Joliet Catholic Academy vs. Marengo
Friday, October 29, 2021
7 p.m. Kickoff; Joliet Memorial Stadium

Online Tickets $5 >> https://gofan.co/app/school/IL86547
*Per IHSA rules for playoff contests, all tickets must be purchased online. Students must also purchase tickets. JCA will be moving all online tickets sales for football and additional sports to the IHSA’s GoFan ticketing platform.

Online Streaming (NFHS) >> https://www.nfhsnetwork.com/events/joliet-catholic-academy-joliet-il/gam629dc5d38b
*Per IHSA playoff guidelines, all playoff games must be streamed through NFHS, which is a subscription based service. 

Game Preview:

Drake Skleba for Joliet Catholic Academy 

On Saturday night, the IHSA released their pairings for the 2021 IHSA State Football Championship Tournament. Joliet Catholic Academy (9-0) was rewarded with the No.1 seed in Class 4A. The Hilltoppers garnered the No. 1 spot in the final 2021 Associated Press’ Illinois Class 4A State Football Rankings. 

On Friday night at 7 p.m., the Hilltoppers will host the No.32-seeded Indians of Marengo High School (5-4) at Memorial Stadium in Joliet.

The Indians are led by their 6-foot-4, 185 pound junior quarterback Josh Holst. 

Holst has completed 136 of his 225 passes for 1,872 yards and 22 touchdowns and seven interceptions. Seniors, Colin Aubry, Dylan Stolz, Exzavier Meyer and junior Greg Baker are Holst’s favorite targets, 

Stolz, along with Holst,  handles the Indians ground game. 

The Indians finished third in the Kishwaukee River/Interstate Eight/Blue conference The Indians fell 40-24 to unbeaten and second-seeded in Class 4A Richmond-Burton (9-0),  the Kishwaukee River/Interstate 8 Blue champion. Rochelle (7-2) defeated the Indians 41-32. 

Kishwaukee River/Interstate 8 White champion Morris (9-0), beat the Indians 42-0 on September 24 in Morris.

The Indians average 26.8 points-per-game and they allow 24.4 p.p.g. 

Joliet Catholic Academy 

The Hilltoppers (9-0) won the Chicago Catholic League-East Suburban Catholic Conference Orange title and are averaging 44 points-per-game and allowing 19 p.p.g. 

“The Hogs”  It all starts up front with our “Hogs” 

Offensive line 

T SR. Lucas Sartori   6-foot-4   335 pounds

G SR Anthony Birsa  6-foor-4  265 pounds

C SR Niko Paolini     6-foot-2    295 pounds

G SR Paul Ragusa   6-foot-0    215 pounds 

T SR Josh Jones      6-foot-2    290 pounds

Leading the Hilltopper offense, is the multi-talented senior quarterback, Aidan Voss. Voss has thrown for 790 yards and ten touchdown passes. Voss has run for 290 yards and four touchdowns. 

Voss to Fieldman 

Voss’ favorite receiver is senior, Jake Fieldman, who has caught 21 passes for 532 yards and eight touchdowns. 

“The Deadly Duo”

Senior running backs Vinny Iannantone and Jordan Anderson, have combined for 2,172 yards and 31 rushing touchdowns. 

Iannantone has rumbled for 1,384 yards with 14 touchdowns. 

Anderson has rushed for 788 yards with 17 touchdowns. Voss has also found Anderson for a pair of touchdown strikes, too. 

Senior fullback Ryan Louthan has over 400 yards of total offense for “The Hill”, with two touchdowns. 

Hilltopper anti-“air game” gunners

All-State Malachi Hood, Ian Williams, Tajhaun McClellan and Charlie O’Neill, will lead the Hilltopper secondary against “Air Holst”, on Friday night.

All-State Linebacker “King Michael” Rouse, looks to meet Holst, in search of quarterback sacks. Junior defensive end Jeremy Johnson, hopes to have Holst, running for his life in the Indians backfield. 

CCL/ESCC All-Conference Team and Awards

Congratulations to the following Hilltoppers who earned CCL/ESCC recognition:

Orange Division Gillespie Coach of the Year: Jake Jaworski

Orange Division Gillespie Most Valuable Player: Vinny Iannantone

Orange Division Offensive Most Valuable Player: Aidan Voss

Orange Division Lineman of the Year: Josh Jones

CCL/ESCC All-Conference Nominees
Vinny Iannantone – RB
Aidan Voss – QB
Josh Jones – OL
Jordan Anderson – RB
Jake Fieldman – WR
Michael Rouse – LB
Robby Purchase III – LB
Tajuan McClellan – DB

PLAYOFF HISTORY 

JOLIET CATHOLIC ACADEMY 
41st appearance, two consecutive; 114-26; 14 state championships; 4 state championship runner-ups.

MARENGO

12th appearance, two consecutive, 16-11; 1 state championship runner-up 

“The Drive for 15”

Begins Friday night at 7!