As St. Rita's #1 unofficial homer (I have 'Stang Life tattooed across the top of my stomach even though it now looks like t a n g L i f as the apostrophe S and E have crept around to my back and the other letters have spread out as my former 6 pack has devolved into a keg but back to the game), I am officially concerned.
My concerns:
St, Rita has not been tested since week 3 vs an equal or better opponent. No disrespect to the 3 round 2 state qualifiers that St. Rita played through the weeks 4 through 9, Naz (great team but size difference was noticeable), PC (very good team but very young) and NND (very strong team but lacked the depth as evidenced by a 30-6 Mustangs' win but 14-6 lead at the half). Prospect has what St. Rita's last half of the season's opponents lacked: size, plenty of returning starters from their semifinal team and depth. So we have a true 4 quarter game. You'd have to go back to week 2 vs Brother Rice which came down to a 4th quarter turnover on downs in St. Rita's one score win for a true 4 quarter game. their only 4 quarter game of the season.
The first half performances all season have left a lot to be desired. Providence could have been up 12 if they elected to kick a FG going into half as they held St. Rita to under 10 yards of offense for the half. Being down two scores or more going into halftime is a real possibility and a hole that may be too deep to climb out of.
Short, quick passing games that can go over the top when needed are hard to defend in general and have been an Achilles heel for St. Rita in the past. I will say that the back 7 did an incredible job vs a similar offense against Nazareth but that was Week 5 and this is Week 11 so the only thing we can garner from that is that they have been working on it. But can they stop or slow down Prospect remains to be seen.
And my final concern is the same if you have read me the past 3 weeks. I'm not a believer in the St, Rita 9 vs 11 offense they have decided to go with this year. It has too many 3 and outs, has also turned the ball over on the short side of the field and has not finished (TD) in the red zone enough to give me any confidence going on the road vs. Prospect. You may ask, Rock, how are they 8-2 and so highly ranked while you (me) pout and sulk about not seeing the 2006 ground assault offense. The fact is, the reasons St. Rita has dominated their opponents since week 4 are a crazy good defense like I mean some of those boys are certifiably insane and a boatload of fun to watch and DJ Stewart and 3 fantastic senior linemen. I don't know how many people know DJ Stewart but he is different, I've seen opposing DBs and LBs make good decisions for themselves in the second halfs of games. A power 5 program will come to understand how nice it would be for their offensive attack to have his body type and angles he puts on defenders. And he's doing it in the 9 vs 11 offense they employ which is even more remarkable. But he is able to do it because of his talent and because of Center Charlie Armbruster and Tackles Collin Gerger and Nick Strelczyk. I don't know how Coach Nee and Coach RJ Mattes do it but after losing Val Erickson to graduation and Missouri, the offensive line looks as good as one has come to expect from St. Rita since the Dennis Lick days. I did not expect the line to be as quick, disciplined, explosive and strong as they are. Disciplined? Only 3 holding penalties in 10 games. Say that again out loud. Amazing. But those are the reasons everything looks fine and has been relatively going fine.
Does the recipe work vs Prospect? I don't know.
I do know the defense looks unbeatable when they are rested by long offensive drives but look vulnerable when the offense turns the ball over on the short side of the field and when they are going out there after consecutive 3 and outs as many defenses would be vulnerable in those situations.
I do know Prospect will score. How much? I don't know, but I'd be happy if they kept them under 30 and elated if it was closer to 20. What that means is, St. Rita must score touchdowns when they get to the red zone. It has not been good. Sure a couple of 17 yard DJ Stewart TD runs, and no problem if a big play gets them inside the 3 but overall not good enough for November football. I don't have an amount of points left on the field but the PC game was a perfect example of getting the ball on the short side of the field and settling for 3 or coming away with nothing. Leaving points on the field and/or not stacking first downs will not work vs Prospect.
While I am frustrated the full roster hasn't been showcased like I think it could be or could have been, I still believe in this team and I'm predicting an instant classic and a one score difference game. 31-28. Who has the 31? I don't know. A true toss up. Have fun boys and fans from both teams. See you in Mt. Prospect
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