Pigskin Wrap: St. Xavier tops Roosevelt in thriller, gets Feminis career win No. 200

By Jeff Vorva
Staff writer

Saint Xavier coach Mike Feminis was gunning for his 200^th career victory, but it looked more like he might be tagged with his 78^th career loss.

After wasting a 14-point halftime lead, the Cougars found themselves down six in the closing minute of the Homecoming game Oct. 1 at Bruce Deaton Field.

But quarterback Stuart Ross found Brandt Hixson for a 13-yard touchdown connection with 38 seconds to play, Peyton Benes booted the extra point and Feminis picked up his milestone with a 21-20 victory in the Mid-States Football Association Midwest Conference opener for both teams.

Feminis couldn’t definitively rank this triumph among his 200.

“It’s a special one — it’s just amazing,” he said. “Today reminds me of a lot of great kids who played here a long time. So many of them were here and it’s a special place.”

Freshman running back Mario Price’s 14-yard run on the game-winning drive set up Ross’ touchdown pass. Price has only been around for a handful of games, but he appreciated the historic aspect of the win.

“It’s pretty cool seeing everyone here at Homecoming knowing how much we wanted this win,” he said.

Price rushed for 123 yards, Matthew Chavers III had three carries for 11 yards and two touchdowns and Ross threw for 158 yards.

Joey Markasovic had 11 tackles while Kevin Countryman, Payton Campbell and Tyler Barnette each had interceptions. Countryman has four picks in the last three games.

The Lakers entered the game unbeaten and averaging 491 per game, but the Cougars defense held them to 317, including 51 yards in the first half.

Roosevelt was ranked 18^th in nation in the NAIA coaches poll and SXU (2-2) was 23^rd.

Saint Xavier’s Matthew Chavers III reacts after scoring his second touchdown of the game in the Cougars’ 21-20 win over Roosevelt in a battle of nationally ranked teams. Photo by Jeff Vorva

South Suburban Red

Reavis’ Jorden Brown scored in the fourth quarter of a 14-6 loss to Eisenhower.  The Rams ran 31 plays to Eisenhower’s nine in the first half but went into halftime with a 0-0 draw. Reavis coach Tim Zasada was suspended for the game because the Rams (3-3, 2-2) were flagged for two sideline penalties in a Week 5 loss to Evergreen Park. Assistant Tony Pape ran the show for the Rams.

Richards (4-2, 4-0) kept its stronghold on first place with a 47-21 win over Argo (4-2, 1-2). The Bulldogs will on Friday play a crossover game at South Suburban Blue power Lemont that does not figure into the Red standings.

Shepard (2-4, 1-2) snapped a four-game losing streak with a 41-25 triumph over Oak Lawn (1-5, 0-4) and kept its postseason hopes alive.

Evergreen Park (4-2) lost, 18-7, to T.F. South. The Mustangs must win one of its final three games against Shepard, Eisenhower and Argo to be eligible for the postseason.

CCL/ESCC

Marist (3-3, 0-2) gave Loyola (6-0, 3-0, No. 1 in Class 8A AP poll) its closest game of the season in a 28-17 loss in Chicago in the Blue.Senior quarterback Dermot Smyth completed 21-of-34 passes for 276 yards and a touchdown and two interceptions, and ran 11 times for 52 yards. Senior wide receiver Ryan Sims caught nine passes for 93 yards and a touchdown, and Nick Baudo caught six passes for 79 yards.

St. Rita (4-2, 2-0) won its third straight with a 33-10 win over Nazareth (2-4, 0-2) in the Green. Nazareth must win its next three games against Leo (2-4), Montini (3-3) and Benet (3-3) for playoff consideration.

St. Laurence (3-3, 1-1) had its two-game winning streak snapped with a 49-28 loss to defending Class 4A state champ Joliet Catholic (5-1, 2-0) in the Orange. Aaron Ball ran for 93 yards and three TDs for St. Laurence and Richie Gomez had six receptions for 33 yards. Tommy Fus had one catch for 19 yards and scored a touchdown on a fumble recovery.

De La Salle (1-5, 0-2) lost its fourth straight in a 39-13 setback to St. Ignatius. Freshman quarterback Keyonte Louis ran for both touchdowns for the Meteors. Evan Smith had 14 tackles and Tristyn Hynes added 13.

Metro Suburban Red

After four weeks in which it scored a combined seven points, Chicago Christian (2-4, 1-3) broke out with a 35-13 victory over St. Edward in Palos Heights. Jeremiah Oliver had 128 yards and two touchdowns and made five tackles on defense. Brock Sperling had seven tackles, and forced and recovered a fumble. Austin Huizenga had two interceptions.

Riverside-Brookfield (5-1, 4-0) matched its win total from last year by pounding Westmont, 55-0.

West Suburban Conference

Lyons (5-1, 3-1) recovered from its Week 5 loss to still unbeaten York with a convincing 51-6 win over Proviso West.

Morton (2-4, 2-1) dropped its first Gold game of the season, a 28-7 setback to Oak Park-River Forest.

SouthWest Suburban Red

Stagg (2-4, 2-5) lost 49-6 to District 230 foe Andrew for its fourth straight loss.

Chicago Public League

Back of the Yards (1-5, 1-3) dropped a 48-6 decision to Tilden in the Blue Southwest.

Gage Park (1-5, 0-4) lost 62-0 to unbeaten Lindblom in the Blue Southwest.

Catalyst/Maria (3-3, 3-1) knocked off Noble/Rowe-Clark 32-12 in the Red Central.

Curie (2-4, 0-3) lost to Simeon, 42-8, in the Red South.

Hubbard (0-6, 0-4) lost 34-0 to Morgan Park, who was missing several players who were suspended after a brawl with Kenwood the previous week.

Kennedy (2-4, 0-4) dropped a 29-20 decision to North Lawndale Charter in the Red West.

Jorden Brown scores Reavis’ lone touchdown against Eisenhower in 1 14-6 loss on Sept. 30. Photo by Jeff Vorva