By Mike Walsh
Correspondent
Nine is just fine as far as St. Rita is concerned.
On Nov. 24 at Lane Stadium, the Mustangs defeated Kenwood 21-7 to win the 93rd Prep Bowl, the annual matchup between the Chicago Catholic League and Chicago Public League champions. The win gave St. Rita (8-5) its ninth Prep Bowl championship and first since 2018.
The Mustangs are 9-1 all-time in the Prep Bowl title game, trailing only Mount Carmel (15) and Loyola (10) in victories.
Kenwood is 0-2 all-time in Prep Bowl title games.
Senior running back D.J. Stewart concluded his prep career with 128 yards rushing and three touchdowns. His efforts were particularly meaningful given that the Mustangs did not complete a pass in six attempts.
The St. Rita defense limited Kenwood (8-5) to 56 yards rushing and 100 yards of total offense. Conner Artis, James Franklin III and Ray Saffold recovered fumbles; Jack Perry, Owen Lynch and Langston Smith had interceptions; and Saffold and J.P. Danaher chipped in with sacks.
Stewart’s 41-yard TD run gave St. Rita a 7-0 advantage with 8:53 remaining in the opening quarter, and Artis recovered a fumble at the Broncos’ 19-yard line on the ensuing kickoff. Four plays later, Stewart scored on a 2-yard run to make it 14-0.
The Broncos halved their deficit on an 18-yard TD pass from backup quarterback Kevari Thunderbird to Clacks with 8 seconds to play in the first half. Thunderbird finished 4-of-11 passing for 44 yards.
Seven seconds into the fourth quarter, Stewart concluded his afternoon with a 5-yard TD run, making it 21-7 in favor of St. Rita.
The Mustangs were 5-4 in the regular season, their first under coach Martin Hopkins, including wins over Kenwood, and eventual IHSA Class 4 runner-up St. Laurence and Class 5A runner-up Joliet Catholic.
They lost to eventual Class 7A champion Mt. Carmel 39-10 in the opening round of the IHSA playoffs.