| 2005 Season |
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2005
Mike Menozzi JolietCatholicFootball.com
2005 Rosters
2005 Statistics
2005 Schedules
2005 ESCC schedules
Regular Season
2005 began as most do at JCA when football season rolls around - great expectations, including a number 1 ranking in Illinois for all classes, and a National ranking that would eventually find the Hill at #4 in the Nation.
The success of the program in the past 6 years along with a number of returning skill players and nearly the entire defensive line left much to be excited about in 05.
The season was not without its hurdles to overcome though either. The program was impacted by a number of transfers, notably a starting lineman off the offensive line, two wide receivers and a senior quarterback. Underclassmen stepped to fill the positions, in week one there were 3 sophomores starting at QB, OLB, and OG. An injury to the TE promoted yet another sophomore into the starting TE role in week two.
The ESCC was in the final year of the conference round robin schedule. Beginning in 06 the ESCC would return to 2 non-conference games in weeks one and two.
2005 was also the first year of the private school multiplier, designed to move the private schools up one class based on the IHSA’s definition of competitiveness.
The season began with a trip to Marist, the backfield of McKeon, Benson, and Hrvatin was returning from the year before with Hrvatin seeing part time action in 04. Sophomore John Ruetteger, in only his second year of organized football was named starting QB. He, along with McKeon seeing some time at QB, guided the Hillmen to a 26-0 win on the road. Pundits were expecting more that a 26 point win and the grumbles began early.
Week two was the home opener against a scrappy but undermanned Benet team. The Hillmen were flat in the first half, the rotation of Ruetteger and McKeon continued, dictated by what the defense was giving the Hillmen and who had the hot hand. Benet held a slim 14-16 lead at the half, but the Hillmen righted the ship and poured it on in the second half, final 54-16.
Back on the road again as Catholic visited Marian Catholic. Benson ran for over 200 yards and the Hill had no trouble with a young Spartans team 57-7
Catholic stayed on track with a 41-0 shutout of Notre Dame. The defense was playing very well, and the offense was beginning go put up points like everyone expected they would.
St. Joes came to town for Homecoming, and the undermanned St. Joe’s squad didn’t fare well losing 68-7. Up to this point the offense and defense were playing on top of their game – or so it seemed. What no one knew at this point was typically strong programs from Notre Dame and Marian were experiencing a down year. JCA had only faced one over .500 team – Marist. To no one’s surprise the toughest part of the program was right around the corner, and they would be tested mightily.
Week 6 was a trip to the far side of the sun, otherwise known as Mundelein IL, to face the Carmel Corsairs who were ranked #1 in 7A earlier before a loss to Viator. A close first half saw the Hillmen go up right before the half and they opened it up in the second half, and finishing 56-21.
Undefeated team St Viator made a trip to the stadium setting up a battle with the Lions high powered passing offense. The defense gave up 28, but the offense scored 42 and the game was not really in doubt. It did raise questions about our defensive abilities against a strong passing attack.
Memories of a trip to St. Pats in 03 were not fun. The QB Bourg broke his leg on the turf that took all year to recover from. This would be not much different, LB Mays broke his ankle, and defensive corner Kelly tore ligaments. St. Pat’s played sky high and took a huge lead into the half. Only to see it vanish in the second half. Benson broke the single game rushing record and Catholic survived a close one 48-45. Ironically Carmel, Viator, and Pat’s had peaked against JCA, the latter never displayed that type of offensive explosion again in the year. The questions of this team stopping the pass had resurfaced after the offensive explosion by St. Pats. Offensively, JCA seemed to have the offense needed to topple anyone simply by outscoring them. The QB position was clearly McKeon’s now, there was no more rotation with Ruetteger.
Week nine was against another throwing team at home, Nazareth came in and gave it their all. The Chicago tribune features an article of what it was like to prepare to play JCA as viewed by the RoadRunners. Catholic prevailed 43-16.
Playoffs
To no one’s surprise, JCA, Morris and Providence were all placed in the same quad. But the highly anticipated game with Providence never materialized when the Celtics were rudely ousted from the playoffs in round one by a huge Batavia team. This forced a showdown with Morris – more importantly in Morris, if both teams got that far.
Your IHSA reward for being undefeated and a 1 or 2 seed in the playoffs gets you a home game in round one against a 5-4 team that is “just happy to be there”. The outcome is usually pretty predictable. This years opponent was Rich Central who scored first on a bobbled punt snap, but that was pretty much it. Catholic wins 72-22.
Week two was another home game against Batavia, who’s fans guaranteed there would be no running clock – and there wasn’t. Batavia fought to a 35-19 loss, due mostly to the incredible running of Benson, who broke his three week old single game rushing record with 363 yards. While McKeon had become the quarterback of the team, the running chores had fallen squarely on Bensons shoulders, and he was making the most of it.
They say injuries often come at the worst time, but in fact here is no good time for them to pop up either. In preparation for the Morris game in Morris, Benson separated his shoulder in practice. Anyone with a similar injury knows how painful it can be. The injury affected Bensons otherwise strong inside running game against Morris. It also changed the way he was used, the game plan was to use him at wide-out to keep him in the game, but lessen some of the punishment on his injured shoulder.
Nearly everyone outside the IHSA offices knew this was the championship game in 6A, and the crowd reflected it. A huge quarterfinal crowd was left standing due to the very limited seating. They saw Catholic battle, but make too many mistakes to win. Losing a close one, 21-28 to a well coached Redskin team that played a perfect game and got a typically outstanding game from their star running back John Dergo.
Part of the Hillmen's undoing was their inability to throw the ball well enough to keep opposing defenses off balance.
The Hilltoppers would finish 11-1 on the season. The Redskins, as expected would go on to win the 6A title in 2005.
The Outgoing Seniors
The Senior class had suffered their first loss wearing the brown and white, going 43-1 since entering as Freshmen. Gone too was the chance to break the school win streak record had they made it to the championship game and won. Of course, not being able to add to the programs state leading 12 state championships was the final straw of the heartbreak.
The Hillmen fought hard and played well against all obstacles in 2005. The end result is not what anyone wanted to see, but it was not for lack of effort or hard work.
In the end it was not 6A, the multiplier, or even a passing team that was the Hilltoppers demise. It was something no one expected, a running team. More specifically a single runner that they couldn’t contain. Make no mistake, Dergo was on top of his game all season and especially against the Hillmen. He showed why he was named Player of the Year, showing terrific balance, strength, and quickness. He was more than the Hilltoppers could handle on that day.
Defeat is never easy to take, and they say what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. While this is difficult to accept, it certainly won’t kill the Hilltoppers, and I have no doubt, in the end it will make them stronger.
We, as Alumni and fans have been more fortunate than most in the state. We’ve become accustomed to winning seasons capped by a state championship. The fact that no one else in the state is as successful should be some indication of how fortunate we’ve been. A trip to the message board, to read a few posts after the Morris game is a clear indication of the passionate followers this program has. The fact that JCA has people that care as much as they do, is obvious.
Best of luck to the class of 2006 in all their future endeavors, Continued success in upcoming basketball, wrestling, track and field, and baseball seasons, as well as your collegiate years ahead. Thank you for all your hard work and preparation that enabled you to perform at your highest level representing yourselves, your families, and Joliet Catholic.
2006
The 2006 team will need to pull it together quickly, as the 2006 season will see a very tough schedule starting with Mt. Carmel and Morris both on the road. Followed by trips to St. Pat’s, Benet, Notre Dame, and Carmel leaving only three home games next year.
There is a familiar saying describing successful programs regardless of activity. “They don’t rebuild . . .they reload.” It often describes Joliet Catholic’s football program, and next year shouldn’t be any different. Winners of five state titles in the last 7 years, the Hillmen continue to have one of the top programs in the state with a large number of talented underclassmen arriving at the Varsity level soon.
But to stay on top is the most difficult task of all – getting there is easy, staying there is something else. If Catholic is to stay at their spot on top they need to continue to improve and develop the program and it’s players.
The 2006 Hillmen will likely see a large number of juniors in starting roles. What the Hilltoppers will lack in experience next year they will make up for in terms of talent and size. An undefeated sophomore team will fill key positions next year as juniors. They’ll be joined by the current juniors and sophomores that held starting positions, or saw considerable action on the very successful 2005 team. Their skill and leadership will be invaluable.
As with any successful football program though, the success next year begins right now. Preparation in the off season by way of strength, and speed conditioning will be key in determining who will obtain starting positions in 2006, and the overall success of the 2006 Hilltoppers.
Thank you, and best of luck class of 2006
Hillmen Football
Our Lady of Victory . . . Pray For Us!
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"Any man's finest hour - his greatest fulfillment to all he holds dear - is
that moment he has worked his heart out in a good cause and lies exhausted
on the field of battle . . . victorious."
Vince Lombardi
Our Lady of Victory . . .
Pray for Us!
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