After destroying archrival Providence, 42-0, in their CCL-ESCC Orange opener last Friday, the Hilltoppers set their sites on an invasion, from the high-flying Warriors of Crete-Monee High School.

 

On Friday night, on ATI Field at Joliet Memorial Stadium, JCA will host the 3-1 Warriors, who are the Associated Press’ No.4 ranked school in Class 6A. The Warriors are members of the powerful Southland Conference. Southland Conference member Kankakee (4-0), checks in at No.3 in Class 6A.

 

The Warriors lone loss, was in their opener at Lincoln-Way East (3-1 Class 8A No. 4 , 35-20 on August 27. After demolishing previously-unbeaten Thornwood (3-1, 0-1), 78-18, in their Southland Conference opener last Friday, the Warriors should be sky-high for their visit to the

 

 

The Warriors head coach, John Konecki, is in his ninth season at the helm of the Warriors. Konecki has posted a 65-19 record with Class 6A State Runner-Up honors in 2015 and 2018. Crete Monee took home the 2012 Class 6A State Championship trophy, back to Crete, under then head coach Jerry Verde.

 

 

The 5-10, 160 pound multi-talented junior quarterback, runs the show for the high-flying Warriors, who average 44 points-per-game. Franklin’s favorite target is fellow-junior, wide receiver Lynell Billups. Franklin also leads the Warriors “D” from his cornerback position. Coach Konecki suits up only 35 Warriors each week.

 

 

The Hilltoppers are led by head coach Jake Jaworski. Jaworski, in his fifth year at the helm of the Hilltoppers and has posted a 31-14 record, which includes the 2018 Class 5A State Championship. The 2020 Hilltoppers this spring, went 6-0 for the 12th undefeated season in Hilltopper football history.

 

Joliet Catholic Academy has won an unprecedented 14 IHSA State Football Championships. My heart goes out to the seniors on the 2020 team. Due to Covid, there was no IHSA State Football Tournament in 2020.

I truly believe the 2020 Hilltoppers would have brought home the 15th IHSA State Football Championship to JCA!

 

 

The 2021 Hilltoppers are led by their multi-talented senior quarterback, Aidan Voss. Voss completed four of his nine passes for 87 yards and two touchdowns, in last Friday’s demolition of Providence. Voss can run too! Aidan rushed for 44 yards on five carries and one touchdown.

 

 

Senior wide receiver Jake Fieldman, has picked up right where he left off in the spring, as the other half of the lethal Hilltopper passing combination. Against Providence, Fieldman hauled in three of Voss’ tosses for 61 yards and two touchdowns. The touchdown catches were from 16 and 26 yards out.

 

The hard-running Hilltopper senior halfback, Vinny Iannantone, rushed for a game-high 133 yards on 18 carries and a touchdown. Junior halfback Justin Bonsu, crashed in from six yards out for six, to complete the game scoring.

All-American running back, senior Jordan Anderson, who has been slowed down by a lower-body injury, still rushed for 47 yards on 10 carries and a touchdown.

 

The Hilltoppers defense pitched their first shutout of the season, behind senior linebackers Mike Rouse and Robby Purchase III. 6-foot-2 245 pound senior defensive end Bill Burke, kept the Celtics off the board with his interception in the fourth quarter.

 

 

The game, featuring our No.1 ranked Hilltoppers against a powerful state-ranked foe, from the Far South suburbs!

It does not get any better than that!!!

 

Be there!