Chicago Catholic League Teams Eye Playoff Spots as Season Nears End

With just three weeks remaining in the regular season, several teams in the Chicago Catholic League and East Suburban Catholic Conference are in contention for spots in the 2025 Illinois High School Association (IHSA) football playoffs. As it stands, six wins guarantee a playoff berth, while five wins may qualify a team for an at-large selection, depending on their playoff points. Teams with more victories from their opponents will secure priority in at-large considerations.

Teams Securing Automatic Bids

Two teams have already locked in their playoff positions. Mount Carmel boasts a perfect record of 6-0 and has accumulated 33 playoff points. The three-time defending state champions in 7A solidified their playoff status with a recent victory over Brother Rice. A win against Loyola in Week 9 will enable Mount Carmel to clinch the CCL/ESCC Blue Division title.

Similarly, Montini has also achieved an automatic bid with a record of 6-0 and 24 playoff points. The Broncos, currently ranked No. 1 in 4A, recently triumphed over Carmel and can secure the White Division by defeating St. Laurence in their next game.

At-Large Contenders and Their Prospects

Several teams have positioned themselves for at-large bids, including Fenwick, which stands at 5-1 with 29 playoff points. The Friars secured their spot by overpowering St. Laurence 41-7 and can earn an automatic berth with a win against Benet.

Similarly, Nazareth holds a 5-1 record, also with 29 playoff points. The Roadrunners, three-time defending champions in 5A, have scored an impressive 48 points in their last two games. They will face De La Salle in Week 7.

Currently, Brother Rice is also in a solid position with a 5-1 record and 26 playoff points. Despite a recent loss to Mount Carmel, the Crusaders need to defeat St. Ignatius in Week 9 to maintain their playoff aspirations.

Other teams with four wins are in a critical phase, including St. Laurence (4-2, 34 playoff points) and Carmel (4-2, 32 playoff points). St. Laurence boasts a strong non-divisional record, while Carmel will need to rebound from a recent loss to Montini to keep their playoff hopes alive.

Teams in Need of Wins

Several teams find themselves in precarious positions with three wins. Benet (3-3, 29 playoff points) faces a challenging path ahead, needing to win at least two of their remaining games against strong opponents. Marmion (3-3, 25 playoff points) also requires victories to stay in contention after suffering a setback against Marian Catholic.

Additionally, St. Rita (2-4, 34 playoff points) is in dire need of three consecutive victories to remain in playoff consideration. The Mustangs will face formidable challenges against teams like Leo and St. Patrick in their upcoming fixtures.

Meanwhile, teams with a single win or less are quickly running out of time. Joliet Catholic (2-4, 33 playoff points) needs a strong finish against tough opponents, while De La Salle remains winless at 0-6 and must turn things around quickly to avoid a winless season.

As the regular season progresses, the playoff picture will continue to evolve, with teams vying for a coveted place in the postseason. The next few weeks will be crucial, and fans are eagerly anticipating which teams will rise to the occasion and secure their spots in the playoffs.