Justin Pringle, No. 6, scored the first TD of the year for St. Xavier in a 31-10 loss Saturday. Photo by Jeff Vorva
Pigskin Wrap: No panic for SXU after tough start to season
By Jeff Vorva
Staff Writer
Saint Xavier is off to a not-so-good start, but veteran coach Mike Feminis is not panicking.
The Cougars were ranked 11th in the nation in the NAIA coach’s poll and are 0-2 after a 31-10 home-opening loss to St. Thomas (Florida) on Sept. 10.
That followed a 57-0 loss to NCAA Division II power Indianapolis to open the season.
The Cougars have some work to do, but the program is familiar with slow starts because Feminis believes in stacking his non-conference schedule with strong teams.
“That’s the way I was brought up,” Feminis said. “I don’t believe 50-0 wins do anything for me. We play the schedule we play and sure, it hurts when you lose. But ultimately the season starts when the conference season starts.
“You win the conference, you get in the playoffs and you never know. Right now, we have to get some guys healthy and get some guys to step up in their absence.”
One of the most noticeable injuries was a preseason leg injury to running back Amari Venerable, who ran for 872 yards in 2021. In their first two games, the Cougars have netted minus-4 rushing yards.
Against St. Thomas. Stuart Ross passed for 313 yards. Receiver Justin Pringle caught eight passes for 138 yards and the first Cougars TD of the year. Former St. Rita star and Evergreen Park resident Joe Polselli grabbed nine passes for 106 yards.
SXU hosts Siena Heights (1-0) at noon Saturday in a Mid-States Football Association crossover game. Siena Heights opened the season with a come-from-behind 28-24 win over Olivet Nazarene on Sept. 3.
SouthWest Suburban Conference
Sandburg trailed 28-7 at halftime to District 230 rival Andrew Sept. 9 in Orland Park, and twice shaved the lead to one score before falling 42-27 in a non-conference battle.
The Eagles (0-3) lost starting quarterback Christian Evans to a season-ending leg injury in a 15-14 loss to Glenbrook South on Sept. 2 and sophomore Anthony Shelton stepped made his first career start against the Thunderbolts (2-1). He was 12 of 24 for 218 yards and four touchdowns, including three to sophomore Charlie Snorek in the second half.
The first TD was unique. Shelton hit Ethan Highfill, who fumbled the ball before crossing the plane; however, senior wide receiver Walter Davis recovered in the end zone for the score.
Running back Katrell Thompson also put up some big numbers with 129 yards in 22 carries.
With teams such as Bolingbrook, defending Class 8A state champions Lockport, Lincoln-Way East and Homewood-Flossmoor on the horizon, a repeat for a playoff bid is going to be a steep climb for the Eagles. Last year, though, they opened the season 1-4 and ran the table in the regular season to qualify for the playoffs.
“We led a good chunk of the game against Glenbrook South and we had a rivalry game against Andrew and they were not results we wanted,” said Eagles coach Troy McAllister. “We’re going to come back. We’re going to keep playing and pushing to get a win each and every week.”
Stagg’s two-game winning streak came to an end with a 49-3 loss to Lincoln-Way East, which was ranked second in the Associated Press Class 8A poll.
CCL/ESCC
Brother Rice (2-1) eked out a 13-10 victory over Benet at the College of DuPage in Glen Ellyn. Ryan Hartz threw for 149 yards and touchdowns to Ricky Taylor and Randall Nauden. Jake Dugger had a key interception for the Crusaders.
Defending Class 4A state champion Joliet Catholic Academy won its 24th straight game with a 47-0 win over host De La Salle (1-2). It was a tight game in the first half with Joliet leading 12-0. Myles Green had nine tackles for De La Salle while Tristin Hynes and Angelo Chavarria each had eight.
St. Ignatius beat St. Laurence (1-2) 19-14 in Burbank. Aaron Ball ran for 64 yards and a touchdown for the Vikings while Dominic Berchman scooped up a fumble and ran five yards for a score.
Loyola, ranked first in the state in Class 8A, beat host St. Rita (1-2) 34-14.
Mount Carmel (3-0) slammed Notre Dame, 42-0.
West Suburban Conference
Ryan Jackson’s touchdown and a Danny Montesano interception in the end zone helped Lyons (3-0, 1-0) nip Hinsdale Central, 10-7 in a Silver Division game. It was the Lions’ first win over the Red Devils since 2013.
Morton (1-2, 1-0) smoked Addison Trail 37-7 in the Gold division. Morton also announced that its game at Leyden will be played on Thursday at Triton Junior College. It was originally slated for Friday.
South Suburban Conference Red
Evergreen Park improved to 3-0, 1-0 as running back Antonio Clay-Jones scored three touchdowns in a 28-23 victory over Oak Lawn (1-2, 0-1).
Reavis (2-1, 1-0) snapped Argo’s two-game winning streak with a 35-28 victory in Summit. Before the game, Argo officials dedicated the sidelines to former head coach Jim Innis in a ceremony.
Hillcrest beat Shepard (1-2) 31-20, in a crossover game.
Metro Suburban
Riverside-Brookfield beat Chicago Christian, 28-7. Christian Flutman hit Adam Stuursma for a score in the fourth quarter for the Knights (1-2). Stuursma had two receptions for 78 yards.
Chicago Public League
Catalyst/Maria beat Noble/UIC 30-6. Solorio beat Tilden in a forfeit.
Collins beat Kelly 42-0. Curie dropped a 44-12 decision to Westinghouse. Lane beat Hubbard 35-0. Englewood STEM beat Gage Park 46-0.
Local News
Boys Volleyball | Chicago Christian finishes April strong, takes second at Ridgewood Invitational
Spread the loveBy Xavier Sanchez Correspondent A busy and largely successful final seven days of April saw Chicago Christian briefly climb back to the .500 mark after a tough first month of the season. The Knights (11-12, 4-4 Chicagoland Christian Conference) have won seven of their past 10 matches, all of which were played over…
Work moving forward at Marquette Park
Spread the love. Kathy Headley Your correspondent in Chicago Lawn and Marquette Manor 6610 S. Francisco • (773) 776-7778 . In the March 29 edition of the Greater Southwest News-Herald, I wrote a story about a town hall meeting at Marquette Park, we learned of some of the upcoming plans the Park District has for…
Sophia Smith’s brace sinks Red Stars
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Correspondent Home has not been that sweet lately for the Chicago Red Stars. The team lost its second straight game at SeatGeek Stadium with a 2-0 setback to Portland in front of an announced crowd of 4,443 on April 27. Portland star Sophia Smith scored in the 10th and 26th…
Nazareth Academy celebrates ‘special talent’ J.J. McCarthy in NFL Draft
Spread the loveBy Steve Metsch Dennis Moran has no doubts that J.J. McCarthy – the former Nazareth Academy quarterback who is now with the Minnesota Vikings – will succeed in the National Football League. Moran was among about 60 or so Nazareth Academy fans, friends and coaches who gathered Thursday night at The Stadium Club…
Brother Rice names Al Perez next soccer coach
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Correspondent A few new coaches are dotting the area high school athletic scene. One of the more notable hires was Brother Rice bringing Al Perez aboard as the soccer coach. Perez led Chicago Public League power Washington to a Class 2A state championship in 2013, a fourth-place finish in 2015…
Police Council rallies to save ShotSpotter
Spread the love. By Alexis Bocanegra Your correspondent in Clearing and Garfield Ridge (773) 949-1509 • grcl.alex23@gmail.com . Chicago Lawn (8th) District Police Council members Mark Hamberlin, Al Cacciottolo and Jason Huff have created an online petition to save ShotSpotter. As you may have read in the Clear-Ridge Reporter & NewsHound back in March, Mayor…
Capacity crowd speaks out against Evergreen Park dispensary
Spread the loveBy Joe Boyle Additional chairs had to be brought out to seat an overflow crowd of Evergreen Park residents who attended a meeting April 15 regarding a proposed cannabis dispensary for the village. And many who were in attendance voiced their opposition to having a dispensary in Evergreen Park. Most of the people cited…
Countryside puts dog park on hold, will require leashes in two parks
Spread the loveBy Steve Metsch The city of Countryside has put on hold building a dog park, but canines and their owners are still in store for a treat. The city council has unanimously approved a plan to permit dogs in City Park and Countryside Park this year. Previously, they were not allowed in the…
Bridgeview approves auto repair shop
Spread the loveMoves up time for May 1 village board meeting By Steve Metsch Bridgeview is getting a new automotive repair shop. The village board at its April 17 matinee meeting approved a special use permit that will allow a repair shop at 9010 S. Beloit Ave. There was no discussion among trustees. The board…
Neighbors
‘A man of honor, a beacon of kindness’
Spread the love. Chicago weeps for Officer Luis Huesca . By Tim Hadac People across the Southwest Side shed tears earlier this week, as throngs of police officers and other filled the St. Rita of Cascia Shrine Chapel at 77th and Western for a funeral Mass for CPD Officer Luis M. Huesca. Officer Huesca was…
Archer Manor Little League starts its 2024 season
Spread the love. Sunny skies and mild temperatures greeted the boys and girls, moms and dads, umpires and coaches, and everyone else participating in Archer Manor Little League’s Opening Day parade and ceremonies at Archer Park. Since 1952, AMLL has provided athletic opportunities for thousands of boys and girls in Archer Heights, West Elsdon, Central…
Dread over car drifters on streets
Spread the love. Reckless drivers take over SW Side intersections . By Tim Hadac At the April meeting of the Garfield Ridge Neighborhood Watch, a police officer admitted that the drag racing/drifting phenomenon seen and heard in the Midway area in recent years “probably will increase, but we hope not.” The admission was triggered by…
Don’t raise pilots’ retirement age, García says
Spread the love. From staff reports U.S. Rep. Jesús “Chuy” García (D-4th), senior member of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, recently led a letter joined by 121 Members of Congress urging House Democratic leadership to reject any changes to the pilot retirement age in a final version of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reauthorization bill.…
CTA launches ‘chat’ feature on website
Spread the love. From staff reports Artificial Intelligence has made another step forward at the Chicago Transit Authority. CTA officials recently launched the “Chat with CTA” chatbot, a new virtual automated service featured on transitchicago.com. The communication tool allows riders to report issues, provide feedback and receive answers in real-time. Additionally, it provides the CTA with customer…
New effort to aid kids with disabilities
Spread the love. From staff reports A new grant program aimed at providing financial assistance to families of children with disabilities was launched recently by Mayor Brandon Johnson, in partnership with the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities and Ada S. McKinley Community Services. Children with disabilities is a population disproportionately affected by the pandemic,…
Dart warns of Sheriff’s Office imposters
Spread the love. From staff reports Cook County Sheriff Thomas J. Dart recently alerted the public of an uptick in telephone and email phishing scams in which scammers identify themselves as a Sheriff’s Office employee in an attempt to defraud victims. Scammers are using the actual names and respective titles of Sheriff’s Office employees to…
It’s ‘Batter up!’ time in West Lawn
Spread the love. Peggy Zabicki Your correspondent in West Lawn 3633 W. 60th Place • (773) 504-9327 . It must be May because baseball season is here. I recently reported on the West Lawn Little League, whose 2024 season is now underway. Another West Lawn youth athletic association is Midway Baseball Softball Association. Their teams…
Cinco de Mayo, here we come
Spread the love. By Mary Stanek Your correspondent in Archer Heights and West Elsdon 3808 W. 57th Place • (773) 517-7796 . It’s time to bring out the Corona, Tecate, Modelo or Dos Equis, along with a few limes. Heck, maybe even bring out the Patrón! It is Cinco de Mayo this Sunday, translated to…
Softball | Jocelyn Hovanec scores two runs, Ks 12 in Chicago Christian win
Spread the loveBy Xavier Sanchez Correspondent Chicago Christian is working to find its footing in the inaugural season of the Chicagoland Christian Conference. The Knights entered this week 6-8 overall and 4-6 in the CCC, putting them in fifth place with just two conference games to play among their final seven regular-season contests. The Knights…