SXU coach Mike Feminis is two wins away from No. 300. Photo by Jeff Vorva
Pigskin Wrap: St. Xavier wins, moves Feminis within two of milestone
By Jeff Vorva
Staff Writer
Saint Xavier lost its first two games by a combined score of 88-10.
The last thing the Cougars needed was for Siena Heights to come into Chicago and make itself at home.
But the Saints tried, scoring on their first drive and putting the Cougars in a hole.
This time, however, Saint Xavier responded quickly with a score and went on to win, 24-21, at Bruce R. Deaton Memorial Field on Sept. 17 in a Mid-State Football Association crossover.
The win gives veteran coach Mike Feminis his 298th career triumph.
“I’ve been surrounded by a lot of good coaches and really good players,” Feminis said in a postgame video recorded by the school. “It also means I’m getting older.”
Some of those players helped make the comeback for the Cougars (1-2) a reality. That included Defensive standout Kevin Countryman, who had two interceptions including a 69-yard pickoff return for a touchdown with 1:16 left in the first half.
Stuart Ross threw for 191 yards with Justin Pringle nabbed nine passes for 61 yards. Evergreen Park native and St. Rita grad Joe Polselli had four catches including a touchdown.
The Cougars are still looking for their running game. Last year’s leading rusher, Amari Venerable, is injured and might return in October. In three games, the Cougars have 72 rushing attempts for 1 yard.
There were blemishes against Siena Heights, but Feminis is happy with the win.
“A win’s a win and we needed that really bad,” he said. “We have a lot of guys hurt and a lot of guys stepped up. We’re still a work in progress.”
The Cougars have another crossover game at St. Francis (Indiana) at 5 p.m. Saturday. St. Francis (2-0) is ranked 20th in the nation in NAIA play by the coaches and beat its first two opponents by a combined score of 103-33.
Chicago Catholic League
St. Laurence topped Montini 20-14 in an Orange battle as Aaron Ball had 183 yards rushing, including a 20-yard scoring run. Rob Francis added five carries for 70 yards as the Vikings (2-2, 1-0) racked up 337 yards on the ground. Matty Diaz kicked a pair of field goals.
St. Rita (2-2, 1-0) dominated in a 41-12 victory over Benet in the Green.
Since beating 2021 Class 5A runner-up Kankakee in the season opener, Nazareth has lost three straight, the latest a 22-17 setback to Notre Dame in the Green. Quarterback Logan Malachuk threw for 192 yards and two touchdowns and ran for 48 yards. Jimmy Pemley caught seven passes for 119 yards.
De La Salle opened the White season with a 33-15 loss to Fenwick at Triton College. Josue Hernandez had 76 yards and a 15-yard run while Evan Smith recovered a fumble and ran it 22 yards for a core. Trystan Hynes racked up 11 tackles for the Meteors (1-3, 0-1).
Loyola, ranked first in the state by the Associated Press in Class 8A, put up huge offensive numbers as the Ramblers beat Brother Rice (2-2, 0-1) in a Blue showdown. Crusaders quarterback Ryan Hartz threw three TD passes, including two to Owen Gorman.
Mount Carmel, ranked first in the state by the Associated Press in Class 7A, flexed its muscles with a 42-7 win over Marist in the Blue. Blainey Dowling threw for 231 yards for the Caravan.
SouthWest Suburban
Sandburg fell to 0-4, 0-1 with a 41-14 Blue loss at Bolingbrook. The Eagles kept it close, leading 7-6 after the first period and trailing 12-7 at halftime but the Raiders ran away with the game in the second half. Sophomore quarterback Anthony Shelton ran for two touchdowns for the Eagles.
Stagg is finding the competition in the SWSC to be a bit tougher than what it faced in its non-conference schedule. The Chargers suffered their second consecutive blowout loss, this one 41-0, to Lincoln-Way Central on Sept. 16 in the SouthWest Suburban Red opener for both teams. Stagg had zero net yards in the first half and midway through the third quarter had yet to pick up a first down.
The Chargers opened the season 2-0 with victories over South Suburban Red teams Reavis (14-8) and Oak Lawn (42-20), then fell to SouthWest Suburban Blue powerhouse Lincoln-Way East, 49-3, in Week 3.
West Suburban
Down 7-0 early, Lyons (4-0, 2-0) came back for a 38-13 Silver victory over Oak Park-River Forest to set up a huge Saturday showdown hosting York (4-0, 2-0).
Morton knocked off Leyden, 30-29, at Triton College in the Gold to improve to 2-2, 2-0.
South Suburban Red
Argo improved to 3-1 with an 18-7 victory over Tinley Park in a crossover.
Reavis (3-1, 2-0) beat Shepard, 45-32. Quran McClellan threw for 183 yards and Elijah Tyson ran for 102 for Shepard (1-3, 0-1).
Metro Suburban
Riverside-Brookfield (3-1, 2-0) dominated in a 35-7 triumph over Aurora Christian in a Red contest.
Wheaton St. Francis, ranked third in the state in Class 4A by the Associated Press, beat Chicago Christian, 56-0. The Knights fell to 1-3, 0-2.
Chicago Public League
Goode came up with a 19-8 victory over Noble/Comer.
Catalyst Maria won a 2-0 forfeit over UCCS/Woodlawn.
Curie lost, 40-0, to power Morgan Park. Hubbard lost, 50-0, to Kenwood and faces Morgan Park on Saturday.
Bogan dropped a 35-12 decision to Agricultural Science.
Raby beat Kennedy 36-30.
Local News
Navajo Hills residents want to save threatened cul-de-sacs
Spread the loveBy Nuha Abdessalam Navajo Hills greenspace islands could be getting the ax and residents are upset. Residents of the East and West Courts of Navajo Hills, aware of the historical significance of the greenspace, spoke up during the Palos Heights City Council meeting May 21. There are five cul-de-sacs in the Navajo Hills…
Nerds and bullies among topics of Orland’s State of the Village
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva The 2024 Orland Park State of the Village Address was held at the Orland Park Civic Center, but it could have been held on a playground with talk of nerds and bullies and cool kids. Mayor Keith Pekau spent the first half hour “ripping off the Band Aid” of some…
Little things make a big difference in West Lawn
Spread the love. By Peggy Zabicki Your correspondent in West Lawn 3633 W. 60th Place • (773) 504-9327 . Thank you to all who make a positive difference in West Lawn. There are some who are putting enormous efforts into making our neighborhood better and safer. We often hear about these good people and all…
Daina Cyvas again pedals with a purpose
Spread the love. Kathy Headley Your correspondent in Chicago Lawn and Marquette Manor 6610 S. Francisco • (773) 776-7778 . As I’m sure you remember, in past years, Daina Cyvas, the Communications and Project Coordinator for the Sisters of St. Casimir, has participated in Bike MS. in honor of one of her heroes, SSC Sister…
Folks urged to enter costume contest for La Grange Pet Parade
Spread the loveBy Steve Metsch About 40,000 people are expected along the streets of downtown La Grange on Saturday morning June 1, with some of them dressing in costumes for the 78th annual La Grange Pet Parade. A costume contest has long been part of the parade, Molly Price, the parade’s executive director, said on…
Hodgkins breaks ground on new public works building
Spread the loveBy Carol McGowan The Village of Hodgkins is getting ready to welcome a new public works office building at its facility off of 67th Street, east of East Avenue. Village officials and public works employees gathered last month for a groundbreaking. Hodgkins Mayor Ernest Millsap explained the history behind the Paul G. Struve Public Works Building.…
Baseball | Sandburg tops Marist to open playoffs, but falls to LW West in regional final
Spread the loveBy Xavier Sanchez Correspondent For the second consecutive year, Sandburg’s season came to an end at the hands of Lincoln-Way West. The Eagles (21-12) fell to the Warriors, 6-1, in the Class 4A Sandburg Regional championship game on May 25. They had advanced to a second playoff game with a 7-3 comeback victory…
Neighbors
Mount Carmel, Marist and Oak Lawn among 84 teams at Riverside-Brookfield shootout
Spread the loveBy Xavier Sanchez Correspondent High school boys basketball does not stop in March and pick back up in late autumn. For many players, playing hoops is a year-round commitment. AAU ball is a big reason for, that there are summer camps, shootouts or other events at most schools during the summer. The…
Dog lovers to celebrate ‘Fur of July’
Spread the love. By Peggy Zabicki Your correspondent in West Lawn 3633 W. 60th Place • (773) 504-9327 . I’m starting out with some fun news. The West Lawn Dog Park Advisory Council will be hosting a Fur of July Pet Parade on Saturday, June 29 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at West Lawn…
Fourth of July not happy for everyone
Spread the love. By Mary Stanek Your correspondent in Archer Heights and West Elsdon 3808 W. 57th Place • (773) 517-7796 . Happy Fourth of July. Cannot believe I am already saying that, time sure goes. Hope it is safe and quiet for everyone and especially all of our house pets. For us its shutting…
St. Rita’s transformation is worth a look
Spread the love. Kathy Headley Your correspondent in Chicago Lawn and Marquette Manor 6610 S. Francisco • (773) 776-7778 . St. Rita of Cascia Church, 63rd and Fairfield, continues to undergo its transformation from the sunflowery/harvest golds and browns of the 1960s and 1970s to the calming pastels of the 2000s. Since the basilica-style church…
Loss to Courage brings Red Stars’ winless streak to five games
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Correspondent The Chicago Red Stars historic start to the season is all but forgotten. In the last five matches, the Red Stars have failed to win, with the latest setback being a 3-1 loss on the road to North Carolina on June 23 in an NWSL battle. The Red Stars…
Summer League Basketball | Illinois powers compete at Riverside-Brookfield Shootout
Spread the loveBy Xavier Sanchez Correspondent School’s out for the summer, but high school athletes across Illinois are remaining active during the summer sports season. This includes basketball players, who can be found at camps, open gyms, camps and even weekend tournaments. Among the more high profile hoops action in the area was the Riverside-Brookfield…
Dana Rettke and Ryan Murphy heading to Paris Summer Games
Spread the loveBy Jeff Vorva Correspondent Area fans of the Summer Olympics will have extra reasons to cheer athletes from the United States in the upcoming Paris Games. Dana Rettke of Riverside is a member of the U.S. women’s volleyball team and Palos Heights native Ryan Murphy will represent the country in swimming. Rettke, a…
Hope Church feeds the hungry at Marquette Park
Spread the love. Kathy Headley Your correspondent in Chicago Lawn and Marquette Manor 6610 S. Francisco • (773) 776-7778 . Last week on the way to our CAPS meeting at the Marquette Park Fieldhouse, I stopped in at the Tuesday Community Dinner hosted by Hope Church every week in the auditorium. Pastors Ben and Jordyn…
Palos Heights tax preparer convicted of Covid-relief fraud
Spread the loveFrom staff reports A Palos Heights tax preparer who operates a business in Bridgeview has been convicted on federal charges for fraudulently assisting customers in obtaining loans under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act. The jury in U.S. District Court in Chicago on June 10 convicted Hadi Isbaih, 42, on all…
Renovations begin on Shepard High School theater
Spread the loveBy Kelly White Shepard High School, which prides itself in the fine arts, will soon have a beautifully reconstructed theater right on its Palos Heights campus. The Community High School District 218 Board of Education recently unanimously approved funding for the renovation of the Fine Arts Center at the high school at 13049…