Playoff Preview – Round 1: St. Rita vs Mount Carmel

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The #27 team in 7A takes on the #6 seed in Mount Carmel on Friday. The Mustangs enter the playoffs at 5-4 after playing one of the toughest schedules in the state. Meanwhile, the Caravan sit at 8-1 after suffering their only loss against 8A powerhouse Loyola last Saturday. These two teams are familiar with each other, as they both compete in the Chicago Catholic League and have played each other once already this season. Mount Carmel earned a victory with a 38-7 final score. Will the Mustangs upset one of Illinois' top high school programs, or the Caravan continue their dominance. These three players from each team will play a huge role in determining who moves on in this Chicago showdown.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">ST. RITA MUSTANGS (5-4)</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["253446"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"The veteran signal caller for the Mustangs will need to have a big night if St. Rita plans on hanging around with a high powered Mount Carmel offense. Hilding is a senior with a massive frame and a strong arm. He measures in at 6'4, 190 lbs and showcases a cannon of an arm and next level accuracy. He possesses a quick release that allows him to fit the ball into tight windows where only his receivers can get it. Come Friday night, be ready for Hilding to air it out over the Caravan defense.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["271812"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"The big tailback from St. Rita has been a workhorse all season. Stewart stands at 6'0 and weighs 217 lbs. He has tallied double digit touchdowns on the year. He possesses a downhill and powerful running style that makes it nearly impossible for a single defender to bring him down. Stewart hits the hole in a hurry and punishes anyone trying to tackle him, often falling forward for extra yards at the end of plays. Don't sleep on his speed either, as Stewart has the ability to outrun pursing defenders in the open field. Lookout for Stewart's physicality all night come Friday.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["830849"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"Kingsbury will patrol the middle of the defense for the Mustangs. While it is a tall task to try and contain the Caravan's high powered offense, Kingsbury is up for the challenge. The 6'1, 215 lbs junior linebacker finished the regular season with 80 tackles. That number will continue to go up on Friday. He always finds himself around the ball, as Kingsbury plays with a high motor and football IQ that allows him to flow to the ball with ease. He is as good of a tackler as one will find. Keep an eye out for Kingsbury making plays around the ball all night on Friday.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":3,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-653b25382a114"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline">MOUNT CARMEL CARAVAN (8-1)</span></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["131488"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"The junior playmaker has burst onto the scene this season after taking the reins as Mount Carmel's starting quarterback. Elliot is a dual threat QB, measuring in at 6'1, 205. He has elite vision and speed in the open field, making him as dangerous a threat running the ball as he is throwing. What stands out most about Elliot's game is his elusiveness in the pocket, as well as his ability to extend plays while keeping his eyes downfield. He seems nearly impossible to bring down in the pocket and often finds open receivers for explosive plays when scrambling. If he can keep that rolling in Round 1, the Caravan's offense should light up the scoreboard.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["148856"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"Dupree is one of the top running backs in the country, as the Wisconsin commit has been turning heads for awhile now. The 5'10, 195 lbs tailback has an elite combination of speed, vision, and power that he has showcased throughout his high school career. Dupree possesses a variety of moves that allow him to evade tackles, including trucking, juking, and spinning. And once Dupree puts his arsenal of moves on display, his speed takes over on his way to the end zone. Good luck to anyone trying to shut down Dupree throughout the playoffs.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["271810"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"The 6'3, 230 lbs linebacker committed to Ohio University over the summer. He is as good a run stuffer as one will find, as Startz possesses the rare combination of size, speed, and instincts that makes linebackers elite. He can diagnose run plays in a hurry and scrape to the ball quickly to meet the opposing running back at or behind the line of scrimmage. Startz is a surehanded tackler, as he brings it on every single tackle, running his feet and driving the ball carrier backwards. He is also highly athletic, as he appears smooth in coverage and can eliminate space when tackling in the open field. Startz's playmaking ability will be on display all night against the Mustangs.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":3,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-653b25382a1d1"} /-->