It was billed as the “Super Bowl of Will County,” this Friday night showdown between No. 4 Providence and No. 2 Joliet Catholic at Memorial Field in Joliet.
The main parking lot was full three hours before kickoff, and by game time a crowd in excess of 12,000 filled the bleachers and spilled out onto the track around the field.
Ex-Bears guard Tom Thayer and Atlanta Falcons defensive back Ray Buchanan were on the sidelines to check this one out.
What everyone saw was defensive back Mark Reiter put on a show in leading Providence to a 10-2 victory over the Hilltoppers.
Reiter had two interceptions that the 6-foot-2-inch, 183-pound senior returned for a total of 69 yards.
Three plays after Reiter returned a punt 52 yards, defending Class 6A champion Providence (4-0, 2-0 in the Catholic Red) scored the game’s only touchdown.
Quarterback Nick Stanton connected on a 33-yard pass to running back Clay Cleveland (28 carries, 128 yards) with 8 minutes 28 seconds left in the fourth quarter.
Reiter’s first pickoff led to Andrew Hopkins’ 35-yard field goal late in the first quarter.
The second came in the Celtics’ end zone with 34 seconds left in the game.
“I didn’t want to drop that one,” Reiter said. “I knew the game was over if I caught it.”
Defending Class 5A champion Joliet Catholic (3-1, 1-1) scored on a safety when Providence snapped a punt into its own end zone midway through the third quarter that was covered by the Celtics’ punter.
“This is a confidence-booster for Providence,” Reiter said.
“There were a lot of doubters out there, and we didn’t get a lot of respect about this game. But our defense came ready to play.”
Providence coach Matt Senffner could barely be heard above the din of an on-field student celebration.
“What a great day for high school football,” Senffner said. “Our alumni, Joliet Catholic’s alumni, the whole area turned out for this one. This game was won by big playmakers, and Mark Reiter is a big-time player.”
Despite the loss, Joliet Catholic coach Dan Sharp could appreciate the special evening.
“With so much intensity and emotion and so many people here, both sides conducted themselves with class,” Sharp said.
“We played flawless defense except for one play on third-and-26. We moved the ball, but both defenses stepped it up in the red zone.
“There’s a pretty good chance we could meet up again in the playoffs since we’re both 5A this year.
“If that happens get ready for another spectacle.”
