The Saint Ignatius College Prep varsity football team (Chicago, IL) will host a non-conference home game against Niles Notre Dame (Niles, IL) on Friday, November 22, at 7:00 PM.
What: Illinois High School Football
Who: Saint Ignatius College Prep (IL) vs Niles Notre Dame (IL)
When: Friday, November 22, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
Live stream: Watch live on NFHS Network
Comparing Niles Notre Dame and Saint Ignatius College Prep Football Teams: A Season Analysis
The 2024-2025 high school football season provided interesting narratives for Niles Notre Dame and Saint Ignatius College Prep, two Illinois-based teams with identical overall records but distinct patterns of performance. Below is a breakdown of their seasons, highlighting strengths, weaknesses, and key insights from their campaigns.
Season Records and Rankings
- Niles Notre Dame (104th in IL):
- Overall Record: 4-6
- Conference Record: 1-3 (.250)
- Home Record: 2-2
- Away Record: 2-4
- Points Scored: 90
- Points Allowed: 204
- Saint Ignatius College Prep (41st in IL):
- Overall Record: 4-6
- Conference Record: 0-3 (.000)
- Home Record: 3-3
- Away Record: 1-3
- Points Scored: 244
- Points Allowed: 270
While both teams achieved the same win-loss record, Saint Ignatius holds a significantly higher state ranking, likely influenced by their higher scoring average and more competitive performances in non-league games.
Scoring Averages
- Niles Notre Dame:
- Quarterly Scoring:
- Q1: 0.8
- Q2: 4.5
- Q3: 1.3
- Q4: 0.0
- Final Average: 9.0 points per game
- Quarterly Scoring:
- Saint Ignatius College Prep:
- Quarterly Scoring:
- Q1: 6.8
- Q2: 5.5
- Q3: 4.7
- Q4: 6.2
- Final Average: 24.4 points per game
- Quarterly Scoring:
Saint Ignatius consistently demonstrated a more potent offense, outscoring Niles Notre Dame by a wide margin. Their ability to score in every quarter reflects balanced offensive execution, whereas Niles Notre Dame’s struggles, especially in the second half, underscore a key weakness.
Common Opponent Analysis
Both teams faced Brother Rice and Marist, two tough programs, and neither secured a win:
- Niles Notre Dame:
- Lost 42-7 to Brother Rice (10/11/24)
- Lost 34-0 to Marist (10/25/24)
- Saint Ignatius College Prep:
- Lost 24-7 to Brother Rice (10/25/24)
- Lost 37-19 to Marist (10/11/24)
While the outcomes were losses for both teams, Saint Ignatius showed more competitive performances against the same opponents, keeping the margin closer and scoring more points.
Home vs. Away Performance
- Niles Notre Dame:
- Stronger at home (2-2) than away (2-4).
- Saint Ignatius College Prep:
- Balanced at home (3-3) but struggled on the road (1-3).
Both teams performed better on familiar turf, but Saint Ignatius’ ability to secure more home wins provided a slight edge.
League and Non-League Comparison
- League Performance:
- Niles Notre Dame: 1-3
- Saint Ignatius: 0-3
- Non-League Performance:
- Niles Notre Dame: 3-3
- Saint Ignatius: 4-3
Non-league games proved to be more fruitful for both squads. Saint Ignatius, however, displayed better overall success outside of conference play.
Key Takeaways
- Offensive Struggles for Niles Notre Dame:
Their low scoring average and inability to score in the fourth quarter highlight challenges in sustaining drives and finishing games. - Saint Ignatius’ Competitive Edge:
Despite sharing the same overall record, their higher scoring output and competitiveness against tough opponents set them apart. - Room for Improvement:
Both teams need to address defensive lapses, as indicated by their high points allowed totals.
Conclusion
Though Niles Notre Dame and Saint Ignatius College Prep ended with identical 4-6 records, their seasons tell different stories. Saint Ignatius’ higher scoring and more competitive outings give them a slight edge, while Niles Notre Dame’s struggles, particularly on offense, will require focused improvements for future seasons. Both teams have solid foundations to build upon and the potential to rise in Illinois high school football rankings.
