Friday Night Heavyweight Collision in CCL Blue

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last week, eyes were locked in Missouri for the Marquee Matchup in the Gateway, as De Smet Jesuit out-haymakered Cardinal Ritter in an electric back and forth heavyweight fight. This week's bout amongst heavyweights takes place in northside Chicagoland between Chicago Catholic league state championship contenders. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Brother Rice vs Loyola Academy is the StopPRZ Game of the Week.</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>*** Use code <strong>StopPRZ30</strong> to slash 30% off your subscription to Prep Redzone ***</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>*** Follow your favorites along with us all season using the new <strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/illinois/high-schools/scores/">PRZ SCORES</a></strong> ***</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong><em>BROTHER RICE v LOYOLA ACADEMY</em></strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Chicago Catholic League Blue is providing us <strong><em>THE</em></strong> banger matchup in a week where the IHSA slate is loaded with them.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Brother Rice arrives in Wilmette having blasted their previous two opponents a combined 112-0, after dropping their week 1 tangle with Lincoln Way East by a point. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Loyola Academy takes their field Friday a perfect 3-0 on the year after handling business against St. Rita a week ago, and leaving Indianapolis the week prior with a decisive victory against a perennial Indiana state power Cathedral.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>At 2-1, BR shows up #1 in the media polls in IHSA Class 7A, and the Crusaders are just two points shy of undefeated. Undefeated Loyola is the #1 program in IHSA Class 8A, the largest classification in the State of Illinois. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These two will have an argument for top overall program in the state when it's all said and done. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>College level prospects will litter the field on Friday night.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong><em>THE KEYS</em></strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>TRENCH WARFARE</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is where the game will likely be won or lost. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Brother Rice has a pair of game wreckers on defense. [player_tooltip player_id='1052814' first='Kameron' last='McGee'] comes off the edge and is currently the <strong>Number One</strong> ranked Illinois prospect in the class of 2028. Notre Dame commit [player_tooltip player_id='1334133' first='Brayden' last='Parks'] is the top ranked interior defensive lineman in the State of Illinois and one of the premier iDL prospects in the country. The Loyola offensive line highlighted by junior Division I prospects [player_tooltip player_id='1621319' first='Brock' last='Thompson'] and Connor "CJ" Nielsen will need to be at their best.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Brother Rice also has a group of hogs up front that can take care of business, anchored by San Diego State commit [player_tooltip player_id='901504' first='Carlos' last='Rios'] and Miami (OH) commit [player_tooltip player_id='1335452' first='Ethan' last='Posey'] at the bookends. Having observed both in live offseason action multiple times, these two tough competitors have legitimate size and mobility. Junior center [player_tooltip player_id='1687793' first='Tyler' last='Houlf'] will be doing battle on the interior. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Loyola defensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='1649970' first='Braedan' last='McHugh'] is a versatile high motor player, and Boston College commit and linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='2045496' first='Will' last='Mettee'], is effective attacking the run and coming on the blitz.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>QB1 BATTLE</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This game features a bonafide duel of signal callers. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Loyola's [player_tooltip player_id='422465' first='Matthew' last='Lee'] is the current ranked top quarterback prospect in the State of Illinois for the 2028 Class and looks to put his continued growth at the position on display this season for the Ramblers. Lee displayed high-level natural arm talent in the combine setting over the offseason and currently holds a handful of Division I FBS offers. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Look out for Brother Rice ballhawk [player_tooltip player_id='1140979' first='Jordan' last='Moore'] to try and bait Lee into mistakes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Brother Rice might have the top quarterback prospect in the country for the Class of 2030 running their offense. Freshman [player_tooltip player_id='1567137' first='Sam' last='Holcomb'] comes with plenty of deserved hype. In the controlled setting, Holcomb displayed arm talent and mechanics well beyond his years. In his first three games of varsity football, he's delivered the ball at an impressive 87.5% clip with 5 touchdowns and no picks. Holcomb can use his legs, too.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A big game with big talent at the most important position.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>THE WEAPONS</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Both programs have size and talent on the perimeter in the passing game, and ponies in the backfield capable of carrying the load.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Loyola's [player_tooltip player_id='974585' first='Jordan' last='McKinley'] has to be the top offensive prospect on the field in this matchup. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The junior receiver had Division I ready size measurables since the first time seeing him as a freshman at 6030 215, and at a young age was making elite plays on the ball at the catch point. Now he's an offensive focal point and national prospect. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>At tight end, Loyola has Boston College commit [player_tooltip player_id='2104990' first='Charlie' last='Fowler']. The senior goes 6060 225 with excellent length. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the stable, junior running back [player_tooltip player_id='2140174' first='Jayden' last='Garrett'] is a power conference caliber ball carrier with size at 6000+ and 200+ on the scale.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Holcomb's premier target is junior tight end [player_tooltip player_id='1682020' first='Jack' last='McNamara'], who at 6050 240 will have the best combination of physical and athletic traits on the field lending value as a pass catcher as well as moving bodies from point A to point B. McNamara is a national recruit with scholarship offers at the power conference level from coast to coast. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The ground game is led by senior [player_tooltip player_id='1303748' first='Jameson' last='Davis']. The Army commit got the bulk of the carries over the first three weeks and three scores.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>But it doesn't stop there. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1567137' first='Sam' last='Holcomb'] is a dual threat athlete and leads the team in rushing yards with four touchdowns. [player_tooltip player_id='2176692' first='Aydan' last='Yarbrough'] will also be a factor in the run game and passing game and leads the team in all purpose yards.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong><em>THE BOTTOM LINE</em></strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This isn't just a CCL Blue rivalry game, it's a heavyweight battle amongst elite programs with big time prospects at every position and graduating class. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A quarterback duel is a delectable talking point, one that will always be a top storyline. Between Lee and Holcomb, which young field general will rise up and perform under the big stage pressure? </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There will be no shortage of weapons to distribute the ball to. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Brother Rice offensive line will have the edge in the trenches.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Both defenses will have their hands full. The Brother Rice defense has the X factor though, in the form of a pair of disruptors at the line of scrimmage that have <strong><em>take-over-the-game ability</em></strong>. If McGee or Parks, or both, have an overwhelming impact, that is enough to tip the scales in the Crusaders' direction.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This one could go either way, the matchups are fairly even, but the pick goes to the program that has unique talent at a premier position. The Crusaders defensive front makes the difference.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong><em>STOP'S PICK: BROTHER RICE</em></strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/nielstopczynski/status/2097788649954033903","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"x","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/nielstopczynski/status/2097788649954033903 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed -->