DePaul Prep Wins 4A State Championship with Blowout 40-6 Win over Mt. Zion

[Preview of my Inside-Booster article this week.]

By Jack Lydon 

The DePaul Prep Rams (11-4) finished off their historic IHSA 4A playoff run with a convincing 40-6 victory over the Mt. Zion Braves (10-4) at Hancock Field in Normal, Illinois, Friday evening.

The Rams weren’t supposed to get this far. They finished second to Benet Academy in the CCL/ESCC’s Purple Division. They lost their last two games of the regular season. They have not qualified for the playoffs or even had a winning season in nine years. Some observers thought this game would be close. DePaul Prep was not a Chicago Catholic League powerhouse the way Montini, Mount Carmel and Loyola are. Mt. Zion runs a high-power offence fueled to two top division one prospects.  

The preceding three championship games were blowouts. In 1A, Althoff Catholic defeated Lena-Winslow 57-14. In 2A, Chicago Christian defeated Maroa-Forsyth 47-0. In 3A, Montini defeated Monticello 49-9.

If you thought would not win this game, you don’t know these Rams. This is a special group of seniors. When Mike Passarella took over the DePaul Prep football program six years ago, the teams improved year after year even if their records didn’t reflect it. But they never seemed to get over the hump and into the playoffs. Instead of finding a way to win, they found a way to lose.

But not this senior class, as freshmen this group was focused. They intended to win. Despite having a 4-6 record last year, they were in games last season even if they lost at the end. It was not going to be that way this year.

“In the last couple years, we have been close. There was nothing that could stop these guys. They were determined. You saw it out there the whole year. We had three loses but we should have won two. These guys have battled through a lot. They fought through a lot. They wanted to be champions. They said this was their goal and here we are right now,” said Rams head coach Mike Passarella.

Friday’s state championship game was a lopsided affair. The Rams controlled the game from the start offensively and defensively. The Rams held a 20-0 lead at the start of the second quarter. DePaul’s defense completely throttled the Braves.

The Rams showed dominance in the playoffs in all three phases: offense, defense and special teams. The DePaul Prep defense showed early that the division one players on the Braves squad, Brayden Trimble and JC Anderson, would not be a factor.

The DePaul Prep offense was led by senior quarterback Fernando “Juju” Rodriguez. Ordinarily, Rodriguez throws for touchdowns. Early in the first quarter, after Mt. Zion managed only a three-yard punt. On the very next play, with Mt. Zion and everyone in the stadium looking for the Rams to throw deep for a quick strike touchdown, Juju ran straight of the middle of the field for a 29-yard touchdown giving the Rams a 13-0 lead.

The Rams’ balanced attack is usually equal measures running and passing. That has been their key to success this year. But Friday, it was the run game that carried the Rams. Senior running back and three-year starter Nick Martinez had 100-yards rushing on 19 carries for a 5.3 yard per carry average and three touchdowns. Ram’s senior running back and defensive back Nicholas Hathcoat had 91-yards rushing on only four carries for a whopping 22.8 yards per carry and one touchdown. Rodriguez himself added 47 yards on 7 carries.

It wasn’t all running. Rodriguez was 5 for 12 passing for 64 yards and one touchdown to wide receiver Braden Peevy.

While the Rams have rebounded from years of losing seasons to win a state championship, DePaul Prep had the winning tradition of Gordon Tech football to show it’s possible. The students and players know about Gordon’s history. Former DePaul Prep head coach Bill Jeske was a member of the 1980 Gordon state championship team and frequently attends the football games. His son Emmit just recently played football at DePaul. Bill’s son Liam is a teacher in the school.

After last weekend’s victory over Coal City, Bill Jeske said, “Even though the name [of the school] has changed, the Rams’ traditions continue. I spent last night with my friends [from the 1980 championship team]. I said this team is just like us. They are a team of destiny.”

Bill is right. This year’s DePaul Prep Rams are indeed a team of destiny.

DePaul Prep senior quarterback runs for touchdown in 40-6 win over Mt. Zion. Michael Felish photo credit.

DePaul Prep Advances to State Title Game with 21-14 Win Over Coal City

[Preview of my Inside—Booster Article]

By Jack Lydon

DePaul Prep is in the state championship game. Not basketball. Football.

That’s right. The DePaul Prep Rams football team went to Coal City, Illinois, and defeated the traditionally good Coalers football team 21-14 Saturday afternoon. The Rams will face Mt. Zion on Friday in the IHSA State Championship at Illinois State University’s Hancock Field.

The Rams finished second in the CCL/ESCC Purple Division this year with a 6-3 record. They only elevated out of the CCL/ESCC’s lowest division last year with a record 4-6. DePaul Prep has had exactly one playoff appearance in ten years of existence. They were pasted 40-0 in 2015 by Elmwood-Brumfield.

Not anymore. No hiding it. No denying it. No avoiding it. Believe it. These Rams are legit.

They have very good players and excellent coaches. The team can run and pass. They can run up the middle. They can run wide. They can pass deep. They can pass short. They come back when they are behind. They can play defense. They stop the run. They stop the pass. They sack the quarterback. They bend but not break. They hold a lead.

The Rams had a few miscues in the first half that keep the game within reach for the Coalers. Rams highly regarded senior quarterback, Fernando “Juju” Rodriguez, scrambled out of trouble for a nice gain only to turn the ball over while going down. A little while later, after an amazing run through the Coal City defense, Rams’ senior running back Nick Martinez fumbled the ball just outside the endzone only to have it recovered by Coal City for a touchback.

The Rams defense handled the Coalers in the first half. The Coalers never threatened.

There was plenty of fight left in the Coalers. They took the second half kickoff and drove down the field, six and seven yards at a time, to tie the game 7-7.

The Rams answered in three plays. A 39-yard pass to touchdown pass from Rodriguez to senior wide receiver Matthew Osterman gave the Rams the lead 14-7.

One never felt like the Rams would lose the game. It just took too much for Coal City to score. The Coalers put up another touchdown. The Rams answered again.

“Juju is the best quarterback in the state,” said a fan in the celebration after the game.

“I am just focused on us winning. Just getting to this moment and winning next week,” said Rodriguez. Juju’s probably not the best quarterback in the state. He’s probably not the best quarterback in the Catholic League. Just ask Mount Carmel’s Jack Elliott and Loyola’s Ryan Fitzgerald.

But maybe Juju is. If taking an underdog, overachieving 6-3 team to the state championship game counts a lot more than leading a perennial powerhouse program, he just might be the best quarterback in Illinois. You’ll get no argument from me on that point. 

It wasn’t just Juju who won the game. One cannot overstate the work of the defense, especially the stellar play of senior defensive lineman Michael Casper and linebacker Jett Reese. When Coal City was forced to throw in the closing minutes, the Rams’ defensive backfield, led by senior cornerback Shae Griffith, turned them away. 

The 4A state championship game will be Friday evening, the day after Thanksgiving, at 7:00 p.m., at Illinois State University’s Hancock Stadium. The Rams will face the Mt. Zion Braves. The Braves (10-3) from the Apollo Conference defeated University High from Normal in Saturday’s other 4A semi-final.

“It hasn’t sunk in. I talked to the boys. I talked to the coaches. I’ve got people coming up to me. I am trying to embrace the moment but I am starting to think about getting back to work,” Rams head coach Mike Passarella said.

DePaul Prep is unique. It is a new school but has, or shares, an old tradition. The tradition of Gordon Tech. One of Gordon Tech’s legacies, maybe its most well-known, is a state championship in 1980. Gordon was a big school then. 2000 boys in class 6A, the largest class. DePaul Prep’s head football coach before Passarella was Bill Jeske, a member of that 1980 state champion Gordon Tech team.

“It was 44 years ago yesterday,” Bill Jeske said after the game. “Even though the name [of the school] has changed, the Rams’ traditions continue. I spent last night with my friends. I said this team is just like us. They are a team of destiny.”

DePaul Prep Beats Fenwick 44-43 in Double Overtime

The biggest win in school history for DePaul Prep? It’s not Gordon Tech’s State Championship in 1980 but it sure feels like the biggest win for the new DePaul Prep Rams in ten years of being DePaul Prep.

The DePaul Prep Rams (4-4, 1-1 in CCL/ESCC Red) beat the Fenwick Friars (4-4, 1-1 in CCL/ESCC Orange) 44 to 43 in double overtime Friday night at DePaul Prep.  

In talking to some fans before the game, I asked, “How is Fenwick?’

“It’s Fenwick, but it not Fenwick Fenwick,” I was told.

 The Rams had a chance. And they believed. What’s new about this year is that they can score. They have big-play players. And they score a lot. In their last five games, they have scored 38, 28, 36, 35 and 44 points. I don’t know what Rams’ junior quarterback Fernando “JuJu” Rodriguez did over the summer but whatever it is, somebody should bottle it. His play at quarterback has improved 100%. His throws are on time and on target and the Rams are scoring.

Rams’ senior running back Titus Bautista provides the perfect counter-punch to Rodriguez big arm. Recievers Bradon Peevy, Michael Bloom and Jack West catch the ball and they are only juniors.

Even so, the Rams struggled in the first quarter playing the entire quarter in their own end. They gave up two early field goals and a touchdown falling behind 12-0. But actually it didn’t feel bad. The Rams can score quick and that they did.

On the first play of the second quarter, a perfectly executed screen pass to Bautista flipped the field position bringing the Rams from deep in their own end to the Fenwick redzone. A couple play later it was 12-7.

After having given up a field goal to the Friars with 6:14 to go in the fourth, the Rams trailed 23-29. They took over at their own 21 after Michael Bloom’s kickoff return. With third down and five on their own 26, a quick hitch from Fernandez to junior wide receiver Braden Peevy, then a lateral out to Bautista who sprinted out of the backfield and down the sideline to Fenwick’s 40 yard-line.

A fourth and five scramble by Rodriguez down to the 28-yard line kept the Rams alive. A couple plays later, another fourth down, still from the 28-yard line. This is the Rams’ shot. After coming so close against Providence, after giving late scores against Marian Catholic and being unable to score on a game ending driving, could the Rams make it happen? After years of incremental improvements and confidence building, could this be the hump the Rams get over?

With 4th and 10 and the game, the season and the future on the line, they stood there looking to the sideline for the play. The play clock ticked down; the Rams took the play and lined up. With Rams’ head coach Mike Passarella running down the sideline calling for a time out, the side judge blows his whistle as the Rams snap the ball.

Time out.

Back out on the field. 4th and 10 from the 28. The ball placed on the far hash mark. Senior wide receiver Michael Bloom split out to Rodriguez’s left. Junior Bradon Peevy to his right. Junior running back Nick Martinez in the slot left next to Bloom, junior Jack West in the wideside slot next to Peevy.

Will we look back on this play as the turning point for the football program, or will the losing continue?

Martinez goes in motion to wide side. Bloom launches up field and dips in toward the post, then bolts straight up the sideline past the Fenwick corner like he was standing still.

The offensive line pushes the four Fenwick pass rushers outside and Rodriguez moves up in the pocket. Fenwick’s stud defensive tackle Nate Marshall breaks back up the middle to meet JuJu and stop the pass. Rodriguez lets it fly. Bloom slows up to get the ball. He catches the game tying touchdown in the endzone just before the Fenwick corner can break up the pass.

Huge. Great call. Clutch throw. Tremendous catch. Touchdown Rams!

The game is tied. 

Of course, Fenwick gets a tremendous push up the middle and blocks the Rams extra point. Still tied with 2:03 to play.

Fenwick moves the ball into DePaul Prep territory and with two seconds on the clock, the Friars line up for a 40-yard field goal.

No good. To overtime we go all tied at 29.

Rams have it first from the 10 yard-line in the South end. They score, adding a PAT. Rams 36, Friars 29.

Now the Friars. They score adding a PAT. Double overtime. Rams 36, Friars 36.

Now the Friars have it again. They score adding the PAT. Friars 43, Rams 36.

I never doubted the Rams would score again. They had come too far. But how long could this go on? Titus Bautista around the right end on the first play. Friars 43, Rams 42.

Mike Passarella never hesitated. As soon as I looked back toward the sideline, after Bautista scored, Passarella was raising two fingers. They were going for two points to win the game.

Fenwick called a time out to talk it over.

Two-point conversion attempt from the 3. Peevy split right. Bloom split left. Three backs in the backfield with Rodriguez. Shot gun snap to Rodriguez who gets immediate pressure from his left. Peevy ducks inside into double coverage then slips back toward the sideline. Rodriguez, with a man on him, throws to Peevy breaking to the sideline. TOUCHDOWN. (2-point conversion really.) Rams win. Rams win!

The DePaul Prep Rams defeated Fenwick 44-43 drawing even on the year at 4 wins and 4 losses and chance to make the playoff with a win at DeLaSalle next Friday.

A huge win for a DePaul Prep Rams football team that hasn’t had much to celebrate in recent years. Bill Jeske didn’t know how long it has been since the Rams beat Fenwick. 20 years maybe. Former athletic director Paul Chabura confirmed that the last time DePaul Prep/Gordon Tech beat Fenwick was in 2000 in a Prep Bowl playoff.

“Final was 24-6. Scott Baum was the coach. The Rams came close a few times but that was the last win,” Chabura wrote.

The Rams have improved no doubt. The culture is back. The program is bursting at the seams. They just needed that turn the corner win.

The skies parted literally and figuratively for DePaul Prep football Friday with a huge signature Catholic League crossover win against the Fenwick Friars.

I guess we will have to see if it is the turning point it feels like.

Watch the game for yourself on You Tube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5WE0YCfXubw

DePaul Prep Rams Ready Open Season

“Last year, we didn’t know how to win yet,” said fourth year DePaul Prep head football coach Mike Passarella.

 “Not a push over anymore,” Passarella continued. “Everyone is taking us seriously this year.”

 The DePaul Prep Rams are coming off a disappointing 2-7 season after being on the cusp of turning around the program.

“The goal is to win a playoff game,” Passarella said. That will take at least three more wins. Those wins are out there. Since the closing of St. Joseph, DePaul Prep has played three non-conference games instead of the usual two games to open the season. The Rams have added Chicago Hope Academy this year. Chicago Hope could be another win. And with a victory of over Marian Central Catholic, plus an upset victory over the “mighty, mighty” St. Viator Lions (a play on the St. Viator fight song) and with the strength of schedule points and our Rams probably make the playoffs.

The Rams schedule has changed significantly. Ridgewood and Lena-Winslow are out. Amundsen and Chicago Hope Academy are in. Plus, this year there are only two teams in the CCL/ESCC conference’s Red Division—DePaul Prep and Leo. Marian Central Catholic in Woodstock left the conference and went independent but remains on the schedule.

Circle September 16th on your calendar. The Rams take on the Leo Lions for the CCL/ESCC Red Division championship game. With just two teams in the division, this game will decide who’s champ. Leo and DePaul Prep are developing quite a rivalry in the recent months. DePaul Prep defeated Leo in the 2A basketball super-sectional to earn a trip to Champaign for the 2A state basketball finals.

The future is definitely bright for the DePaul Prep’s football program. The school’s enrollment has just dramatically increased in recent years. This year’s enrollment is up to 1086. With construction of a new wing of classrooms beginning shortly on the campus, enrollment is expected to top out at 1400, roughly the same as St. Ignatius. The Rams are currently 3A for football but an enrollment of 1200 will soon put bump DePaul Prep up two classes into 5A.

Along with the jump in enrollment comes a whole new crop of athletes. The Rams plan the start a sophomore quarterback, Fernando “JuJu” Rodriguez. Also, on offense is senior offensive lineman Emmett Jeske, son of former head coach and Gordon Tech legend, Bill Jeske. Junior offensive tackle Eric Timbo is expected to impress and land some offers from NCAA Division One schools.

At the skill positions, junior wide receiver Lavelle Hardy returns to lead the receiving corps. Hardy is also expected to receive Division One offers and score a lot of touchdowns. Senior wide receiver (and varsity basketball player) Henry West, in his first year of football, will also play wide out. Senior Shane Leonard will also play in Coach Passarella’s receiver heavy spread offense spread offense.

Gordon Tech legend Gary Anish, Jr., has been elevated to defensive coordinator. His defense will be led by senior defensive ends Oliver Vigorest and Dane Barkley (also a basketball player). Defensive standouts junior middle linebacker Griffin Horne and Danny Kelly as well has junior cornerback Jonathan Perez will lead a young and talented defense.

The season starts tomorrow at 7:00 p.m., with a home game against Walter Payton College Prep. Should be a fun game between two teams on the rise.

DePaul Prep Rams practice read option Wednesday at DePaul Prep

Chris Haas Leaves DePaul Prep to Be AD at IC Catholic

We learned today that DePaul’s Prep’s head baseball coach and teacher is leaving to become the athletic director at IC Catholic high school in Elmhurst.

After seventeen years at Gordon Tech and DePaul Prep, Chris is moving up. I know coaches and teachers coming and going from high schools normal but I can scarcely conceive of DePaul Prep without Chris Haas. When my kids started at Gordon, Chris was the Bill Jeske’s offensive coordinator, he was at every home basketball game and of course, he was the manager of the very successful baseball program for GT and DePaul Prep.

With Mike Wieda, Paul Chabura, Sean Connor and now Chris Haas being snatched up by other schools, I hope the loss of all this coaching talent doesn’t hurt too much.

Best of luck Chris. Thanks for teaching and coaching my kids. We will miss you. Don’t be a stranger. I will have to get out to wherever IC Catholic is and photograph some games.

Go Rams!