Joliet Catholic embraces high expectations with loaded schedule ahead this fall

JOLIET – The Joliet Catholic football program didn’t necessarily mind its brief reign as a hunter. That window provided the school an opportunity to fly a bit under the radar while capturing its 14th state championship in 2018.

But there’s little doubt that the Hilltoppers are back to being the hunted.

With an experienced roster, including two University of Illinois recruits, Joliet Catholic is a team to watch out for heading into 2021.

But outside of the brief respite, high expectations aren’t uncommon for the Hilltoppers. Fifth-year head coach and former Joliet Catholic player Jake Jaworski is more than aware of what is being said about a group that showed flashes of its immense potential during a dominating spring season.

“It’s great to be there again. It has kind of taken us a few years to get to that point, but that’s what we’ve been building for,” Jaworski said. “That’s kind of what our program has had a tradition of. It’s good. But the expectations from outside, its not real concerning. Its not something we pay attention to. We just focus on what we can control.”

The “favorite” label is not new to Joliet Catholic, but consecutive losing seasons in 2016 and 2017 put the program in a circumstance it hadn’t been in since the 1940s. Rebounding in a big way to claim a Class 5A state championship in 2018, followed by solid performances in 2019 and this past spring, have helped restore Joliet Catholic to the list of one of the state’s premier programs.

“That is kind of what I experienced as a player here. It’s the standard, its what we want to be, and it is what we are known for,” Jaworski said. “It’s not just the wins and losses, it’s everything that comes with that. And to be able to get it back to where we are competing at the highest level, it’s awesome.”

Jaworski, however, doesn’t downplay the lessons learned in those years of struggle and sees how they’ve helped in guiding them back on the path.

“But there’s a lot to be said for some of those down years, where you learn a lot about coaching, and a lot about your X’s and O’s and how to deal with kids and how to deal with coaches that led to a lot of growth, both personally for me and for the program,” he said.

Hilltoppers linebacker Michael Rouse relishes being a part of the storied program and wants to have his team be a part of the long lineage of success that Joliet Catholic has achieved.

“It means a lot to us,” Rouse said. “None of us really contributed to the last state title. We practiced with them and got to suit up for state. It just means a lot to be a part of a team that started with state and hopefully finishes with it.”

In order to make that dream a reality, Joliet Catholic must first maneuver a minefield-laden schedule just to get the opportunity to compete for a state title. The slate includes nonconference games with Chicago Simeon, powerhouse Cardinal Ritter in Missouri and Crete-Monee surrounded by the gauntlet of games in the CCL/ESCC that includes Brother Rice and new Orange divisional opponents Montini, St. Laurence and Providence.

Instead of blanching when looking at a schedule, Joliet Catholic seems to be genuinely embracing the challenge that lies ahead.

“It helps keep us on our game. And to be the best, you have to beat the best,” Rouse said. “Brother Rice, Cardinal Ritter from Missouri, we start off with Simeon. It’s a lot of competition, so we can prove ourselves.”

Wide receiver Jake Fieldman actually lit up when the schedule was mentioned.

“My first thought was that I’m happy. I’m glad that we have it,” Fieldman said. “I was excited. I couldn’t be more pumped about the schedule.”

Jaworski was a little more outwardly concerned about the schedule his team is about to face but said he’s not surprised his roster isn’t showing any signs of wilting.

“I was talking to some of the guys, and they were like, ‘Great job, Coach,’ and that’s awesome to hear,” Jaworski said. “This is a little bit of a different group that we have. It’s more of a quiet, blue-collar group. There’s not a lot of rah-rah. It’s kind of all business, and I think they are pretty excited about it. Obviously, they have confidence, we have five or six guys that will be three-year starters, and they’ve kind of been through the ringer. We’re a confident group that is excited for the challenge.”