It seems somehow fitting that the Catholic League Blue, widely considered one of the best conferences in the state, should have three teams share the league championship.
As a result of Mount Carmel’s 38-21 victory over Loyola on Oct. 16 in Wilmette, the Ramblers (8-1 overall), Caravan (7-2) and Brother Rice (7-2) all ended up 2-1 in the conference.
Loyola beat Brother Rice 27-24 in Week 4, while the Crusaders defeated Mount Carmel 35-24 in Week 6.
In Mount Carmel’s win against the Ramblers, quarterback Brady Cloherty threw four TD passes, including two to Duran Sims (13 yards and 69 yards). Cloherty also connected with Marshaun Thornton on a 99-yard TD strike as well as finding Quentin Burrell for a 27-yard TD toss.
Nathan Samuels added a 1-yard scoring run while Ryan Scanlan drilled a 39-yard field goal in the second quarter that gave the Caravan a 17-7 advantage.
Mount Carmel is the No. 8 seed in Class 8A and will play either Lyons (6-3) or Metea Valley (3-6) in the first round.
Downers Grove South 47, Morton 7: Matthew Wheeler scored on a 40-yard run for visiting Morton (1-8, 1-5 West Suburban Gold).
Evergreen Park 34, Eisenhower 7: Brady Bruen scored on a pair of 1-yard runs for host Evergreen Park (7-2, 4-2 South Suburban Red). Tyler Phelps scored on an 11-yard run as well as a 19-yard pass from Bruen. Gavin Wheeler (4-yard run) also scored for the Mustangs.
EP is the No. 7 seed in the north half of Class 4A and will play either Dixon (6-3) or Plano (2-7) in the first round.
Homewood-Flossmoor 49, Andrew 7: Luke Lewandowski had a 15-yard TD run for host Andrew (2-7, 1-4 SouthWest Suburban). The Thunderbolts are seeded 46th in Class 7A and play at 19th seed Buffalo Grove (6-3) in the opening round.
Lemont 38, Oak Lawn 26 Danny Strelow scored on runs of 54 and 13 yards for visiting Oak Lawn (7-2). The Spartans are the No. 5 seed in the north half of Class 6A and will play either Lindblom (5-4) or Simeon (4-5) in the first round.
Richards 46, Argo 14: Eric Jacobs scored on runs of 8 and 33 yards while also throwing a 5-yard TD pass to Griffin Deuter for visiting Richards (7-2, 6-0 South Suburban Red). Jordan Lewis (27-yard run), Marquise Charles (3-yard run) and Devin Johnson (2-yard run) also scored, while Anthony Allen recovered a punt that was blocked by Messiah Welch in the end zone for a touchdown.
The Bulldogs are seeded 11th in Class 7A and will face either Niles North (6-3) or Rich (3-6) in the first round.
Chance Sanders connected with Tru McGivens on TD passes of 76 and 25 yards for Argo (0-9, 0-6).
St. Laurence 10, DePaul Prep 7: Keynan Morgan contributed a TD run and Evan Panther booted a 43-yard field goal for visiting St. Laurence (3-6, 1-2 Catholic League White). The Vikings are seeded 39th in Class 7A and play at 26th seed Belleville East (5-4) in the opening round.
Shepard 47, Reavis 7: Marrion McChristian, Elijah Motley and Aarien Lee all scored rushing touchdowns for visiting Shepard (5-4, 3-3 South Suburban Red). Brendin Thomas had a receiving TD while Evan Heiden chipped in a pick-six for the Astros.
Shepard is seeded 13th in the north half of Class 6A and hosts 20th seed Nazareth (4-5) in the opening round.
Dardan Nreci scored on a 1-yard run for Reavis (4-5, 2-4). The Rams are the 36 seed in Class 7A and play at 29th seed Elgin (5-4) in the opening round.
York 16, Lyons 14: EJ Kuhlman (16 carries, 78 yards) scored on an 8-yard run and Brendan McCabe had a 19-yard TD run for visiting Lyons (6-3, 3-3 West Suburban Silver). The Lions are seeded 21st in Class 8A and host 44th seed Metea Valley (3-6) in the opening round.