With six weeks of regular season football behind us, October is a pivotal month in the sport. Conference titles and playoff positions will be decided, paving the way for the postseason. More teams than ever will battle for a spot. Week 6 has stirred excitement about how the rest of the season will play out. Notably, several key Catholic League games have reshaped perceptions of playoff contenders. Additionally, anticipation is building for a major showdown in the South Suburban Red division.
Biggest Crosstown Battle for Oak Lawn
Excitement is mounting in Oak Lawn, where the Spartans have an opportunity to prove they’re a competitive team, not just a surprising success story. On Friday night, Oak Lawn barely escaped defeat against Evergreen Park. Trailing 14-6 in the fourth quarter, junior quarterback Danny Strelow amassed 162 rushing yards and two touchdowns. Senior running back Jayden Schlosser added 111 yards and a touchdown, leading the Spartans to a 21-14 victory in overtime.
The biggest test for the Spartans is on Friday night against Richards. Both teams being from the same town adds to the rivalry, though historically Oak Lawn hasn’t been competitive enough to make it an even fight. The past 30 years have seen Richards dominate the match-up 28-1, with Oak Lawn’s only win in 2008. Last season, Oak Lawn entered the game undefeated, but Richards decisively won, 59-29.
This year, Oak Lawn appears more competitive. Richards, holding a 4-2 record, has improved weekly with four consecutive wins. Senior quarterback Eric Jacobs has been versatile, contributing touchdowns through passing, rushing, and kickoff returns in their 35-6 triumph over Eisenhower. The renewal of an intense crosstown rivalry generates excitement. I’ll be attending, and my game predictions will soon feature in the Daily Southtown’s must-watch games of the week.
Oak Lawn’s Danny Strelow (27) dives into the end zone for a touchdown in overtime against Evergreen Park during a South Suburban Red game in Evergreen Park. (Vincent D. Johnson / Daily Southtown)
Providence and St. Rita Overcome Defending Champions
Both the Celtics and Mustangs secured significant victories on Friday. Providence, now 5-1, narrowly defeated Fenwick, the reigning Class 6A champion, 28-21. Junior quarterback Dominic Vita rebounded from a challenging Week 5 outing against Nazareth, throwing a touchdown pass to DeAngelo Coates and scoring a rushing touchdown. This win helps stabilize the Celtics amidst recent challenges, maintaining their title hopes in Class 5A despite facing a formidable Mount Carmel team next.
St. Rita, enduring a challenging schedule, has alternated wins and losses weekly. Their unexpected 42-16 loss to St. Ignatius in Week 5 cast doubt, yet the Mustangs, now 3-3, responded by narrowly defeating Montini, the reigning Class 4A champion, 39-38. With senior running back Brandon Johnson Jr. and quarterback John Fennell leading, St. Rita remains a formidable opponent, tested by tough matchups.
St. Rita’s Brandon Johnson Jr. (23) makes a run against Marist during a CCL/ESCC crossover game in Chicago. (Vincent D. Johnson / Daily Southtown)
Most Surprising Result: Brother Rice vs. Mount Carmel
Brother Rice’s 35-24 win over the defending Class 8A champion Caravan surprised many. While a victory wasn’t entirely unexpected, the way the Crusaders achieved it was. They shut out Mount Carmel in the fourth quarter, propelled by freshman quarterback Sam Holcomb’s impressive performance. His composure in high-pressure moments stood out.
Senior receiver Anthony Cartolano praised Holcomb’s talents, noting, “Sam is amazing. He’s an outstanding player and athlete, always playing with determination. It’s incredible to watch him, someone you both hate to face but love having on your team. He’s the best quarterback I’ve ever played with.” With East St. Louis posing a challenge, Brother Rice’s chances of defending their Class 7A title grow stronger as Holcomb gains experience.
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