Walter Jones and St. Rita didn’t flinch when Lincoln-Way Central tied the score late in their Class 7A second-round game Nov. 8 in Chicago.
“I don’t fold under pressure,” Jones said.
He had company. The Mustangs moved 70 yards in nine plays, with Jones hauling in a 17-yard reception from Steven Armbruster on third-and-8, immediately followed by John Fennell’s 40-yard reception, putting the ball on the Knights’ 6.
Three plays later, Saul Ruiz kicked a 23-yard field goal as time expired, giving St. Rita a stirring 31-28 win.
The Mustangs (7-4) advance to play at Hersey (9-2), which ousted Richards 42-21, on Nov. 15 in the quarterfinals. Kickoff is scheduled for 3 p.m.
“We knew that no matter what, our defense was going to give us an opportunity,” said Armbruster, who was 5-of-8 for 130 yards with all his completions in the second half. “They got a stop (early in the fourth quarter) and then it was up to us. It’s complementary football.”
Lincoln-Way Central, which reached the 7A semifinals last season, finished 9-2.
“They weren’t easy to beat,” Mustangs coach Martin Hopkins said. “Our goal all day was to get the ball back to our offense. They had dangerous guys out there.”
That included quarterback Drew Woodburn, who threw for three TDs, and receiver Lucas Andresen, who caught all three scores and also ran for a touchdown.
But St. Rita had dangerous guys as well. Jones, who ignited the Mustangs’ attack with an 86-yard kickoff return touchdown and added a 23-yard rushing score. Brandon Johnson Jr., who ran for touchdowns of 51 and 8 yards, the latter putting St. Rita ahead 28-21 with 9:42 left in regulation. And finally Ruiz, who warmed up for his heroics by kicking a quartet of extra points on a chilly, windy day.
By that time, those in the gallery of 2,500 who were still breathing realized that it was likely the team to have the ball last would escape victorious to the quarterfinals. That team was St. Rita.
The Knights tied it at 28 with 2:50 left, setting the stage for the Mustangs’ game-winning drive.
The Mustangs won the yardage war 286-278.
“They’re not used to Catholic League play,” Armbruster said. “Especially not at 79th and Western.”