2007 Schedule

8/26 12:00 H
Chicago (Mt. Carmel)
@ Soldier Field
8/31 7:30 H
Morris
@ Joliet Memorial Stadium
9/7 7:30 H
*Chicago (St. Patrick)
@ Joliet Memorial Stadium
9/14 7:30 @
*Chicago (Marist)
9/21 7:30 H
*Lisle (Benet Academy)
@ Joliet Memorial Stadium
9/28 7:30 @
*Chicago Heights (Marian Catholic)
10/5 7:30 H
*Niles (Notre Dame)
@ Joliet Memorial Stadium
10/13 1:30 @
*Westchester (St. Joseph)
10/19 7:30 H
*Mundelein (Carmel)
@ Joliet Memorial Stadium
### enrollment
Joliet Memorial Stadium

IHSA 5A Quarterfinals vs.New Lenox (Providence)(12-0)
11/15/2002

Photos to follow

Cleveland (& Defense) Rocks

New Lenox (Bishop Kaffer Stadium) - The song Cleveland Rocks may just have taken on new meaning. Well at least in the halls of Providence Catholic High School, where Friday night, 5'8" 171 lbs, Clay Cleveland sped by the oversized Hilltoppers to racked up over 200 yards rushing & 4 touchdowns against cross-town rivals Joliet Catholic in a 41-0 victory.

In what was suppose to be a defensive rematch after their week 5 meeting, a game that caught national viewership on ESPN 2 during that stations college matchup. Two of the most storied football programs in Illinois, would meet for the second time in 2002, but the outcome would be far different than the 10-2 defensive slugfest that happen back in September.

Once things got underway, may saw the game unfolding just as it had earlier in the season. The Celtics drove down field only to be held to a 27 yard field goal. The Hilltoppers would get the ball and punt it away three downs later.

When Providence started it's next drive they would hand off the ball to running back Clay Cleveland mid way down the field on their drive to start off his highlight reel.

Cleveland would shoot down field from the 46 yard line to give the Celtics a 9-0 lead with 3:44 left in the first. It would be his first of 4 touch downs on the night.

As Providence went in to the second quarter up 9-0 not even the craziest of Celtics fans would have predicted what would unfold in the remainder of this game. While the Celtic defense was hardly allowing the Hilltopper offense any yards, their offense was running rough shod across one of the most respected defenses in the state and would get a running clock with 3:26 left in the thrid quarter.

Cleveland would add 203 yards on the ground on 21 carries & QB Nick Stanton would go 8 for 14 with 159 yards & 2 TDs, connecting with wide receiver Tony Vlahovic 3 times for 74 yards, one of which was a 44 yard TD. The most unbelievable part of the offensive out pouring was that 4 of the five scores came on plays of 10 or more yards. Cleveland's four scores came on runs of 46, 44, 10 & 8. While the Celtics passing attack had strikes of 44 & 34 on the Hilltopper defense.

The Hilltoppers weren't just being stopped by a pumped up Celtic defense though, two lost fumbles at crucial points, a few special team blunders & a slew of penalties didn't help the Hill threaten Celtic territory or stop Providence from holding them scoreless.

The Hilltoppers would finish the game with 92 yards of offense as senior DB Kale Martin picked off a last chance pass by Ryan Quigley at the Celtic 10 yard line as the running clock would expire soon after he was tackled.

The only weakness the Celtics showed for future opponents was their point after kicking as they would finish the night 2 of 6 on PATs.

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
2018 5A, 2007 6A, 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
2011 5A, 2009 5A, 1996 5A , 1992 5A

Semifinals
2018 5A, 2007 6A, 2009 5A, 2011 5A, 2012 5A, 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
CCL/ESCC (White)
2019
East Suburban Catholic
2015*, 2013, 2009, 2008, 2006*, 2005, 2004
Catholic Metro (White)
2001, 2000
-Past Confernce Champs

*co-champs

School Facts

Enrollment:
1504.80

Conference:
East Suburban Catholic

Class:
6A

Colors:
Brown/Gold/White

Nickname:
Hilltoppers

Head Coach:
Dan Sharp

Last Season's Record:
6-4

First Varsity Season:
1920

Past Player Watch
-Josh Fergusin (2011)
-Coby Fleener (2007)
-Mike Goolsby (2000)
-Mike Alstott (1992)
-Tom Thayer (1979)
-Dan "Rudy" Ruttiger (1969)

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

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