Chicago Public League Sports Blog

St. Patrick's Invite Preview

 

Starting line at last year's frosh-soph race at the St. Patrick's Invite.

St. Patrick Invite Preview

Sep 2, 2009
Schiller Woods, Chicago, IL

 

Expected Teams
St. Patrick
Fenwick (B team?)
Lane Tech (partial varsity team)

Northside Prep
Northridge
Mather
St.Ignatius
Guerin Prep
Gordon Tech
Whitney Young
Marian Catholic
Ridgewood
Notre Dame

Expected Top Varsity Individuals

Kulayfi Haji (sr) – Lane Tech
Charlie Mesimore (jr) – Nortlhside Prep
Cuit Pineda (sr) – Northside Prep
Victor Terrazas (sr) – Lane Tech
Abe Haji (so) – Mather
Jack Cross (jr) - St. Ignatius
Jimmy Connelly (sr)- St. Ignatius
Julian Deville (jr) (?) - Whitney Young
John Caravia (jr) - Ridgewood
Bana Negash (so) – Mather
Wesley Laytham (jr) – Northside Prep
Cooper Eben (sr) – Northside Prep

2008 St. Patrick Invite Results



We will get a good first look of teams in the first major invite for most of the teams involved. The meet is always held on a weekday. It will be held on the first Wednesday of September at Schiller Woods in Chicago.

In last years race Mather took the top 2 spots with seniors Ivan Coronel and Omar Caban. But Northside Prep took 5 of the next 7 spots as Northside won the meet with an astounding 30 points to Mather's 54 and 3rd place St. Ignatius's 106 points.

This year, Northside returns four of it's top 5 runners (Cuit Pineda (sr), Charlie Mesimore (jr), Wesley Laytham (jr), and Cooper Eben (sr), so it should be another cakewalk for Northside right? Wrong. Lane Tech is a surprised addition to this meet. Because of the ACT testing on Lane's first meet (Wauconda Invite), several members of Lane's team could not run at Wauconda. So instead of missing a meet on that first date, Lane will run those runners at the earlier St. Patricks Invite. See ACT Shakeup.

Running for Lane will be #1 runner Kulayfi Haji (sr), #2 runner Victor Terrazas (sr), and varsity runners Nathan Wade-Scott (sr) and James Wiatr (sr). Expect Haji, a 4:24 miler and top CPS cross country returnee to be the favorite to win the race. Terrazas should finish in the top 4.

Other runners in the front pack will likely be Cuit Pineda (sr) and Charlie Mesimore (jr) of Northside Prep, Abe Haji (so) of Mather, Jack Cross (sr) of St. Ignatius.

Pictures Now - Simeon vs Mount Carmel and Morgan Park vs Brother Rice

Soldier Field High School Kick off Classic - 2009 Photo Album  (Simeon vs Mount Carmel and Morgan Park vs Brother Rice)

Below are just some of the pics from the photo album:

Daron Brown of Morgan Park- one of the top CPS athletes- led Morgan Park to a 32-10 thumping of Brother Rice - one of the worse defeats of a Catholic League team vs a CPS team in years.

D1 college prospect Jazzario Barrios of Morgan Park.


Simeon put up 27 points against the vaunted Mt. Carmel defense.



Simeon Cheerleaders.

Pictures Now: Lane Tech vs DeLaSalle at the Soldier Field High School Kickoff Classic

Flickr Photo Album - Lane Tech vs DeLaSalle

Below are just some of the pictures from the album.

 

Miquel Olivio of Lane Tech

Big James Casselburry (#79) led DeLaSalle upfront in DeLaSalles 28-7 win over Lane.


Lane Fans cheering their favorite Indian

 

Morgan Park Blasts Brother Rice 32-10

Dontres Spears of Morgan Park carries the ball against Brother Rice.

After last year's 24-20 loss, Morgan Park, knew they could play with Brother Rice from the Chicago Catholic League. But after beating Brother Rice 32-10 in the Soldier Field High School Kickoff Classic, Morgan Park felt so confident that Morgan Park QB Daron Brown proclaimed:

"It sends a signal to the state. State Champions."

Daron Brown, the senior Morgan Park quarterback, and primary ball carrier had much to be confident about. Brown scored 4 touchdowns (all under 5 yards) in what High School Sports Night called the upset of the week so far. But to Morgan Park, this was not an upset. Few forget that only a few years ago, Morgan Park beat Mt. Carmel.

For offense, Morgan Park used a punishing ground game led by Daron Brown. But Brown, who is being looked at by college scouts as a wide receiver, used his arm several times to promising sophomore receiver DeShawn Hurley.

Defensively, Morgan Park looks to be the tops in the CPS. Their defensive back and safety squads led by Robert Raya (jr), DI prospect Brian Jones (sr), and Christopher Dalton (6'2; 180lbs, jr) are all fast great tacklers, and suberb coverage guys. All three shut down the Brother Rice passing game and used their speed to prevent runenrs from going outside all night. They shut down the Brother Rice offense and helped Morgan Park to a commanding 25-3 halftime lead.

These Morgan Park fans had plenty to cheer about.

Simeon Offense Looks Good in 53-27 Loss to State Ranked Mt. Carmel

Corey Evans (5'8; 165lb, RB; jr) from Simeon evades some Mt. Carmel defenders.

A few days ago, some people doubted me when I said in a blog post "Simeon is not your run of the mill CPS team...some may be surprised at the end result." When I mentioned that in the EdgyTim message board, some people Mt Carmel die hards called me crazy, they thought it would end up more like 50-0.

However, Simeon did surprise almost everyone in Simeon's 53-27 loss to football giant Mt. Carmel. Simeon displayed an amazing amount of offensive firepower while scoring 27 points against Mt. Carmel's FIRST STRING offense.

Horatio Banks of Simeon (5-9, 165lb, RB) could be the best back in the city

Junior running back Haratio Banks is the real deal. He ran wild vs the vaunted Mt. Carmel defense, running several long gains. His performance today, made me believe that he is likely one of the best running backs in the city. I'll put him right up there with passing and running threat Daron Brown of Morgan Park.

But Simeon's offense is much more than just Banks. Simeon starting quarterback Robert Gregory (6-3; 180lb, so) showed some great promise today. Gregory is a transfer from Hales Franciscan. He threw two touchdown passes to senior WR Jasper Golden (sr, WR; 6'3"; 170lbs) and Gregory showed great athleticism and a good arm. I am not ready yet to annoint Gregory as the next great CPS QB, but he did open my eyes a bit. He has the athleticism and size at 6-3, 180lbs to grow and develop into much more.

Here are a few quotes I heard from fans as they watched the game:

"Simeon is the best team in the CPS."
"Simeon is GOOOOD!"
"Simeon is going to win city."
"Mt. Carmel is not going to win the Catholic League this year."
"Simeon will beat Lane and go undefeated in conference this year."

After watching Simeon's performance against Mt. Carmel, many of the above quotes may end up not too far from the truth.

Knocked Down - DeLaSalle 28 Lane 7

DeLaSalle's Josh Lisenby (right- 6'3" 235, jr, DL) knocks down Lane Tech's Laken Tomlinson (sr; 6'5" 305lbs, OL).

There are losses and then there are LOSSES. This 28-7 drubbing of Lane by DeLaSalle in game 1 of the Soldier Field High School Kickoff Classic was a LOSS.

Lane came into the game with high hopes. After all they are the defending city champs and returned a senior laden veteran squad led by hyped up DI players Laken Tomlinson (Duke signee) and Louis Pasat-Trinca (Iowa signee). Many felt, myself included, that because of the returnees and the momentum they had from last year's city championship, that this could be the makings of a special season. It still could be, but after Lane's game 1 performance over DeLaSalle, reality may have just hit them in the face.

The game started out well for Lane by holding DeLaSalle to a quick 3 and out on the first possession. But in DeLaSalle's next first quarter possession DeLaSalle QB Juwan Martin (5-8, 175lb, jr) scored a 63 yard touchdown run that gave DeLaSalle a 7-0 lead.

This Lane Tech cheerleader did not have much to cheer about all day.

Lane had a chance to score in the first quarter when they had the ball on first and 10 on DeLaSalles 15 yard line, but a holding penalty and some stiff DeLaSalle defense prevented Lane from scoring.

After that it was pretty much all DeLaSalle.  Senior RB, Mark Kasper (5'7" 195lbs) scored on a 16 yard TD run to give DeLaSalle a 14-0 lead. DeLaSalle eventually led 28-0 and bottled up the Lane QB Jake Pieruccini (6'0, 170lbs, sr) and Lane running backs Thaddeus Scott and Fredrick Williams all day. Lane only had a few first downs the entire game. Lane did manage to score on a touchdown catch by Tyler Jones in the 4th quarter.

Simeon vs Mt. Carmel and Morgan Park vs Brother Rice coverage coming soon...

Tyler Jones of Lane Tech Touchdown Catch

New Northside Prep Cross Country School Store

I added a new Northside Prep Cross Country Store to the CPSfan.com school store page.

Perkins to lead Harlan's First Year Cross Country Program

Vincent Perkins (sr) of Harlan

After a breakout track season, Harlan is starting a cross country this fall. Look out for seniors Vincent Perkins and Aaron Ingram. Both played a big role in Harlan's 3rd place city finish at the boys varsity level.

Vincent Perkins and Aaron Ingram of Harlan has been two of the most consistent runners for Harlan in training this summer. They are both training hard to have a good cross country season. Coach Thompson feels that both runners can be all-state in the 800 meter run in spring of 2010 for track. This is their first season running cross country, so we do not know yet how good either one will be. We do know that Vincent Perkins showed incredible improvement in 2008 track. He went from being an unknown and running times like 2:12 at the start of the season to making it to the class AA finals in the 800 with a time of 1:59.03.

I'm predicting that both Perkins will run about 16:20 for 3 miles in their first season of cross country this year. That should be good enough for a top 15-20 finish at the city meet.

Ingram will be at about 16:30-16:40 by city.

Not bad for two first time cross country runners.

Teamwise, Harlan will definitely be behind class AAA  schools Mather, Lane, Northside, and Whitney Young.

But look for Harlan to push class AA schools like Kenwood, Lake View, and Jones.

Lane Tech Cross Country School Store Added to CPS School Stores Page

 The Lane Tech Cross Country Store has been added to the CPSfan school store page.

Week 1 CPS Football Schedule - Hopes Always High on First Day!

To me there is nothing more exciting than opening weekend of the high school football season. Traditionally, the large CPS football programs play teams outside of the conference and experience life outside of the CPS. You will see teams play against each other that you normally do not see if ever. Come on, how often do you see city teams play some of these opponents in football or for that manner in any sport.

Neilski's Most intriguing Week 1 Matchups
Dunbar at Plainfield South - these two teams have never met in any sport; talk about a culture shock.

Perspectives Calumet at Lakes - a small city school traveling to the boondocks of rural Lake County. Come on how many CPS fans even know where Lakes High School is located?

Schurz at Maine East - this is a winnable game for the Bulldogs of Schurz.

Harper vs. Detroit Osborne at Wayne State U., TBA - I'm not a fan of Illinois schools traveling out of state for games, but this will be a great experience for the Harper kids. (Update: this game has been canceled).

Brother Rice vs. Morgan Park at Soldier Field, - The CPS game of the week. Can Morgan Park pull of a shocker against Brother Rice from the Catholic League Blue the toughest conference in the state? It was only a couple years ago that Morgan Park beat Mt. Carmel, so it can be done.

De La Salle vs Lane at Soldier Field - City champs Lane Tech face off versus D as people call them from the Catholic League.

Manley at Geneseo - Manley from the west side travels to traditional football power Geneseo from the Western Illinois.

Week 1 Schedule

Friday August 28, 2009

ACT Charter vs. Noble Street at Lane, 7
Bogan at Tinley Park, 7
Bowen vs. Chicago Academy, 3:30
Brother Rice vs. Morgan Park at Soldier Field, 8
De La Salle vs. Lane at Soldier Field, 2:30
Dunbar at Plainfield South, 7
Dyett at Rolling Meadows, 7
Hirsch vs. Harlan at Gately, 3:30
Hope at Lemont
Hubbard at South Bend (Ind.) Adams, 6
Kelvyn Park vs. Prosser at Hanson, 7
Kenwood vs. Curie at Rockne, 3:30
King vs. Hyde Park at Gately, 7
Lincoln Park vs. Douglass at Hanson, 3:30
Manley at Geneseo, 7:45
Mt. Carmel vs. Simeon at Soldier Field, 5:15
Orr at Oak Forest, 7
Perspectives Calumet at Lakes
Rauner vs. Payton at Lane, 3:30
Schurz at Maine East
Steinmetz vs. Mather at Winnemac, 3:30
Sullivan at Notre Dame
Englewood vs. Phillips at Stagg, 3:30
Vocational at Marist
Young vs. South Shore at Eckersall, TBA

SATURDAY, AUGUST 29

Non-conference
Ag. Science vs. Lake View at Lane, 3:30
Argo vs. Fenger at Gately, 7
Austin vs. Uplift at Winnemac, 11:30
Bronzeville vs. Brooks at Gately, 11:30
Carver vs. Marine Academy at Hanson, 11:30
Clark at Nazareth, 1:30
Gage Park vs. Crane at Rockne, 3
Harper vs. Detroit Osborne at Wayne State U., TBA
Juarez vs. Kennedy at Stagg, 11:30
Lindblom vs. North Lawndale at Lane, 7
Little Village vs. Tilden at Eckersall, 11:30
Marshall vs. Raby at Hanson, 7
Phoenix at LaPorte (Ind.), 2
Pritzker vs. Roosevelt at Lane, 11:30
Rickover vs. Foreman at Hanson, 3
Senn vs. Farragut at Rockne, 11:30
Taft vs. Kelly at Stagg, 3
Urban Prep Charter vs. Amundsen at Winnemac, 3

SUNDAY, AUGUST 30

Robeson vs. Julian at Gately, 5
Washington vs. Clemente at Hanson, 1
Wells vs. Collins at Hanson, 5