The Princeton (IL) varsity football team will face Montini Catholic (Lombard, IL) in a neutral playoff game on Saturday, November 16, at 1:00 PM. This matchup is part of the “2024 Illinois High School Football Playoff Brackets: IHSA – Class 3A” tournament.

What: Illinois High School Football
Who: Princeton (IL) vs Montini Catholic (IL)
When: Saturday, November 16, 2024
Time: 1:00 p.m. ET
Bracket: 2024 Illinois High School Football Playoff Brackets: IHSA – Class 3A
Live stream: Watch live on NFHS Network

Montini Catholic vs. Princeton: A Season Breakdown and Comparison

As the 2024-2025 high school football season progresses, both Montini Catholic and Princeton have emerged as strong contenders with impressive records. With their high-powered offenses and solid defenses, each team has proven its worth in their respective conferences. Let’s take a deep dive into the teams’ performances, statistics, and what sets them apart heading into their remaining games.

Overall Records and Performance

• Montini Catholic: With a 9-2 record, Montini Catholic has dominated both at home and on the road. The Broncos boast an undefeated record at home (7-0) but have faced challenges away (1-2), despite the team’s overall success. In conference play, they are a perfect 2-0, showcasing their prowess in their league.
• Princeton: On the other hand, Princeton holds a slightly better overall record of 10-1. Like Montini Catholic, Princeton also excels at home with a perfect 5-0 record. Their away games, however, have been a bit more of a mixed bag, with a 5-1 mark. In conference play, they sit at 5-1, which is strong, but not undefeated.

Team Scoring and Offensive Breakdown

• Montini Catholic: Averaging 29.5 points per game, Montini Catholic has been efficient but not explosive on offense. The team’s scoring typically comes in bursts during the first and second quarters, with their highest scoring period being the first (11.8 points). They struggle somewhat in the second half, averaging only 12.8 points after halftime.
  • Rushing Attack: The Broncos’ offense is powered primarily by their rushing game, which averages an impressive 289.1 yards per game. Leading the charge is Casey Etheridge, who accounts for a significant portion of the team’s rushing yards, with a stellar 149.2 yards per game.
  • Passing Game: Though they are much more focused on the ground game, Montini Catholic does have a passing attack that averages 62.0 yards per game, with William Lott contributing to the aerial game with 62.0 yards per contest.
• Princeton: Princeton’s offense, on the other hand, has been far more potent, averaging 41.1 points per game. They start strong, particularly in the second quarter, where they average an impressive 17.7 points. Their scoring drops off slightly in the second half, but they still manage to put up 12.0 points in the final two periods.
  • Rushing Attack: Princeton relies heavily on its rushing game as well, though not quite to the same degree as Montini Catholic. They average 289.1 yards per game rushing, similar to Montini, showing that both teams lean on their ground game to dictate the flow of the game.
  • Passing Game: Unlike Montini, Princeton’s passing game is slightly more productive, with 67.5 yards per game. They don’t rely on it heavily, but it adds a nice balance to their offense.

Defensive Breakdown

• Montini Catholic: Defensively, Montini Catholic is solid, averaging 66.5 tackles per game. Their defense is anchored by Arthur Burden, who leads the team in tackles (8.2 per game) and is also a key presence in pressuring the quarterback with 0.4 sacks per game.
• Princeton: Princeton’s defense is not as prolific in tackles, averaging just 66.5 per game, but they also have a few standout players. Though not as high as Montini’s numbers, they are more than capable of limiting opponents’ scoring and generating key stops when needed.

Key Players to Watch

• Montini Catholic:
  • Casey Etheridge: The senior standout is the heart of the offense, contributing heavily in both rushing yards and points per game. Etheridge’s 149.2 rushing yards per game and 14.9 points per game make him the key player to watch in Montini’s games.
  • Arthur Burden: Defensively, Burden’s leadership in tackles and sacks will be crucial as the team faces tough playoff opponents.
• Princeton:
  • Noah Laporte: A key receiver for Princeton, Laporte leads the team in receiving yards, averaging 44.3 yards per game, providing quarterback William Lott with a reliable target.
  • William Lott: While not a huge passer, Lott’s efficiency in the air and on the ground will be important as Princeton looks to balance its offense.

Playoff Push

Both teams are on a path to the postseason, with Montini Catholic securing a 2-0 playoff record and Princeton boasting an identical 2-0 mark. The two teams have proven their mettle on the field, and with the stakes rising, both will look to continue their impressive campaigns.

• Montini Catholic has shown they are near unstoppable at home, but their away record could be a factor as they head into the playoffs.
• Princeton, with its slightly better overall record and strong performances at home, will look to use their explosive offense and steady defense to power through the postseason.

Conclusion

As the season heads toward its conclusion, both Montini Catholic and Princeton have established themselves as dominant forces. Their rushing offenses are the backbone of their success, while both teams feature key players who can make a difference in the clutch. It will be interesting to see how both squads perform in the postseason and whether they can maintain their momentum through what promises to be a competitive finish.