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Health & Fitness

CN100 Game of the Week preview: Football - St. Rita vs. Providence Catholic

NEW LENOX - Providence might be entering Friday’s showdown with St. Rita with a pair of losses, but it’s all part of the grueling schedule that the Celtics play.

They lost to two unbeaten teams, state powers Joliet Catholic and, then, in the Chicago Catholic Blue opener, against Loyola. It’s necessary to get that kind of challenge in the nonconference slate when you play in arguably the best conference in the state.

Providence hosts St. Rita in one of those challenging games Friday, a game which will be broadcast by CN100. The game will be shown at Noon and 4 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 5, and at 7 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 7. You can also find it throughout Chicagoland with Xfinity On Demand.

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“The two losses were both close games (42-35 to JCA and 28-16 to Loyola),” Providence coach Mark Coglianese said. “We need to execute better in key situations and play big games like the CCL Blue games.”

The Celtics (3-2 overall, 0-1 CCL Blue) have a balanced attack offensively this season. Justin Hunniford leads the way at quarterback, going 84-for-134 for 939 yards thus far. His top targets in the passing game are Miles Boykin (26 catches, 391 yards, seven touchdowns) and Luke Quaranta (23 catches, 225 yards).

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Carrying the load at running back is Dominic Lagone, who has rushed for 763 yards and 12 touchdowns to go with 21 catches and 139 yards receiving.

“We look forward to the challenge of playing Providence,” St. Rita coach Todd Kuska said. “Their offense can be explosive but can also grind a team down. They have many weapons through the air and on the ground. Their defense is just as tough as they normally are. We expect a very tough, physical game from them, especially at their home.”

St. Rita will rely on linebackers John Connolly, Matt Mitchell and John Regan and defensive backs Marty Bechina, Lamar Dawson, Dan Gleaves and Ryan Price to slow the Celtics down.

St. Rita suffered through a rare non-playoff season last year, the first time the Mustangs didn’t reach the postseason since 1999. But they are back on track this year, winning their first four games before falling to defending Class 8A state champion Mt. Carmel 24-3 in the CCL Blue opener last week.

St. Rita was energized by the transfer of star Richards quarterback Tommy Mister to the program this year. And Mister has not disappointed. He has only thrown for 580 yards and three touchdowns, but he has done significant damage on the ground. He has rushed for 586 yards and 11 touchdowns, including his sparkling 220-yard, four-touchdown performance in the season-opening 28-26 win over Marist.

Running backs Tyre Lee (281 yards, three touchdowns) and Derrick Miles (202 yards, two touchdowns) help Mister out in the running game. Mister’s top target in the pass game is Julian Crum (12 catches, 230 yards, one touchdown). Brandon Gaston, Jack Ladd and Malik Space also give Mister options in the passing game.

“On offense, Rita is very explosive,” Coglianese said. “They have very talented running backs and receivers. With the addition of Mister at quarterback, they are very dangerous every time they snap the ball. It will be a huge challenge for our defense (which is led by Andrew Banathy with 34 tackles).”

- Paul Johnson, CN100 Correspondent

Stay up to date on all of CN100’s games this season by visiting our website, or follow Game of the Week on Facebook and Twitter to see where our crew will be next. When the games are done, tune into to see the best in Chicagoland prep sports each week with CN100 Sports Weekly. You can also find video clips and highlights with Sports Weekly on YouTube.

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