1. St. Rita offense looked the part....... Was really impressed with a St Rita offense that was able to get a lot of things clicking on Friday night in it's 38-21 win over Prospect. St Rita will always look to establish a ground and pound running game and this year's version with Big Back DJ Stewart (6-foot-0, 230 pounds plus) is pretty damn hard to stop. It definitely helps when you have an offensive line, one of the biggest I've seen all season in person and maybe the biggest across the board not named East St Louis.. and the line play is much more than size they played well here. The Mustangs play action passing games came out of the gates slowly but got going and QB Jett Hilding was able to get some big throws (3 TD passes in the win) in key situations rolling and when this offense can get things all on the same page? This is a team, matched with an equally impressive defense that can win the 7A state title.
2. Hit Em High....Hit Em Low..... The St Rita defense is also a real strength and this is quite honestly one of the bigger defenses you'll see in 8A/7A especially the front seven. Senior Illinois commit DE Pat Farrell is giagantic and Farrell had a strong game here, getting constant pressure along with a nice tipped pass to himself for a key INT late in the game. The linebackers led by the Kingsbury brothers again are strong players with impressive size and length. Most importantly the Mustangs secondary played very well here in making the Knights QB Brad Vierneisel thread every pass and seldom had any wide open receivers. Senior S Johnny Schmitt is a leader and a key in the Rita secondary.
3. It Must Be Nice to Have Supertoe.... St Rita K/P Conor Talty (Alabama) is easily one of the better overall kickers/punters I've seen in many years and his ability to just outkick a 25 MPG headwind all night long and make having to go into the wind really a non factor was huge for St Rita in this win. Talty's punting is just flat out impressive as well and he just automatically gives the Mustangs a huge advantage and is capable of flipping field position with every kick regardless of the conditions.
4. Prospect just came up short....I've been saying for the past handful of seasons that Dan DeBoruf is a terrific head coach and is building a consistent winner at Prospect.....the Knights defensively just struggled in bringing down DJ Stewart...something a lot of teams will struggle with the remainder of the season.The spread passing game offense is a strength and senior QB Brad Vierneisel did just a lot of good things despite the 38-21 loss. Viernneisel was patient in the pocket...saw him force one throw (a deep downfield pass late in the game obviously trying to make something happen) but otherwise made good reads and good decisions and was also able to make things happen with his feet. WR Frank Covey (Northwestern) is a bit bigger and stronger this season compared when I saw him last and he will no question wind up being a player for the Wildcats. Prospect has now been limited twice in a row from the Mustangs....and hopefully they get a bit better path in 20-23.
Thanks to everyone at Prospect including the fans, admin and coaches for welcoming me last night.....I always get great hospitality in Prospect and it's much appreciated.
Next.....Marist then Rice Saturday
2. Hit Em High....Hit Em Low..... The St Rita defense is also a real strength and this is quite honestly one of the bigger defenses you'll see in 8A/7A especially the front seven. Senior Illinois commit DE Pat Farrell is giagantic and Farrell had a strong game here, getting constant pressure along with a nice tipped pass to himself for a key INT late in the game. The linebackers led by the Kingsbury brothers again are strong players with impressive size and length. Most importantly the Mustangs secondary played very well here in making the Knights QB Brad Vierneisel thread every pass and seldom had any wide open receivers. Senior S Johnny Schmitt is a leader and a key in the Rita secondary.
3. It Must Be Nice to Have Supertoe.... St Rita K/P Conor Talty (Alabama) is easily one of the better overall kickers/punters I've seen in many years and his ability to just outkick a 25 MPG headwind all night long and make having to go into the wind really a non factor was huge for St Rita in this win. Talty's punting is just flat out impressive as well and he just automatically gives the Mustangs a huge advantage and is capable of flipping field position with every kick regardless of the conditions.
4. Prospect just came up short....I've been saying for the past handful of seasons that Dan DeBoruf is a terrific head coach and is building a consistent winner at Prospect.....the Knights defensively just struggled in bringing down DJ Stewart...something a lot of teams will struggle with the remainder of the season.The spread passing game offense is a strength and senior QB Brad Vierneisel did just a lot of good things despite the 38-21 loss. Viernneisel was patient in the pocket...saw him force one throw (a deep downfield pass late in the game obviously trying to make something happen) but otherwise made good reads and good decisions and was also able to make things happen with his feet. WR Frank Covey (Northwestern) is a bit bigger and stronger this season compared when I saw him last and he will no question wind up being a player for the Wildcats. Prospect has now been limited twice in a row from the Mustangs....and hopefully they get a bit better path in 20-23.
Thanks to everyone at Prospect including the fans, admin and coaches for welcoming me last night.....I always get great hospitality in Prospect and it's much appreciated.
Next.....Marist then Rice Saturday
