THE Varsity Voices: High School Sports Talk

THE Varsity Voices
  • 4.9 (9)
  • Football
  • Weekly

In depth discussions and inside information on different topics pertaining to high school sports in Illinois and across the country, high school football and the Chicago Catholic League.

  1. 1d ago

    2026 IHSA Football Playoff Recap: CCL Road Warriors & Championship Statements

    Which Chicago Catholic League teams made the strongest championship statement in the first round of the 2026 IHSA football playoffs? Joe and Dan Freveletti recap every CCL matchup from October 30–31, breaking down standout players, key performances, season-ending losses, and the road ahead, all through five categories: 🏈 ROAD WARRIORSSt. Laurence, Notre Dame, Nazareth Academy, and St. Francis deliver road playoff victories. We discuss Noah Taylor’s dual-threat performance, Eric Couper and the Dons’ expanding offensive weapons, Nazareth’s defensive resurgence, and St. Francis’ explosive attack. 💪 GROUND AND POUNDBroden Mackert powers Providence Catholic past Kankakee, Brandon Johnson Jr. leads St. Rita against Buffalo Grove, and Montini’s running game and two-way lineman Ralph Haralson help overcome Geneseo. 🚨 CHAMPIONSHIP-LEVEL STATEMENTSMount Carmel, Loyola Academy, IC Catholic Prep, Brother Rice, and Saint Ignatius deliver convincing wins. From Caleb Tucker’s disruption to IC’s defensive touchdowns and Brother Rice’s imposing offensive line, who looks ready for a state title run? ✅ HANDLE YOUR BUSINESSGavin Gardiner leads St. Patrick past Westinghouse, while Jake Thies and Fenwick’s supporting cast take care of Highland Park. 🏁 THE FINAL WHISTLEWe examine the final games and recognize the seasons of DePaul Prep, Joliet Catholic, Marmion, Leo, and Carmel Catholic. Marist’s season ending loss is covered in our Mount Carmel discussion. Plus: IHSA playoff seeding versus MaxPreps rankings, the public-versus-private debate, CCL Blue Division strength, and the next round’s matchups. Who made the biggest statement? Leave your pick in the comments. Subscribe on YouTube or follow THE Varsity Voices wherever you listen. Find us on Substack for additional rankings and analysis, and join us for Prognosticus as we preview the next round. THE Varsity Voices: Chicago Catholic League Sports TalkHosted by Joe and Dan Freveletti. #IHSAFootball #ChicagoCatholicLeague #IllinoisHighSchoolFootball #IHSAPlayoffs #CCLFootball #TheVarsityVoices

    2026 IHSA Football Playoff Recap: CCL Road Warriors & Championship Statements

  2. 4d ago

    IHSA Football Playoffs 2026: All 19 CCL First-Round Previews & Predictions

    The Chicago Catholic League went 12–1 in the opening round. Can that success continue as the playoff matchups get tougher? Joe and Dan Freveletti preview and predict all 19 first-round IHSA football playoff games involving 20 CCL teams on October 30–31, 2026, in this playoff edition of Prognosticus from THE Varsity Voices. We break down key players, strength of schedule, matchup advantages, and our VV Factors, the players or situations that could decide each game. And we don’t agree on everything. Joe and Dan take opposite sides in three of the weekend’s most intriguing matchups:• St. Francis at Kaneland• Providence Catholic at Kankakee• Joliet Catholic at Wheaton Warrenville South Also in this episode:• Marist gets another shot at Mount Carmel after their regular-season meeting.• Can Eric Couper and Peter Panagiotopoulos keep Notre Dame’s passing attack rolling against Grant?• Is St. Laurence a dangerous playoff sleeper against Plainfield South?• How far can IC Catholic, Montini, Brother Rice, Loyola, Fenwick, and Saint Ignatius go?• Does an opening-round bye help teams get healthy or disrupt their rhythm?• Why records and seeds don’t always tell the whole story. From Class 3A through Class 8A, we cover every matchup involving a Chicago Catholic League team this round. Make your picks with us: Which CCL team faces the toughest test, and where will the biggest upset happen? Subscribe on YouTube, follow THE Varsity Voices on Spotify, and join us for our playoff recap, player interviews, and weekly Illinois high school football coverage. Find our power rankings and more CCL coverage on Substack:https://thevarsityvoices.substack.com

    IHSA Football Playoffs 2026: All 19 CCL First-Round Previews & Predictions

  3. 5d ago

    CCL Player Spotlight: Notre Dame WR Peter Panagiotopoulos | THE Varsity Voices

    Get to know Notre Dame College Prep wide receiver Peter Panagiotopoulos in this CCL Player Spotlight from THE Varsity Voices. Joe and Dan welcome the Dons’ record-setting receiver and Chicago Catholic League Purple Division Co-Player of the Year. Peter’s football story includes a standout career at Notre Dame and a longtime friendship with quarterback Eric Couper that helped shape their connection on the field. Follow THE Varsity Voices for Chicago Catholic League football coverage, including Prognosticus previews and predictions, weekly recaps and conversations with the players and coaches behind the games. Enjoy the episode? Share it with a Notre Dame fan and leave a rating to help more high school football fans find the show.

    CCL Player Spotlight: Notre Dame WR Peter Panagiotopoulos | THE Varsity Voices

  4. Oct 26

    CCL Goes 12–1: Opening-Round Recap & Public vs. Private Debate | 2026 IHSA Football Playoffs

    The Chicago Catholic League went 12–1 against public schools in the opening round of the 2026 IHSA football playoffs. What does that say about the league’s strength—and the ongoing public-versus-private debate? Joe and Dan Freveletti recap all 13 games on THE Varsity Voices: High School Sports Talk, covering standout players, key moments, and the storylines heading into the next round. Highlights include:• Dominant wins by St. Francis, Notre Dame and Joliet Catholic.• Road victories for St. Laurence, Carmel Catholic and Nazareth Academy.• DePaul Prep’s overtime escape against Hampshire.• Marist’s response to Neuqua Valley’s comeback.• Henry Miller’s return for Marmion.• Wins for Leo, Saint Patrick and Providence Catholic.• Benet’s heartbreaking 42–38 loss to Moline. Which CCL team delivered the strongest statement? Can the teams that advanced carry this momentum into the next round? Follow THE Varsity Voices on Spotify, share this episode, and leave your take in the episode comments. Watch on YouTube at @THEVarsityVoices, and join us for our next Prognosticus playoff preview!

    CCL Goes 12–1: Opening-Round Recap & Public vs. Private Debate | 2026 IHSA Football Playoffs

  5. Oct 23

    2026 IHSA Football Playoffs: CCL Predictions, Upset Picks & Expanded Bracket Debate

    Could the expanded IHSA football playoffs open the door for a Chicago Catholic League takeover? Joe and Dan Freveletti preview all 13 CCL opening-round games on this playoff edition of Prognosticus, with key players, storylines, VV Factors and predictions. We debate whether regular-season records tell the whole story, discuss the expanded playoff field and disagree on two intriguing matchups: DePaul Prep–Hampshire and St. Laurence–Belleville East. Other storylines include Leo Catholic’s resurgence, Sean Rice’s return for St. Laurence, Benet’s challenge against Moline’s running game and Marist’s opportunity to earn a Mount Carmel rematch. MATCHUPS COVEREDMarmion–North LawndaleLeo–MarengoSt. Francis–Grayslake NorthProvidence–Mount VernonNotre Dame–Maine WestCarmel–Noble/BullsNazareth–ShepardJoliet Catholic–Bradley-BourbonnaisSt. Patrick–CollinsvilleDePaul Prep–HampshireBenet–MolineSt. Laurence–Belleville EastMarist–Neuqua Valley We also look ahead for CCL teams with opening-round byes—and make the case for bringing back Wednesday playoff football. Follow THE Varsity Voices on Spotify and subscribe on YouTube for Chicago Catholic League football previews, recaps and player interviews. Who advances, where will the upsets happen and whose picks will hold up—Joe’s or Dan’s? #IHSAFootball #ChicagoCatholicLeague #IHSAPlayoffs

    2026 IHSA Football Playoffs: CCL Predictions, Upset Picks & Expanded Bracket Debate

  6. Oct 22

    Ty Kennedy: Mount Carmel Football, Team Culture & Recruiting | CCL Player Spotlight

    Mount Carmel junior tight end Ty Kennedy joins Joe and Dan Freveletti for a conversation about finding his place in the Caravan offense, the win over Loyola Academy and what makes Mount Carmel football special. In this CCL Player Spotlight, Ty discusses: • Building chemistry with quarterback Brady Cloherty and playing alongside a talented receiving corps.• Learning from Coach Jordan Lynch, senior leaders and his teammates.• Balancing blocking and receiving and how basketball and lacrosse help his game.• Growing up in Kansas City and modeling his play after Travis Kelce.• College recruiting, his NIU and Northwestern visits, and the importance of academics.• His faith, Mount Carmel’s traditions and the teammate he hopes to be remembered as. Plus, Joe and Dan discover a surprising family connection with their guest! Follow THE Varsity Voices: High School Sports Talk for Chicago Catholic League football interviews, weekly recaps, Prognosticus previews and predictions, and power rankings. Read more on Substack:https://thevarsityvoices.substack.com #TyKennedy #MountCarmelFootball #CCLFootball

    Ty Kennedy: Mount Carmel Football, Team Culture & Recruiting | CCL Player Spotlight

  7. Oct 20

    2026 GCAC Girls Flag Football State Finals Recap | Marist Takes 4th

    Two Girls Catholic Athletic Conference teams reached the final eight of the 2026 IHSA Girls Flag Football State Tournament—and Marist brought home the program’s first state trophy. In this episode of THE Varsity Voices, we recap the GCAC playoff action from October 12–18, including: 🏈 Marist defeating Homewood-Flossmoor to win its sectional🏈 Saint Ignatius beating Kenwood for its first sectional championship and state-tournament berth🏈 Marist winning an all-GCAC state quarterfinal against Saint Ignatius🏈 St. Charles North ending Marist’s 10-game winning streak in the semifinals🏈 Lyons edging Marist, 21–19, in the third-place game🏈 Marist completing a historic 19–5 season with a fourth-place finish in Illinois We highlight the players who helped fuel these postseason runs, including Alia Rowles, Bella Lacy, Rose Hart, Mary Withers, Lilli Lynch, Leah Rice, Rose Cummings, Josie Borkowski and more. We also review the final Illinois statistical leaderboards and recognize GCAC standouts such as Giuliana Lee, Allie Sheldon, Madison Rathunde, McKenzie Saffold and Stella Cooney. Congratulations to Marist on its first state trophy, Saint Ignatius on its historic postseason run and St. Charles North on completing an undefeated state-championship season. Subscribe on YouTube and follow THE Varsity Voices on Spotify for more coverage of girls high school sports throughout Chicagoland. #GirlsFlagFootball #IHSA #GCAC

    2026 GCAC Girls Flag Football State Finals Recap | Marist Takes 4th

  8. Oct 19

    Chicago Catholic League Football Week 9 Recap: Mount Carmel Ends Loyola’s Perfect Season

    Mount Carmel ends Loyola’s perfect season, Brother Rice rolls past Marist, and the Chicago Catholic League heads into the IHSA football playoffs with plenty to discuss. Joe and Dan Freveletti recap all twelve Week 9 CCL football games, breaking down the standout players, decisive plays, division championships and postseason outlook across Illinois high school football. In this episode:🏈 Mount Carmel beats Loyola 38–21, creating a three-way share of the Blue Division championship with Loyola and Brother Rice.🏈 Brother Rice overwhelms Marist 49–6 as freshman quarterback Sam Holcomb throws four touchdown passes.🏈 IC Catholic Prep shuts out Joliet Catholic 6–0, with Will Schmidt and Jaden Penna delivering key interceptions.🏈 Montini rallies past St. Francis 28–24 behind Luca Florio’s late touchdown.🏈 St. Rita edges Nazareth 17–14 on a touchdown catch by Vinny Stubitsch with 46 seconds remaining.🏈 St. Ignatius defeats Providence Catholic 53–33, combining a powerful rushing attack with a dominant second-half defensive effort.🏈 Jake Thies scores all four Fenwick touchdowns in a 28–7 win over Carmel Catholic.🏈 Saint Patrick holds off Benet, Notre Dame College Prep erupts against Marmion, and Leo captures the Red Division championship.🏈 St. Laurence rallies past DePaul Prep, and Saint Viator closes its season with a victory over De La Salle. Plus, we discuss playoff opponents, opening-round byes, potential postseason sleepers and which teams look ready for a deep run. 🐾 Dawg of the Week: Mount Carmel’s Tavares Harrington earns the honor for his outstanding defensive impact against Loyola. We also recognize this week’s Dawg Pound standouts. Which CCL team is best positioned to make a deep playoff run—and which team could surprise people? Subscribe on YouTube, follow THE Varsity Voices on Spotify, and share this episode with another high school football fan. Visit THE Varsity Voices on Substack for team and player power rankings and more analysis. THE Varsity Voices: Chicago Catholic League Sports TalkHosted by Joe and Dan Freveletti #ChicagoCatholicLeague #IllinoisHighSchoolFootball #IHSAFootball #CCLFootball #THEVarsityVoices

    Chicago Catholic League Football Week 9 Recap: Mount Carmel Ends Loyola’s Perfect Season
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In depth discussions and inside information on different topics pertaining to high school sports in Illinois and across the country, high school football and the Chicago Catholic League.

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