In his third season at starting quarterback for St. Rita, Steven Armbruster is feeling more confident than ever.
He’s not the newbie anymore who went from sophomore backup to the starting quarterback as the Mustangs won the Prep Bowl.
Armbruster knows the playbook, the offense and is seeing the game as clearly as ever.
Helping host St. Rita to an exciting 28-21 comeback victory on Aug. 29 over Marist, Armbruster threw for 157 yards and two touchdowns and also ran for a TD.
“I feel like the game has really slowed down for me,” Armbruster said. “I have total confidence in our coaching staff, and I know they have confidence in me. That really makes me feel good and allows me to do what I need to do.”
Junior running back Brandon Johnson Jr. scored the game-winning touchdown for the Mustangs with 13 seconds left in the fourth quarter, powering his way into the end zone from 4 yards out to cap a 60-yard drive.
Johnson finished with 15 carries for 94 yards and the TD.
Armbruster’s win featured some history as his first touchdown, a 23-yarder to junior Donovan Evans, was the program-record 26th of his career. Mike Cummings (2002-03) was the previous record holder with 25.
“It is really cool, but it’s more of a record for our offense than me,” Armbruster said. “I couldn’t do it without them or (offensive coordinator) John Nee and (passing game coordinator] Pat Connelly.”
Martin Hopkins is in his third season as the Mustangs’ head coach, and Armbruster has been his QB the whole way.
“I brought him in before the game, told him, ‘Now is your time!’” Hopkins said. “Be confident and have fun. This is what you prepare for so go out and enjoy it. He kept the team rolling tonight and did his job.”
Johnson missed summer workouts with a knee injury. But he was glad to return, especially with some clutch plays down the stretch, including the TD.
“I’m glad I could do it for the team,” Johnson said. “I missed the whole summer. I felt bad, like I was useless. It was mental and physical coming back. It took a lot of work to get back here. It was a struggle at first, but I got it done.”
Evans had two TD catches for the Mustangs for 23 and 22.
Marist was led by senior running back Kevin Bartolotta, who finished with 27 carries for 173 rushing yards and three touchdowns.
St. Rita led 14-6 early in the second quarter but Marist rallied to go up 21-14 midway through the third. Armbruster’s 3-yard rushing TD late in the third helped turn the momentum and set up Johnson’s late game-winner.
“Our team is very resilient, very good against adversity,” Johnson said. “We knew it’d be a dogfight, but there was no stress when we went down. We got back out there, made some plays and knew it’d be all right.”