![ETHAN St. Rita’s Ethan Middleton rejoices with assistant coach Gus Jones after scoring his second touchdown in a 17-12 victory over Brother Rice on Friday night. Photo by Jeff Vorva](https://southwestregionalpublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/ETHAN-1024x678.jpg)
St. Rita’s Ethan Middleton rejoices with assistant coach Gus Jones after scoring his second touchdown in a 17-12 victory over Brother Rice on Friday night. Photo by Jeff Vorva
Pigskin Wrap: St. Rita trips up Rice
Mt. Carmel, Argo, Evergreen Park and Lyons improve to 2-0
By Jeff Vorva
Staff Writer
Longtime rivals St. Rita and Brother Rice had not played each other since the Chicago Catholic League merged with the East Suburban Catholic Conference.
Brother Rice is in the league’s Blue Division while St. Rita is in the Green, and what had been an annual matchup was put on hold beginning with the 2019 season. The two programs likely they won’t meet in 2023.
So, fans of both teams were able to enjoy what is now a rare battle between the two powers on Sept. 2. A defensive play by St. Rita’s Johnny Schmitt in the closing minutes helped the Mustangs to a 17-12 victory over the Crusaders at Doyle Stadium.
“It was great and it was awesome to play them,” said Schmitt, who also had an interception and stopped a two-point conversion in the game. “Those are some of my guys [at Brother Rice] and they played a great game. I have a lot of respect for them. It was just a great game.”
St. Rita coach Todd Kuska’s son, Joey, played alongside many Crusaders players at St. Linus.
“We were open and they were open and I said, ‘We have to get the game going,'” Kuska said about getting the two programs back together.
The Mustangs (1-1), who suffered a 35-3 loss to Mount Carmel in the season opener, found themselves down 6-0 to Rice (1-1) in the second quarter when junior running back Ethan Middleton ran for a 7-yard score with 5:58 left in the first half.
![Pigskin Wrap: St. Rita trips up Rice 1 JOHNNY scaled](https://www.southwestregionalpublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/JOHNNY-scaled.jpg)
St. Rita’s Johnny Schmitt made three huge defensive plays in a 17-12 victory over Brother Rice Friday night. Photo by Jeff Vorva
“It was amazing, honestly,” Middleton said. “I was smiling and I was running around the whole field and I saw my boy [offensive lineman Collin] Gerger and I said, ‘Gerger, just lift me up.’’’
Middleton also lifted the team when he added a 28-yard touchdown catch from quarterback Jett Hilding in the third quarter.
Kicker Conor Talty added a 20-yard field goal in the fourth.
The St. Rita passing game that mustered just one yard against Mount Carmel had 98 against Brother Rice.
Schmitt’s three big defensive plays and a huge fourth-down stop by Raymone Saffold and Pat Farrell with 4:15 to play helped preserve the victory.
Brother Rice quarterback Ryan Hartz was 19 for 39 for 192 yards. Hartz found Owen Gorman for a 1-yard scoring pass with 21 secionds left in the third quarter.
Marcus Brown also made some periodic appearances under center and threw a scoring pass to Marty O’Keeffe.
Before the game, the Mustangs honored first responders and presented Chicago police officer and St. Rita alum Danny Golden with a check for $7,600 to the Danny Golden Support Fund. Golden was shot and paralyzed during an off-duty incident in Beverly in July.
St. Rita, which finished second in the state in Class 7A last year, hosts the Associated Press’s top-ranked Class 8A team, Loyola, at 7:30 p.m. Friday.
Brother Rice will try to get back on the winning track when it visits Benet on Friday at College of DuPage. Benet is 1-1, with a 21-13 loss to Noblesville, Indiana, and a 24-21 victory against Moline.
![Pigskin Wrap: St. Rita trips up Rice 2 GOLDEN scaled](https://www.southwestregionalpublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/GOLDEN-scaled.jpg)
Danny Golden, a Chicago police officer who was shot in mid-July, was one of the first responders honored before Friday’s game against Brother Rice. Photo by Jeff Vorva
SXU
Saint Xavier opened the season by dropping a 57-0 decision to the NCAA Division II University of Indianapolis on the road Sept. 3.
SXU, ranked 11th in the nation in NAIA by the coaches, couldn’t put a point on the board, but senior wide receiver Justin Pringle had 53 receiving yards, 53 kick return yards and 10 rushing yards for 116 all-purpose yards.
The Cougars (0-1) host St. Thomas (Florida) at noon Saturday. The Bobcats dropped a 31-26 decision to Division I Butler on Sept. 3. C’Quan Jnopierre had seven catches for 197 yards in the loss.
Catholic League/ESCC
St. Laurence (1-1) christened the new turf at Kavanaugh Field with a 46-0 victory over Brooks in a non-conference battle. Aaron Ball had five carries for 138 yards and three touchdowns. Vinny Enoch, Corey Taubr, Danny Fitzpatrick and Nolan Ryan each found the end zone.
David Coffey gave De La Salle a jolt of confidence with punt returns of 61 and 40 yards in a 49-2 non-conference triumph over North Lawndale for coach Marty Quinn’s first victory. Myles Green has three interceptions this year, including a 59-yard pick against Lawndale.
Nazareth, which was ranked No. 1 in Class 5A by the Associated Press after beating previous No. 1 Kankakee, 2-0, in the season opener, dropped a 27-17 decision to Lemont in Week 2. Lemont entered the game ranked fourth in Class 6A.
Mount Carmel, the No. 1-ranked 7A team according to the Associated Press, whipped Phillips, 44-0.
South Suburban Conference
Argo exploded for 29 points in the first half and hung on for a 36-31 non-conference win over Bloom to go 2-0. Johnny Walker had 206 yards on 20 carries and two touchdowns and Davonte Evans had a 75-yard punt return for a touchdown.
Evergreen Park topped Carver, 49-8, to move to 2-0.
Reavis (1-1) crushed Chicago Noble/Rowe-Clark 51-14.
Shepard fell to 1-1 with a 23-22 loss to Plainfield East.
Southwest Suburban Conference
Sandburg is now in an 0-2 hole heading into Friday’s rivalry game with Andrew after dropping a 15-14 game to Glenbrook South. Christian Evans fired a touchdown pass and Katrell Thompson ran for a 6-yard score.
Metro Suburban
Chicago Christian traveled to Ottawa and suffered a 41-0 defeat to Marquette.
Riverside-Brookfield dropped a 35-21 decision to Wauconda.
West Suburban Conference
Lyons improved to 2-0 with a 45-0 triumph over Addison Trail.
Morton dropped a 58-7 game to York.
Chicago Public League
Kennedy beat Kelly, 32-6, and Curie dominated Solorio, 37-0.
Bogan dropped a 27-6 game to Little Village. Schurz beat Catalyst/Maria, 14-6.
Young beat Goode, 23-0. Gage Park dropped a 64-0 decision to Lincoln-Park.
Highland Park beat Hubbard 49-0. Back of the Yards lost to Noble/Golder 26-6.
![Pigskin Wrap: St. Rita trips up Rice 3 HARTZ scaled](https://www.southwestregionalpublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/HARTZ-scaled.jpg)
Brother Rice’s Ryan Hartz gets ready for a pass in the Crusaders’ loss to St. Rita on Sept. 2. Photo by Jeff Vorva
Local News
![PeggyZabicki Peggy Zabicki](https://southwestregionalpublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/PeggyZabicki-1024x768.jpg)
Brother, what a day today is
Spread the love. By Peggy Zabicki Your correspondent in West Lawn 3633 W. 60th Place • (773) 504-9327 . May 24 is National Brothers Day. The word “brother” comes from the Latin root for “frater” and the Proto-Germanic word “brothar” which itself comes from the Proto-Indo-European root “bhrater.” I’m sure everyone already knows that, but…
![MaryStanek Mary Stanek](https://southwestregionalpublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/MaryStanek-768x1024.jpg)
May your Memorial Day be meaningful
Spread the love. By Mary Stanek Your correspondent in Archer Heights and West Elsdon 3808 W. 57th Place • (773) 517-7796 . I hope we all will have a meaningful Memorial Day. Let us remember that this day is set to honor military personnel who died in service of their country. Memorial Day also marks…
![volleyball volleyball](https://southwestregionalpublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/GettyImages-171252499-1024x681.jpg)
Boys Volleyball | Sandburg seeks 26th regional title
Spread the loveBy Randy Whalen Correspondent Coming off the worst season in program history in 2023, Sandburg was not going to settle for anything less than better results this year. Past the midway point of this season, however, the Eagles had a record of 11-8. But they closed the regular season strong, winning 11 of…
![Reavis Baseball Celebrate Reavis players celebrate after the Rams clinched the South Suburban Red title with a 3-0 win over Oak Lawn. Photo by Xavier Sanchez](https://southwestregionalpublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Reavis-Baseball-Celebrate-scaled-e1716250166808-1024x706.jpg)
Baseball | Red-hot Reavis looks to make noise in postseason
Spread the loveBy Xavier Sanchez Correspondent Reavis is determined to send their head coach Don Erickson into retirement on a high note and will head into the postseason red hot and as South Suburban Red champions. The Rams defeated Oak Lawn 3-0 for the second straight day on May 15 to clinch the conference title.…
![College Notebook_Sebastian Castro Richards alum Sebastian Castro is ranked by NFL Draft Live among the top 10 college cornerbacks heading into the 2024 NCAA football season. Photo courtesy of University of Iowa Athletics](https://southwestregionalpublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/College-Notebook_Sebastian-Castro-1024x683.webp)
Sports Bits | Rice boats at Carlyle Lake, Hawkeye DB and Do It Stevie’s Way
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Correspondent Noteworthy sports briefs from May 12-19 • Brother Rice’s No. 1 boat of Joe Hall and Joe Judeh took 31st in the state bass fishing tournament, which wrapped up on May 18 at Carlyle Lake. The Crusaders had a two-day haul of 7 pounds, 12 ounces. The Crusaders’ No.…
![SRP-IMAGE-Logo SRP-IMAGE-Logo](https://southwestregionalpublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/SRP-IMAGE-Logo-1024x560.png)
Nothing NU at SeatGeek
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Correspondent There was speculation that because of the renovations being done at Ryan Field, Northwestern would schedule a few football games at SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview this fall. The Wildcats announced their schedule and no home games are listed at SeatGeek, but the situation is still fluid. They are opting…
![SXU SXU softball players celebrate a victory over Bellevue. SXU photo](https://southwestregionalpublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/SXU.jpg)
College Softball | Close losses at nationals end Saint Xavier’s season
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Correspondent The Saint Xavier softball team played three nailbiters in the opening round of the NAIA Tournament. But the end result was a 1-2 record to eliminate the Cougars from advancing. SXU (28-14) opened the tournament by nipping Bellevue (Nebraska), 5-4, in Sioux City, Iowa on May 13. Alexus Reese…
![NAEHER Red Stars goalie Alyssa Naeher was with the team but did not play at Gotham on May 19. IMAGN photo](https://southwestregionalpublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/NAEHER-1-729x1024.jpg)
Red Stars’ Naeher misses loss to Gotham
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Correspondent The world’s best kept secret is still a mystery. The Chicago Red Stars are not releasing information to the public about the severity of a thigh injury or the status of world-class goalie Alyssa Naeher. What is known is that she did not play in a 2-1 loss to…
![CRRNH_PattiTyznik_102622 CRRNH_PattiTyznik_102622](https://southwestregionalpublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/CRRNH_PattiTyznik_102622-768x1024.jpeg)
Summer calendar filling up quickly
Spread the love. By Patti Tyznik Your correspondent in Clearing and Garfield Ridge (708) 496-0265 • ptyznik@gmail.com . Summer is rapidly approaching, and the neighborhood is geared up for lots of great summer fun and activities. The Midway Chamber of Commerce’s farmer’s market will be opening on Wednesdays at the end of May through September…
Neighbors
![reporter 6-11-24 ol eagle scout photo 6-13 Mayor Terry Vorderer presents a plaque to Michael Reising for earning Eagle Scout recognition. The award was presented during the Oak Lawn Village Board meeting June 11 night. (Photo by Joe Boyle)](https://southwestregionalpublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/reporter-6-11-24-ol-eagle-scout-photo-6-13-1024x683.jpg)
Oak Lawn police target drivers who ignore stop signs
Spread the loveBy Joe Boyle Oak Lawn police are going to crack down on reckless drivers who repeatedly blow stop signs throughout the village. And police will begin enforcing those measures within the next two weeks. The subject was brought up during the Oak Lawn Village Board meeting June 11. Village Manager Tom Phelan said…
![regional 6-10-24 indigent burial2 Student volunteers from Brother Rice, St. Rita and St. Laurence assist in the
burial of 160 indigents last week at Mount Olivet Cemetery. (Photos by Nuha Abdessalam)](https://southwestregionalpublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/regional-6-10-24-indigent-burial2-1024x768.jpg)
Volunteers from Brother Rice, St. Rita and St. Laurence help indigent on their final journey
Spread the loveBy Nuha Abdessalam Father Larry Sullivan, a director of Catholic Cemeteries of the Archdiocese of Chicago and pastor of Christ the King Parish, joined County Board President Toni Preckwinkle and spoke words of love, respect, and God at the 35th annual committal service at Mount Olivet Cemetery. The service on June 6 at…
![dvn 6-14-24 riot fest lineup dvn 6-14-24 riot fest lineup](https://southwestregionalpublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/dvn-6-14-24-riot-fest-lineup-819x1024.jpg)
Riot Fest abandons Chicago park for SeatGeek Stadium
Spread the loveBy Bob Bong Last year, Lyrical Lemonade moved its Summer Smash hip-hop music festival from Chicago’s Douglass Park to Bridgeview’s SeatGeek Stadium. Thousands of fans poured into the stadium at 7100 S. Harlem Ave. over the course of three days and, by most accounts, enjoyed the experience. Summer Smash returned to SeatGeek this…
![regional summerfest 2023 LOAFER SINGER Alyssa Blomberg of the group Ramzi and the Loafers, sings during a performance last year at Orland Park’s inaugural SummerFest. (Photo by Jeff Vorva)](https://southwestregionalpublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/regional-summerfest-2023-LOAFER-SINGER-1024x678.jpg)
Comings & Goings: Orland Park Summerfest returns this weekend
Spread the loveBy Bob Bong Back for a second go round this weekend is the Orland Park Area Chamber of Commerce’s Summerfest. The event combines a carnival, live music, an array of dining options and a car show, at the 153rd Street Metra Station location in Orland Park and will run from Friday, June 14,…
![dvn 6-13-24 township repair cafe for 6-15 dvn 6-13-24 township repair cafe for 6-15](https://southwestregionalpublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/dvn-6-13-24-township-repair-cafe-for-6-15-791x1024.png)
Repair Cafe this Saturday at Township of Lyons HQ
Spread the loveBy Steve Metsch Repair cafes have become quite the thing for the Township of Lyons. So much so that another repair cafe will be offered from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. this Saturday, June 15, at the township office, 6404 Joliet Road in Countryside. A repair café held in May was a smashing…
![dvn 6-13-24 arturo cantu with kids Father’s Day will be especially hard for Jonathan and Kayla, children of the late Arturo Cantu, one of his sisters said. (Supplied photo)](https://southwestregionalpublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/dvn-6-13-24-arturo-cantu-with-kids.jpg)
‘They didn’t have to kill my brother’ – sister of slain Bridgeview man
Spread the loveBy Steve Metsch Arturo Cantu should be celebrating two big events this weekend. He would have celebrated his 40th birthday on June 14. And, a sister said, he would have enjoyed Father’s Day on Sunday, spending time with family and his two young children. Instead, 10 family members and friends gathered in a…
![dvn 2-26-24 sisto brito mugshot Sisto Brito](https://southwestregionalpublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/dvn-2-26-24-sisto-brito-mugshot.bmp)
‘You just learn to live with the pain’
Spread the loveStatus hearing in July for McCook murder By Steve Metsch The attorney representing a Chicago man charged with murdering a Blue Island man in McCook in February told a judge Wednesday there’s been “a significant and outstanding discovery in this matter.” Attorney Damon Cheronis made his comment before Cook County Circuit Court Judge…
![lagrange police logo lagrange police logo](https://southwestregionalpublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/lagrange-police-logo.jpg)
Man shot in La Grange; suspect arrested in Stickney
Spread the loveBy Steve Metsch A man was shot Tuesday afternoon in La Grange, according to a news release received Wednesday from the police department. A suspect has been apprehended, the release said. The shooting victim remains in stable condition at a local hospital, the release said. La Grange Police, working with the Major Case…
![Softball stock Softball stock](https://southwestregionalpublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/stock-softball.jpg)
Softball | Marist will play for state title for fourth straight season
Spread the loveBy Randy Whalen Correspondent Marist returned to the state title game for the fourth straight season with a 7-1 victory over Mundelein in the semifinals, held June 7 at Louisville Slugger Sports Complex in Peoria. The Mustangs (36-2) were making their first appearance at state since 1996. “We have a core group of returners,”…