Joliet Catholic
High School

2006 Schedule

8/26 12:00 @
Chicago (Mt. Carmel) 2442.00
@ Soldier Field
9/1 7:30 @
Morris 1015.00
9/9 8:00 @
*Chicago (St. Patrick) 3349.50
@ Hanson Stadium Stadium
9/15 7:30 H
*Chicago (Marist) 3017.85
@ Joliet Memorial Stadium
9/22 7:30 @
*Lisle (Benet Academy) 2149.95
@ Benedictine University
9/29 7:30 H
*Chicago Heights (Marian Catholic) 2697.75
@ Joliet Memorial Stadium
10/6 7:30 @
*Niles (Notre Dame) 2498.10
10/13 7:30 H
*Westchester (St. Joseph) 1288.65
@ Joliet Memorial Stadium
10/20 7:30 @
*Mundelein (Carmel) 2285.25
### enrollment
Joliet Memorial Stadium

5A Semi Finals vs.Joliet (Catholic)(12-1)
11/22/2003

The Hilltopper's defense get's ready to record one of several sacks on their way to a 56-7 semi final victory.

Hilltoppers No Prince Charming

LaSalle (Fellows Stadium) - The Cavilers had rebounded from a 4-5 2002 season, to becoming the Cindrella team of 5A, but a fairy tale spoiling Hilltopper's team showed up and squished any thoughs of Champaign dreams for the small river town.

There was an air of hope hovering above Howard Fellows Stadium on Saturday afternoon, that was almost as thick as the clouds over head. That hope was packed in tight at a stadium that had already been at near capcity an hour before game time.

In their first semi final game since 1979, the Cavaliers looked to be a bit timid as the stalled on the first drive of the game and had to punt after three plays.

The mood was still in good spirt as the Cavaliers, who weren't accustom to blowing out their opponents, punted to Joliet Catholic. But you'd have to think that head coach Greg Sarver might have never punted in this game had he know that the Hilltoppers would score on their first 4 possessions along with a recovered blocked punt. Which helped put them up 35-0 by half time.

The Hilltoppers who have scored 51 plus points in all but one of their playoff games resembled their 1999 4A State Champion team, as they played one of their best games of the season against a stunned LaSalle-Peru team.

Brad Bourg (sr. QB 6' 180) was the force behind the Hilltoppers' offense, as they pushed closer to winning their 11 State Championship & will now appear in a record 13th title game.

Bourg, while only passing for 4 of 7 with 62 yards & a TD, made his first 3 passes consecutivly. Those three passes where when JC, after two penalties, was faced with a 2 & goal situation from the 32 yard line. Bourg found Bobby Buchanan for a 20 yards reception & a 12 yards touchdown reception, which helped put the Hilltoppers a head 14-0 just before the end of the 1st quarter.

Bourg, would also rush 11 times for 119 yards with 2 TDs, while also catching an 8 yard TD pass from Billy McKeon (so. RB 5'10 170).

Chris Clancy, Mike Hooks & Dan Hrvatin would all contribute rushing TDs for the Hilltoppers. But the real story of the game may have been a steel curtin like defenseof Joliet that recorded a blocked punt, which was returned for a defensive TD an Alex Duffy (jr. DB 5'9 165) interception along with with sacks by Jim Jadron (sr. OL/DL 6'5 295) & Matt Gurka (jr DL 6'3 242).

Joliet stopped the Cavaliers from getting passed mid field on all but 2 drives. On of of those drive was the first play after Joliet's last score. Up 56-0 with just 3 minutes left and a running clock in effect, Steve Zidow (jr. QB 6'1 161) would take matters into his own hands as he busted loose to go 71 yards for the lone LaSalle score of the day.

That run helped bring a still at capcity LaSalle crowd to their feet and give the Cavaliers a total of 137 offensive yards for the day, as well as a standing ovation as an this bunch of over achievers walked off the field one last time as champions in the heart of a town.

by Vincent Johnson

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Related Stories:
-2006 Week #1 recap
-2005 Week #12 recap
-2005 Varsity Roster
-2005 team Preview
-Hill to play Mt. Carmel Again
-2004 5A Finals Preview
-2003 5A Finals Preview
-2003 Week #13 recap
-2003 Week #12 recap
-2003 Varsity Roster

Story Archieves

Photo Archive:
-2006 Week #1
-2005 Week #12
-2005 Week #7
-2004 5A State Finals
-2003 5A State Finals
-2003 Week #13
-2003 Week #12
-2003 Week #9

-More Photo Archieves

Photo Ordering

Team Accomplishments

State Champs
2004 5A, 2003 5A, 2001 5A, 2000 4A, 1999 4A, 1990 4A, 1987 5A, 1981 5A, 1978 4A, 1977 4A, 1976 4A, 1975 4A

Runner up
1996 5A , 1992 5A

Semifinals
2004 5A, 2003 5A, 2001 5A, 2000 4A, 1999 4A, 1996 5A, 1992 5A, 1991 5A, 1990 4A, 1987 5A, 1984 5A, 1981 5A, 1978 4A, 1977 4A, 1976 4A, 1975 4A

Prep Bowl Champs
1979 Runner-up
1998 Runner-up

Conference Champs
East Suburban Catholic
2005, 2004
Catholic Metro (White)
2001, 2000
-Past Confernce Champs

School Facts

Enrollment:
1511.40

Conference:
East Suburban Catholic

Class:
6A

Colors:
Brown/Gold/White

Nickname:
Hilltoppers

Head Coach:
Dan Sharp

Last Season's Record:
11-1

First Varsity Season:
1920

Past Player Watch
-Mike Alstott (92)
-Tom Thayer (79)
-Dan "Rudy" Ruttiger (69)

2005 Schedule

8/26 7:30 @
*Chicago (Marist) 3135.00
9/2 7:30 H
*Lisle (Benet Academy) 2145.00
@ Joliet Memorial
9/9 7:30 @
*Chicago Heights (Marian Catholic) 2765.40
9/16 7:30 H
*Niles (Notre Dame) 2570.70
@ Joliet Memorial
9/23 7:30 H
*Westchester (St. Joseph) 1232.55
@ Joliet Memorial
9/30 7:30 @
*Mundelein (Carmel) 2328.15
10/7 7:30 H
*Arlington Heights (St. Viator) 1742.40
@ Joliet Memorial
10/15 7:00 @
*Chicago (St. Patrick) 3372.60
@ Hanson Stadium
10/21 7:30 H
*LaGrange Park (Nazareth Academy) 1265.55
@ Joliet Memorial

2004 Schedule

8/28 1:30 @ *
LaGrange Park (Nazareth Academy) 763
9/3 7:30 @ *
Arlington
Heights (St. Viator) 1030
@ Forest View
9/10 7:30 H *
Chicago (St. Patrick) 1980
@ Joliet Stadium
9/17 7:30 H *
Chicago (Marist) 0
@ Joliet Stadium
9/25 1:30 @ *
Lisle (Benet Academy) 1294
10/1 7:30 H *
Chicago Heights (Marian Catholic) 1653
@ Joliet Stadium
10/8 7:30 @ *
Niles (Notre Dame) 1566
10/16 1:30 @ *
Westchester (St. Joseph) 0
10/22 7:30 H *
Mundelein (Carmel) 1351
@ Joliet Stadium

8/29 7:30 H *
LaGrange Park (Nazareth Academy) 776
@ Joliet Stadium
9/5 7:30 H *
Arlington Heights (St. Viator) 1004
@ Joliet Stadium
9/12 8:00 @ *
Chicago (St. Patrick) 1910
@ Hanson
9/19 7:30 @ *
Chicago (Marist) 2057
9/26 7:30 H *
Lisle (Benet Academy) 1288
@ Joliet Stadium
10/3 7:30 @ *
Chicago Heights (Marian) 1664
10/10 7:30 H *
Niles (Notre Dame) 1536
@ Joliet Stadium
10/17 7:30 H *
Westchester (St. Joseph) 1008
@ Joliet Stadium
10/24 7:30 @ *
Mundelein (Carmel) 1346

2002 Schedule

8/30 7:30 H
Oak Park (Fenwick) 1138
9/7 1:30 @
Wilmette (Loyola) 2057
9/13 7:30 @ *
Arlington Heights (St. Viator) 999
9/20 7:30 H *
New Lenox (Providence) 1149
9/27 7:00 H
Kansas City (Rockhurst), MO 2817
10/4 7:30 @ *
Kankakee (McNamara) 421
10/12 7:00 @ *
Chicago (Leo) 584
@ Gateley Stadium
10/18 7:30 H *
River Grove (Holy Cross) 994
10/25 7:30 H *
Chicago (Hales Franciscan) 586