeld, so the team is made up entirely of his guys. That is usually a positive for team chemistry.

Brother Rice is the only team in the CCL/ESCC Blue that returns its starting quarterback. CJ Gray, a 6-0, 195-pound senior, has committed to Army.

“We did a deep dive on Brother Rice quarterbacks that played as juniors,” Quedenfeld said. “CJ has done well in comparison to some of the past guys. And now he knows how to go into a game, what to look for in a game and how to block things out. There are a lot of plays he wished he could have back. He’s excited to tackle that. He’s a great kid and he’s ready to go.”

Offensive linemen Maatthew Pikus (6-2, 280) and QwaMaine Spivery (6-1, 340) return along with tight end Colin Goggin and running backs Jaylin Green and Jameson Davis.

The offensive line should be a strength. Seniors Joe Siegler (6-0, 265) and AJ Parochelli (6-1, 280) and junior Tyler Frazier (6-1, 330) will step up after gaining experience last season.

Keep an eye on two highly-regarded sophomores, 6-5 tight end Jack McNamara and 6-3 athlete Kameron McGee.

But the backbone of Brother Rice’s team is run defense. The Crusaders allowed only four rushing touchdowns last season.
“You give your team a chance if you can stop the run,” Quedenfeld said. “We gave ourselves a chance. We just weren’t experienced enough to finish games.”

Junior Brayden Parks returns on the defensive line with Liggins. Linebacker Charlie Barkmeier, corner Emeir White (South Dakota State) and safety JaVeyon Lockett are also back for the Crusaders.

“The last couple years have had their ups and downs,” Quedenfeld said. “We haven’t met our expectations and our players and coaches know that, but there’s something a bit different about this locker room.”