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I've been observing high school football in Illinois for more than 50 years and I must confess that the St. Rita team that humbled Mount Carmel 35-21 last Friday was, for one game at least, as good as any team I can remember.
For me, the gold standard is Bloom's 1957 team that featured Leroy Jackson, the three-time state sprint champion who later played for the Washington Redskins, and also included several other outstanding athletes, including Homer Thurman, Chuck Green and Roger Elliott.
Two other pre-playoff teams were exceptional. In 1971, St. Rita coach Pat Cronin produced a two-time Prep Bowl champion with Billy Marek and Dennis Lick and Evanston's Murney Lazier fielded his best team that didn't include injured three-time state sprint champion Howard Jones.
There were other unforgettable teams--Joliet Catholic's 1975, Gordie Gillespie's best team; East St. Louis 1985, Bob Shannon's best team; and Wheaton Warrenville South 1998, the Jon Beutjer/Jon Schweighardt passing circus that was the most exciting show of all.
Last Friday, before a crowd of 12,000 and a local television audience, St. Rita displayed all of the magic and talent and skills that those great teams of yesteryear did. If you saw it, I think you know what I mean. You may not be able to define it but you know it when you see it.
In overwhelming a Mount Carmel team that was everyone's choice as the No. 1 team in the Chicago area in the preseason, coach Todd Kuska's Mustangs were superior in so many ways. They were quick, aggressive, relentless and determined.
The offense is balanced and unpredictable with quarterback Larry Garrett running and throwing to Dan O'Neill and Kyle Jachim and Dan Dispensa, Dave Marciano and Johwon Akui running behind a big and well-schooled offensive line headed by 305-pound Mike Martin.
The defense is quick and physical and swarms to the ball. Marciano and linebacker Marty Hopkins are the ringleaders.
Can they play at last Friday's level for a 14-game season? Will they experience an emotional letdown next week? Are they a super team, one that can be compared to St. Rita's great teams of the past, the 1963 national champions, the 1971 powerhouse or the 1978 state champions?
Only time will tell.
But for one game, for one night, last Friday, St. Rita's 2008 squad was in a class by itself.
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I ALSO HAVE BEEN WATCHING HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL FOR 50 YEARS AND THE ST. RITA TEAM I WATCHED FRIDAY NIGHT WAS THE BEST I HAVE EVER SEEN. AS YOU SAID, MAYBE IT WAS FOR ONE GAME, BUT NO TEAM I HAVE EVER SEEN WOULD HAVE BEATEN ST. RITA THE WAY THEY PLAYED IN THAT GAME. IF THEY CAN MAINTAIN THAT LEVEL OF PLAY THEY BETER MAKE A PLACE IN THEIR TROPHY CASE FOR A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP TROPHY.
Posted by: Tom McKenna | September 20, 2008 10:59 AM
you forgot to mention st. rita's 1963 team. they were national champs. this team could be the best, i didn't see any flaws with them friday. GO MUSTANGS!
Posted by: art | September 21, 2008 12:46 PM
"Best of all" Is a bold statement considering that there is no big D1 college interest in any of Rita's Players, YET and the season isn't half over. To me they seem like a team of determined young men who play very well togther. A D. line with last years back ups and a sophmore in the starting line up holding the migthy MT Carmel on 4 straight plays on their own 2 yard line to seal the victory is very impressive to say the least. The O. line plays with only one returning starter and created many holes and to give a QB who was said to be very suspect passing and couldn't run had all kind of time.
I believe I heard someone say that Larry Garret is 22 and 0 as a starting QB for Rita. Seems like they also have great leadership on defense with Marty Hopkins and Dave Marciano.
What is the most refreshing thing to me is the coaching staff, who has been knowned to get to conservative late in games is nothing of the sorts this year so far. Rita had 4 loses last year in games they were winning at half time.
At any rate they should be fun to watch.
Posted by: Jimmy D | September 22, 2008 11:53 AM
Taylor,
I agree this team is amazing and if they do not win state it will because of injuries . Coach Kuska has the best staff in the country, all the old St Rita players from the 80's .We were all about smashing you in the mouth on the field in the 80's and that is how this team play's . Take no prisoners !!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: john foley | September 24, 2008 8:08 AM
i think maine south is much better then st.rita
they have had a team that is always one of the best in state for many years running and this year they are even better, almost unstoppable
Posted by: Joe k. | September 25, 2008 1:33 AM