Football: Bright lights nothing new to Providence
By Tina Akouris takouris@suntimes.com August 15, 2012 10:38PM
Providence's Brandon Price (center). | File photo
Providence
Nickname: Celtics
2011 record: 6-4 (Class 7A)
2011 Catholic League Blue record: 1-3
2012 football enrollment: 1,950.30 (Class 7A)
Head coach: Mark Coglianese (43-28 in six years at Providence)
Offensive coordinator: Bill Green
Defensive coordinator: Scott Peters
Base offense: I/Pro
Base defense: 4-3
2012 SCHEDULE
(Opponent football enrollment in parentheses)
DATE OPPONENT TIME
Aug. 24 Joliet Catholic (1,174.80) 7:30 p.m.
Aug. 31 Minooka (2,557) 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 7 at St. Laurence (1,172) 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 15 at Loyola (3,418.80) 1:30 p.m.
Sept. 21 St. Rita (2,323.20) 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 28 at Brother Rice (2,778.60) 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 5 Lake Forest Academy (0.00) 7 p.m.
Oct. 13 at St. Ignatius (1,382) 7:30 p.m.*
Oct. 19 Mount Carmel (2,491.50) 7:30 p.m.
* at University of Chicago
2011 RESULTS (FINAL RECORD 6-4)
(Opponent final record in parentheses)
DATE OPPONENT RESULT
Aug. 26 at Morgan Park (4-6) W 21-6
Sept. 2 at Minooka (6-4) W 7-0
Sept. 9 vs. St. Laurence (4-5) W 49-31
Sept. 16 vs. Loyola (13-1) L 32-6
Sept. 23 at St. Rita (10-3) L 19-0
Sept. 30 vs. Brother Rice (8-5) L 38-31*
Oct. 8 at Lake Forest Academy (2-7) W 46-14
Oct. 14 vs. St. Ignatius (2-7) W 54-6
Oct. 21 at Mount Carmel (10-4) W 24-18
Oct. 28 at Wheaton Warrenville S. (10-4) L 23-16
* Game went two overtimes
PLAYOFF HISTORY
Appearances: 31
Record: 76-22
Record in championship games: 9-3
Best finishes: State champion in 1987, ’91, ’94, ’95, ’96, ’97, 2001, ’02 and ’04. Runner-up in 1998, 2000 and ’09. Semifinalist in 1999, 2006 and ’08.
Did you know?: Kevin Ward’s brother, Patrick, is a starting offensive lineman at Northwestern and his brother, Ryan, is a freshman offensive lineman at Iowa.
Article Extras
Updated: September 17, 2012 6:06AM
There is a slight worry when Providence takes on Joliet Catholic on Aug. 24 in New Lenox in a nationally televised game on ESPNU, that Celtics players are going to let the hype get to them and possibly lose focus.
But coach Mark Coglianese knows better. The Celtics have been on national television before, playing Mount Carmel in 2006 on ESPN and losing 30-8.
“We open with Joliet Catholic and it’s a big neighborhood-type game,” Coglianese said. “It’s exciting and will be big going into the season. There’s always a concern (for the hype), but when you play at Providence you expect to be in the limelight. Once you have the kickoff and the game starts, that (hype of being on TV) goes away.”
Sure, the game with Joliet Catholic, the first on the new turf at Matt Senffner Field, is for bragging rights around the Joliet/New Lenox area, but it could also signal which way the season goes for the Celtics. Last season Providence didn’t get past the first round of the playoffs, losing to Wheaton Warrenville South in the first round in Class 7A. Providence finished 6-4.
So the straw that should stir Providence’s drink could be tailback Brandon Price, who saw some time at the position last season and had 100 carries for 570 yards and five touchdowns. Price is a 5-foot-8, 170-pound senior.
“He’ll have to make some plays for us,” Coglianese said. “He split time at that position last year and came on strong later in the year.”
The key is going to be defense. Coglianese said the Celtics have some holes to fill, but he will be relying on his defense most of the season.
Among the six returning starters are cousins Brian and Jack Fordon at inside linebacker. The Fordons have played alongside one another for years and are being looked at by several Division I schools. Jack Fordon had 85 tackles last season and Brian had 80.
Also on defense is Kevin Ward, a 6-2, 215-pound defensive back who had 65 tackles and two interceptions a year ago. He also is an All-State track and field athlete for the Celtics.
Two other defensive backs coming back are seniors Tony Petta (54 tackles, 3 interceptions) and Tommy Markosovic (47 tackles, 2 INTs).
State wrestling qualifier Vince Ambrose, a 6-foot, 225-pound senior defensive tackle, hopes to better his numbers of 38 tackles and four sacks from the 2011 campaign.
And one player to watch will be Miles Boykin, a 6-4, 215-pound wide receiver. Boykin is just a sophomore, but he is a stellar athlete and was a starter on the varsity basketball team last year as a freshman.
The obvious thing Providence needs to do to be successful this season is win games, but Coglianese’s take on the upcoming season is simple, too.
“As always, it’s very important to get off to a good start and get a couple of wins early,” Coglianese said.
