THE Varsity Voices: High School Sports Talk

The Chicago Catholic League went 12–1 in the opening round. Can that success continue as the playoff matchups get tougher?

Joe and Dan Freveletti preview and predict all 19 first-round IHSA football playoff games involving 20 CCL teams on October 30–31, 2026, in this playoff edition of Prognosticus from THE Varsity Voices.

We break down key players, strength of schedule, matchup advantages, and our VV Factors, the players or situations that could decide each game.

And we don’t agree on everything. Joe and Dan take opposite sides in three of the weekend’s most intriguing matchups:
• St. Francis at Kaneland
• Providence Catholic at Kankakee
• Joliet Catholic at Wheaton Warrenville South

Also in this episode:
• Marist gets another shot at Mount Carmel after their regular-season meeting.
• Can Eric Couper and Peter Panagiotopoulos keep Notre Dame’s passing attack rolling against Grant?
• Is St. Laurence a dangerous playoff sleeper against Plainfield South?
• How far can IC Catholic, Montini, Brother Rice, Loyola, Fenwick, and Saint Ignatius go?
• Does an opening-round bye help teams get healthy or disrupt their rhythm?
• Why records and seeds don’t always tell the whole story.

From Class 3A through Class 8A, we cover every matchup involving a Chicago Catholic League team this round.

Make your picks with us: Which CCL team faces the toughest test, and where will the biggest upset happen?

Subscribe on YouTube, follow THE Varsity Voices on Spotify, and join us for our playoff recap, player interviews, and weekly Illinois high school football coverage.

Find our power rankings and more CCL coverage on Substack:
https://thevarsityvoices.substack.com

Get to know Notre Dame College Prep wide receiver Peter Panagiotopoulos in this CCL Player Spotlight from THE Varsity Voices.

Joe and Dan welcome the Dons’ record-setting receiver and Chicago Catholic League Purple Division Co-Player of the Year. Peter’s football story includes a standout career at Notre Dame and a longtime friendship with quarterback Eric Couper that helped shape their connection on the field.

Follow THE Varsity Voices for Chicago Catholic League football coverage, including Prognosticus previews and predictions, weekly recaps and conversations with the players and coaches behind the games.

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The Chicago Catholic League went 12–1 against public schools in the opening round of the 2026 IHSA football playoffs. What does that say about the league’s strength—and the ongoing public-versus-private debate?

Joe and Dan Freveletti recap all 13 games on THE Varsity Voices: High School Sports Talk, covering standout players, key moments, and the storylines heading into the next round.

Highlights include:
• Dominant wins by St. Francis, Notre Dame and Joliet Catholic.
• Road victories for St. Laurence, Carmel Catholic and Nazareth Academy.
• DePaul Prep’s overtime escape against Hampshire.
• Marist’s response to Neuqua Valley’s comeback.
• Henry Miller’s return for Marmion.
• Wins for Leo, Saint Patrick and Providence Catholic.
• Benet’s heartbreaking 42–38 loss to Moline.

Which CCL team delivered the strongest statement? Can the teams that advanced carry this momentum into the next round?

Follow THE Varsity Voices on Spotify, share this episode, and leave your take in the episode comments. Watch on YouTube at @THEVarsityVoices, and join us for our next Prognosticus playoff preview!

Could the expanded IHSA football playoffs open the door for a Chicago Catholic League takeover?

Joe and Dan Freveletti preview all 13 CCL opening-round games on this playoff edition of Prognosticus, with key players, storylines, VV Factors and predictions.

We debate whether regular-season records tell the whole story, discuss the expanded playoff field and disagree on two intriguing matchups: DePaul Prep–Hampshire and St. Laurence–Belleville East.

Other storylines include Leo Catholic’s resurgence, Sean Rice’s return for St. Laurence, Benet’s challenge against Moline’s running game and Marist’s opportunity to earn a Mount Carmel rematch.

MATCHUPS COVERED
Marmion–North Lawndale
Leo–Marengo
St. Francis–Grayslake North
Providence–Mount Vernon
Notre Dame–Maine West
Carmel–Noble/Bulls
Nazareth–Shepard
Joliet Catholic–Bradley-Bourbonnais
St. Patrick–Collinsville
DePaul Prep–Hampshire
Benet–Moline
St. Laurence–Belleville East
Marist–Neuqua Valley

We also look ahead for CCL teams with opening-round byes—and make the case for bringing back Wednesday playoff football.

Follow THE Varsity Voices on Spotify and subscribe on YouTube for Chicago Catholic League football previews, recaps and player interviews.

Who advances, where will the upsets happen and whose picks will hold up—Joe’s or Dan’s?

#IHSAFootball #ChicagoCatholicLeague #IHSAPlayoffs

Mount Carmel junior tight end Ty Kennedy joins Joe and Dan Freveletti for a conversation about finding his place in the Caravan offense, the win over Loyola Academy and what makes Mount Carmel football special.

In this CCL Player Spotlight, Ty discusses:

• Building chemistry with quarterback Brady Cloherty and playing alongside a talented receiving corps.
• Learning from Coach Jordan Lynch, senior leaders and his teammates.
• Balancing blocking and receiving and how basketball and lacrosse help his game.
• Growing up in Kansas City and modeling his play after Travis Kelce.
• College recruiting, his NIU and Northwestern visits, and the importance of academics.
• His faith, Mount Carmel’s traditions and the teammate he hopes to be remembered as.

Plus, Joe and Dan discover a surprising family connection with their guest!

Follow THE Varsity Voices: High School Sports Talk for Chicago Catholic League football interviews, weekly recaps, Prognosticus previews and predictions, and power rankings.

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https://thevarsityvoices.substack.com

#TyKennedy #MountCarmelFootball #CCLFootball

Two Girls Catholic Athletic Conference teams reached the final eight of the 2026 IHSA Girls Flag Football State Tournament—and Marist brought home the program’s first state trophy.

In this episode of THE Varsity Voices, we recap the GCAC playoff action from October 12–18, including:

🏈 Marist defeating Homewood-Flossmoor to win its sectional
🏈 Saint Ignatius beating Kenwood for its first sectional championship and state-tournament berth
🏈 Marist winning an all-GCAC state quarterfinal against Saint Ignatius
🏈 St. Charles North ending Marist’s 10-game winning streak in the semifinals
🏈 Lyons edging Marist, 21–19, in the third-place game
🏈 Marist completing a historic 19–5 season with a fourth-place finish in Illinois

We highlight the players who helped fuel these postseason runs, including Alia Rowles, Bella Lacy, Rose Hart, Mary Withers, Lilli Lynch, Leah Rice, Rose Cummings, Josie Borkowski and more.

We also review the final Illinois statistical leaderboards and recognize GCAC standouts such as Giuliana Lee, Allie Sheldon, Madison Rathunde, McKenzie Saffold and Stella Cooney.

Congratulations to Marist on its first state trophy, Saint Ignatius on its historic postseason run and St. Charles North on completing an undefeated state-championship season.

Subscribe on YouTube and follow THE Varsity Voices on Spotify for more coverage of girls high school sports throughout Chicagoland.

#GirlsFlagFootball #IHSA #GCAC

Mount Carmel ends Loyola’s perfect season, Brother Rice rolls past Marist, and the Chicago Catholic League heads into the IHSA football playoffs with plenty to discuss.

Joe and Dan Freveletti recap all twelve Week 9 CCL football games, breaking down the standout players, decisive plays, division championships and postseason outlook across Illinois high school football.

In this episode:
🏈 Mount Carmel beats Loyola 38–21, creating a three-way share of the Blue Division championship with Loyola and Brother Rice.
🏈 Brother Rice overwhelms Marist 49–6 as freshman quarterback Sam Holcomb throws four touchdown passes.
🏈 IC Catholic Prep shuts out Joliet Catholic 6–0, with Will Schmidt and Jaden Penna delivering key interceptions.
🏈 Montini rallies past St. Francis 28–24 behind Luca Florio’s late touchdown.
🏈 St. Rita edges Nazareth 17–14 on a touchdown catch by Vinny Stubitsch with 46 seconds remaining.
🏈 St. Ignatius defeats Providence Catholic 53–33, combining a powerful rushing attack with a dominant second-half defensive effort.
🏈 Jake Thies scores all four Fenwick touchdowns in a 28–7 win over Carmel Catholic.
🏈 Saint Patrick holds off Benet, Notre Dame College Prep erupts against Marmion, and Leo captures the Red Division championship.
🏈 St. Laurence rallies past DePaul Prep, and Saint Viator closes its season with a victory over De La Salle.

Plus, we discuss playoff opponents, opening-round byes, potential postseason sleepers and which teams look ready for a deep run.

🐾 Dawg of the Week: Mount Carmel’s Tavares Harrington earns the honor for his outstanding defensive impact against Loyola. We also recognize this week’s Dawg Pound standouts.

Which CCL team is best positioned to make a deep playoff run—and which team could surprise people?

Subscribe on YouTube, follow THE Varsity Voices on Spotify, and share this episode with another high school football fan. Visit THE Varsity Voices on Substack for team and player power rankings and more analysis.

THE Varsity Voices: Chicago Catholic League Sports Talk
Hosted by Joe and Dan Freveletti

#ChicagoCatholicLeague #IllinoisHighSchoolFootball #IHSAFootball #CCLFootball #THEVarsityVoices

Can Mount Carmel spoil Loyola’s perfect regular season? Joe and Dan disagree on the headliner as they preview and predict all 12 Chicago Catholic League Week 9 football games in this edition of PROGNOSTICUS from THE Varsity Voices.

The final weekend of the 2026 Illinois high school football regular season brings division championships, rivalry games, and playoff implications across the CCL.

Joe and Dan Freveletti break down the key players, matchups, and their “VV Factors”—the players or situations that could decide each game—before making their picks for Friday, October 16.

In this episode:
• Mount Carmel vs. Loyola: Explosive passing attack meets offensive balance as the Ramblers chase an undefeated regular season.
• Marist vs. Brother Rice: Can the RedHawks challenge the Crusaders in the Battle of Pulaski?
• St. Francis vs. Montini: Jadon Wilson and Israel Abrams headline an intriguing quarterback matchup.
• St. Rita vs. Nazareth: A surging Mustangs offense takes on a Roadrunners defense coming off a shutout.
• St. Ignatius vs. Providence: The Orange Division championship is on the line—and Joe and Dan split again.
• Joliet Catholic vs. IC Catholic Prep: Can Nate Lang and the Knights bounce back against JCA and capture the White Division title?
• Previews and predictions for the remaining six games, including Leo’s pursuit of the outright Red Division championship.

PLUS: Should two-win teams make the expanded IHSA football playoffs? We discuss strength of schedule, playoff points, potential Cinderella teams, and how much postseason seeding should influence Week 9 decisions.

Who gets your upset pick this week? Leave your predictions in the comments!

Subscribe to THE Varsity Voices on YouTube and follow us on Spotify for Chicago Catholic League football previews, recaps, player interviews, and postseason coverage.

Find more team and player power rankings on THE Varsity Voices Substack.

#ChicagoCatholicLeague #IllinoisHighSchoolFootball #CCLFootball #IHSAFootball #THEVarsityVoices

21 touchdown passes. Zero interceptions. IC Catholic Prep senior quarterback Nate Lang joins THE Varsity Voices to discuss his standout 2026 season and the mindset behind his success.

Coming off a five-touchdown first half against Loyola Academy, Nate sits down with Joe and Dan Freveletti for a CCL Player Spotlight covering preparation, decision-making, and leading the Knights’ offense.

In this interview:
🏈 His five-touchdown first half against Loyola—and what changed after halftime
🏈 Protecting the football while trusting his receivers and coaches
🏈 His offseason work to become a better pocket passer
🏈 An offensive group featuring Grant Bowen, Jaden Penna, Anthony Carroccio, Will Schmidt, and Jakobe Baldwin
🏈 The offensive line that makes it all possible
🏈 IC Catholic’s “IC versus IC” mindset and competing against larger schools
🏈 Why he enjoys watching Baker Mayfield, his advice for young quarterbacks, and his favorite food spots

Get to know the quarterback behind one of the Chicago Catholic League’s most exciting offenses.

Subscribe on YouTube and follow on Spotify for Illinois high school football coverage, CCL Player Spotlight interviews, Prognosticus previews and predictions, weekly recaps, and Zuko’s Dawg of the Week.

💬 What stands out most about Nate Lang’s game? Let us know in the comments!

Read our team and player power rankings on Substack:
https://thevarsityvoices.substack.com

The Girls Catholic Athletic Conference playoff field has been reduced from 13 teams to two.

In this episode of THE Varsity Voices: High School Sports Talk, we recap every Girls Catholic Athletic Conference flag football playoff game played from October 5–11, 2026.

Marist delivered one of the most dominant playoff weeks imaginable, defeating Lincoln-Way Central, Sandburg and Mother McAuley by a combined score of 108–0. Saint Ignatius was nearly as impressive, outscoring Lincoln Park, Clark and Oak Park-River Forest 103–12 to reach its sectional championship game.

We also discuss:

• Benet Academy’s dramatic regional-final loss to Romeoville
• Mother McAuley’s regional championship run
• St. Francis’ one-point victory over Rosary
• Regional semifinal and championship results for every GCAC team
• The potential for an all-GCAC state quarterfinal between Marist and Saint Ignatius
• GCAC players appearing on the Illinois state leaderboards
• Allie Sheldon’s state-leading scoring total
• Giuliana Lee taking over the state lead in receiving yards
• Standout seasons from Madison Rathunde, McKenzie Saffold, Josie Borkowski, Stella Cooney and others
• Local playoff coverage from the Daily Herald, Shaw Local and NCTV17

Can Marist continue its postseason shutout streak? Can Saint Ignatius slow down Kenwood’s state-leading passing attack? And could the two remaining GCAC teams meet at the IHSA state tournament?

Subscribe to THE Varsity Voices Media Network on YouTube, follow the show on Spotify and join us as we continue covering Chicago-area high school sports.

#GirlsFlagFootball #IHSA #GCAC #IllinoisHighSchoolSports #HighSchoolFlagFootball