SXU coach Mike Feminis reacts as the final horn goes off as he earns his 200th career win in a thriller over 18th-ranked Roosevelt. Photo by Jeff Vorva
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 200th career victory, but it looked more like he might be tagged with his 78th 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 18th in nation in the NAIA coaches poll and SXU (2-2) was 23rd.
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
Local News
Man charged in string of armed robberies in Palos Heights, Palos Hills, Hickory Hills
Spread the loveBy Bob Bong A Chicago man has been charged in a string of armed robberies that took place in Palos Heights, Palos Hills, Hickory Hills and other communities. He was charged February 2 for the December 28 robbery of the Shell station at 12121 S. Ridgeland Ave. in Palos Heights. Palos Heights police…
Campaign 2020: Civil Rights attorney ShawnTe Raines-Welch to seek judgeship
Spread the loveBy Ray Hanania Civil Rights attorney ShawnTe Raines-Welch has announced her candidacy for one of two vacancies for judge in Cook County’s 4th Subcircuit in the June 28 primary election. Raines-Welch specializes in legal work for municipal governments, including cities, school districts, park districts and other local taxpayer-funded public bodies at an established…
Campaign 2020: 11 elected officials endorse Newman in primary
Spread the loveBy Bob Bong Marie Newman’s bid to win the Democratic nomination in the new 6th Congressional District picked up steam Tuesday when 11 elected officials in Cook and DuPage counties announced they were endorsing her in the June primary over fellow incumbent Sean Casten. “Congresswoman Marie Newman has been a very strong and effective…
Owner dispels rumors of Royalberry closing
Spread the loveBy Bob Bong Frank Salman, owner of Royalberry Waffle House and Restaurant in Palos Heights, has a simple message: “We’re not closed!” Salman said rumors have been rampant in the area that his restaurant of 17 years suddenly closed at the corner of 127th Street and Ridgeland Avenue. “We are not closed. We are…
Things were poppin’ at Valentine’s event
Spread the loveBy Kathy Headley Your correspondent in Chicago Lawn and Marquette Manor 6610 S. Francisco • (773) 776-7778 Last Saturday I stopped in at the Valentine Small Business Pop-Up at Monarca, on the northwest corner of 63rd and Spaulding. I really enjoy these events. I always walk out spending more than I planned, this…
The next correspondent could be you
Spread the loveBy Joan Hadac GSWNH Columnist At-Large This week, it’s my privilege and pleasure to write the Greater Southwest News-Herald’s column for Greater Ashburn (the Wrightwood, Ashburn, Parkview and Scottsdale neighborhoods). Greater Ashburn has not had a correspondent in this newspaper since Carolina Franco stepped away from writing this column back in late 2019. Anyway,…
$900,000 Lotto ticket sold at Palos Heights 7-Eleven
Spread the loveBy Bob Bong Local Lucky Day Lotto players best check their tickets for last Sunday’s mid-day drawing. A winning ticket worth $900,000 was sold at the Palos Heights 7-Eleven store. The winning ticket was sold at the store at 6350 W. 135th St., and matched all five numbers in Sunday mid-day’s drawing: 11-13-24-30-37.…
Bridgeview inks deal to promote village events, tourism
Spread the loveBy Steve Metsch Bridgeview is again partnering with the Chicago Southland Convention and Visitors Bureau to market and promote tourism in the village. The village board, by a 6-0 vote at its Jan. 19 meeting, approved the resolution. Per the resolution, the bureau will “help market and promote the region for conventions, meetings,…
Landek urges slower driving near emergency vehicles
Spread the loveBy Ray Hanania State Senator Steven Landek expressed his concerns over reports that three Illinois State Troopers were struck by motorists in three different incidents during recent heavy snowstorms. In two separate incidents on Interstate 72, a state trooper had pulled over to the side of the road in Springfield to help a…
Evergreen Park High students collect blankets for the homeless
Spread the loveBy Kelly White Students at Evergreen Park Community High School started up an effort to keep the homeless warm as cold temperatures and frigid air have hit the Chicagoland area this winter. The Service Club at the high school, 9901 S. Kedzie Ave. in Evergreen Park, is hosting a blanket drive through Friday,…
Neighbors
Rashid calls college demonstrators ‘student heroes’
Spread the love. Rips Israel over “apartheid’ and ‘genocide’ . From staff reports The crisis in Palestine is taking a terrifying turn as the Israeli military is preparing to invade Rafah where more than one million Palestinians have been forced to after their homes in northern Gaza were destroyed, State Rep. Abdelnasser Rashid (D-21st) said…
Titanic memories haunt Worth Library
Spread the loveBy Kelly White This year marks the 112th anniversary of the Titanic’s fateful ship crossing. Bringing the ship back to life was the Worth Public Library on April 15 with a program called, The Haunted Titanic, with local historian Bob Trzeciak, who walked patrons through the history, the lasting impact, and why it…
Spring cleanup day in Bridgeview set for Saturday
Spread the loveBy Steve Metsch Any Bridgeview resident with clutter to clear will be busy Friday night, May 10. That’s when they will be putting all kinds of things on the parkway as the village prepares for its annual spring cleanup day set for Saturday, May 11. All items must be at the curb by…
Family of man killed in McCook struggling with his absence
Spread the loveBy Steve Metsch On what would have been his 37th birthday, the family of Morales Ricardo Lopez gathered at his grave in Evergreen Park Cemetery. Lopez, of Blue Island, was gunned down in McCook early Feb. 17, leaving behind a widow and three children. His family, other relatives and friends gathered at his…
Southwest Symphony presents ‘American Song Book’
Spread the loveFrom staff reports Southwest Symphony Orchestra will perform “The American Song Book” this weekend at Trinity College in Palos Heights. The performance will feature Grammy nominated Helen Welch under the direction of David Crane at 7:30 p.m. Saturday in Trinity Christian College’s Ozinga Auditorium. Welch will perform some of America’s best loved classics.…
Shoppers welcome back Evergreen Park Farmers Market
Spread the loveBy Joe Boyle Rain was forecast for the morning of May 2, but nothing could dampen the spirits of customers who dropped by the Evergreen Park Farmers Market. The large crowd that attended were instead greeted with mostly sunny skies. Beth Novotney, director of the Evergreen Park Office of Citizen Services that oversees…
Evergreen Park recognizes police for valor
Spread the loveBy Joe Boyle The Evergreen Park police have been cited for valor after several key arrests that occurred the past couple of months. Police Chief Michael Saunders requested commendations for the officers during the Evergreen Park Village Board meeting Monday night. Mayor Kelly Burke and the board applauded the efforts of the force.…
Hickory Hills police bid adieu and say welcome
Spread the loveBy Nuha Abdessalam The Hickory Hills Police Department bid a fond farewell to Lieutenant Glenn Tienstra and welcomed new Officer Daniel Balzhiser. On a memorable Thursday evening, April 25, city hall was filled with the warmth of community family, friends, officers, and council members, all gathered to joyfully celebrate Officer Balzhiser and respectfully…
Mother Mac unveils new lights and scoreboard
Spread the loveBy Kelly White Across the nation, women’s sports are on the rise in terms of viewership, enthusiasm, sponsorship and excitement. Mother McAuley is no stranger to the impact that women’s athletics has on the development of an individual, strengthening of a team and key skills and attributes developed along the way. South Side…
Cicadas in the park in Palos Park
Spread the loveBy Kelly White Cicadas are coming and the Village of Palos Park is ready. The village hosted its 31st annual Arbor Day Celebration on Sunday, May 5, themed, “The Wonder of Trees” at The Center in the Lodge, 12700 Southwest Highway, with featured speaker, Tricia Bethke of The Morton Arboretum who presented, “Cicadas…