St. Francis 12 at St. Rita 28 Final

RockSoup · Sep 10, 2026

2 teams coming off 2 rough road losses to the Blue. Both coming in at 1-2. One good team leaving 1-3.

As far as the Mustangs go a couple good things came out of the terrible loss to Loyola Academy.

The good: P4 DE #88 Ohimai Ozolua rag-dolled his opponent all game, getting a strip sack and knocking down a bubble attempt. Will need him to keep progressing especially this week vs a talented WSF attack.
The score allowed #1 Donovan Campbell to show good things carrying the rock. #4 BJohn played fine too. So this gives St. Rita two nice options out of the backfield.
John Fennell’s arm. Launched one 70 yards in the air. Overthrew the WR as he was hurried but it’s a heckuva weapon.
John Fennell’s leg. Whether using the quick kick or standard punt, has ability to flip field.
Won turnover battle 3-0.
The Bad and Ugly: St. Rita D giving up too many explosives. Punt coverage gave up too big of a return. St. Rita offense not having the ability to clock 1st downs on schedule with the run game and/or short pass game.

But cowards and losers live in the past. This week, which team pulls itself off the mat and gains the conference win?

SiuCubFan8 · Sep 10, 2026

I have no idea on this game other than I expect both teams come out with some juice. It is a major swing game for both teams.

McCaravan · Sep 10, 2026

I had picked LA by 14, later maybe I thought 17-21 but I hadn't seen SR against a team that threw the ball consistently yet as GBW is a ground team as well as PC since their QB was playing on a bad ankle that game. I didn't know much about SRs secondary as it lost Franklin, Smith to graduation and Fennell who was kinda a defensive rover moved to offense. While I wouldn't recommend getting into a bar room brawl with any of them they are going to struggle covering faster, more athletic WRs. #88 had a nice strip sack and can get after the QB but he will start seeing more and more double teams as other DE doesn't oppose the same type of threat...I saw them use 2 different ones on the other side and teams are just going to game plan about going their way and avoiding 88's side if at all possible. Clanton transferring for whatever reason hurt them as he would have created another threat on that side, I'm sure he is having regrets. As old school as it would be I wonder if they would put Fennell as an edge rusher on passing situations and tell him to just go get the QB?

Offensively Rita can run the rock very well. Line isn't the mammoth size Rita has had in the past but they play well as a unit it seems. Johnson is continuing where he left off. Fennell is running the ball well, maybe install some option with the two of them? The receiver though are a good sure handed group that runs proper routes but if the 3 of them switched #'s you wouldn't know, they are very similar in size and stature. They don't have a burner, they don't have that WR who can out jump anyone, this is where losing Evans hurts because he was that option.....again a decision he maybe regret as well as it was unnecessary.. LA's chink in the armor is their secondary is not particularly strong or speed demons but they matched up well with SRs WRs, LA strength was stopping the run and that played into Rita's strength. I think Rita should do more swing passes out of the backfield and incorporate #11 the TE into the offense more. Short quick passes. If Fennell had to chuck it 70 yards then something went wrong.

I haven't seen Franny outside a Sloche video but in today's age that's like watching a full replay of the game

. But I like Rita to control the clock and run well vs them as this defense won't be like LA. This will be a big test for the SFA QB to show what he has. If Rita secondary shuts him down then whoever was supposed to be the QB before he transferred in should maybe start warming up IMO.

I like SR at home 35-21.

SiuCubFan8 · Sep 10, 2026

A couple thoughts:
- I think both teams come out and try to establish the run. BR DL dominated SF and SF coaches will challenge SF OL. Rita has the DE from Romeoville but they are not BR DL.
- After watching the SF/BR game again it reminded me of the SF/Rita game last year where Rita just kept shooting themselves in the foot in 1st half. SF couldn't get do anything right against BR, granted BR had lots to do with that as well.
- An extremely weird start to the season for the Spartans. Game 1 QB gets hurt and doesn't play second half. They looked good in 1st half against a good team and was still in position to win late into Q4. Game 2 QB plays a few drives but Clemente offered zero in terms of understanding where the team is at. Game 3 they get dominated up front by BR and made dumb mistakes. My hope is the BR game gave coaches a real feel of what adjustments are needed moving forward.
- My assumption is run game/quick passes early for SF to get into a rhythm.

UsuallyRight57 · Sep 10, 2026

RockSoup said:
2 teams coming off 2 rough road losses to the Blue. Both coming in at 1-2. One good team leaving 1-3.

As far as the Mustangs go a couple good things came out of the terrible loss to Loyola Academy.

The good: P4 DE #88 Ohimai Ozolua rag-dolled his opponent all game, getting a strip sack and knocking down a bubble attempt. Will need him to keep progressing especially this week vs a talented WSF attack.
The score allowed #1 Donovan Campbell to show good things carrying the rock. #4 BJohn played fine too. So this gives St. Rita two nice options out of the backfield.
John Fennell’s arm. Launched one 70 yards in the air. Overthrew the WR as he was hurried but it’s a heckuva weapon.
John Fennell’s leg. Whether using the quick kick or standard punt, has ability to flip field.
Won turnover battle 3-0.
The Bad and Ugly: St. Rita D giving up too many explosives. Punt coverage gave up too big of a return. St. Rita offense not having the ability to clock 1st downs on schedule with the run game and/or short pass game.

But cowards and losers live in the past. This week, which team pulls itself off the mat and gains the conference win?

Offensively the outside run was just non existent. Rita tried adjusting but Loyola kept their big boy in the box and he dominated the inside run.
GBW play calling was flawless. They **** the bed this game. Didn’t get fennel in space and only had one down field shot. The shovel sweep needs to go, everyone sees it from a mile away. O coordinator waived the white flag, we forced 3 turnovers in the 3rd quarter and conceded by running inside draws and punting the ball away. It felt like they just wanted to get out of their injury free. Some people were pissed but gotta remember I think Rita has beaten Loyola once since 2007.
defensively I thought they played good. Sounds crazy when you lose 31-0. 88 finally not only looked the part but played the part. Hard to get home when Lee had the ball outta his hand in under 2 seconds. I thought 7 did a great job jamming McKinley. The ugly is broken plays and awful tackling by the DBs. 2 of Loyola’s long TDs tackling was atrocious. Credit to 4 on Loyola the individual effort on both of those, kids a gamer. Rita had 7 kids going boy ways. don’t think I’ve ever seen that.

which brings me to Franny. I think Rita D line will get home more with the way Franny plays offensively. Over last 3 years, Franny has stayed true to their play sheet vs Rita. If they do, I believe Rita forces turnovers and gets the W. Just need to limit the big plays and the secondary needs to keep everything infront of them. But if they adjust, and run like Provi did it’s going to be a lot closer game.
Offensively, establish the run game early. Get fennel in space. Opens up the deep shots for Junior 9 Burgos.

SiuCubFan8 · Sep 10, 2026

UsuallyRight57 said:
Offensively the outside run was just non existent. Rita tried adjusting but Loyola kept their big boy in the box and he dominated the inside run.
GBW play calling was flawless. They **** the bed this game. Didn’t get fennel in space and only had one down field shot. The shovel sweep needs to go, everyone sees it from a mile away. O coordinator waived the white flag, we forced 3 turnovers in the 3rd quarter and conceded by running inside draws and punting the ball away. It felt like they just wanted to get out of their injury free. Some people were pissed but gotta remember I think Rita has beaten Loyola once since 2007.
defensively I thought they played good. Sounds crazy when you lose 31-0. 88 finally not only looked the part but played the part. Hard to get home when Lee had the ball outta his hand in under 2 seconds. I thought 7 did a great job jamming McKinley. The ugly is broken plays and awful tackling by the DBs. 2 of Loyola’s long TDs tackling was atrocious. Credit to 4 on Loyola the individual effort on both of those, kids a gamer. Rita had 7 kids going boy ways. don’t think I’ve ever seen that.

which brings me to Franny. I think Rita D line will get home more with the way Franny plays offensively. Over last 3 years, Franny has stayed true to their play sheet vs Rita. If they do, I believe Rita forces turnovers and gets the W. Just need to limit the big plays and the secondary needs to keep everything infront of them. But if they adjust, and run like Provi did it’s going to be a lot closer game.
Offensively, establish the run game early. Get fennel in space. Opens up the deep shots for Junior 9 Burgos.

SF over the last 5 years will run the ball when needed. So they will mix it up if they feel the need, heck they went wildcat against Provi in semi finals a few years ago when they had a QB that is starting at MSU right now. Granted it was an extremely cold windy day.

UsuallyRight57 · Sep 10, 2026

McCaravan said:
I had picked LA by 14, later maybe I thought 17-21 but I hadn't seen SR against a team that threw the ball consistently yet as GBW is a ground team as well as PC since their QB was playing on a bad ankle that game. I didn't know much about SRs secondary as it lost Franklin, Smith to graduation and Fennell who was kinda a defensive rover moved to offense. While I wouldn't recommend getting into a bar room brawl with any of them they are going to struggle covering faster, more athletic WRs. #88 had a nice strip sack and can get after the QB but he will start seeing more and more double teams as other DE doesn't oppose the same type of threat...I saw them use 2 different ones on the other side and teams are just going to game plan about going their way and avoiding 88's side if at all possible. Clanton transferring for whatever reason hurt them as he would have created another threat on that side, I'm sure he is having regrets. As old school as it would be I wonder if they would put Fennell as an edge rusher on passing situations and tell him to just go get the QB?

Offensively Rita can run the rock very well. Line isn't the mammoth size Rita has had in the past but they play well as a unit it seems. Johnson is continuing where he left off. Fennell is running the ball well, maybe install some option with the two of them? The receiver though are a good sure handed group that runs proper routes but if the 3 of them switched #'s you wouldn't know, they are very similar in size and stature. They don't have a burner, they don't have that WR who can out jump anyone, this is where losing Evans hurts because he was that option.....again a decision he maybe regret as well as it was unnecessary.. LA's chink in the armor is their secondary is not particularly strong or speed demons but they matched up well with SRs WRs, LA strength was stopping the run and that played into Rita's strength. I think Rita should do more swing passes out of the backfield and incorporate #11 the TE into the offense more. Short quick passes. If Fennell had to chuck it 70 yards then something went wrong.

I haven't seen Franny outside a Sloche video but in today's age that's like watching a full replay of the game . But I like Rita to control the clock and run well vs them as this defense won't be like LA. This will be a big test for the SFA QB to show what he has. If Rita secondary shuts him down then whoever was supposed to be the QB before he transferred in should maybe start warming up IMO.

I like SR at home 35-21.

Clanton and smith woulda helped with depth rotation. But after watching film and looking at the stat sheets vs lesser opponents at Larry, I don’t think they would have been much help vs teams Rita plays this year
Evans has to be regretting his decision right now. Watched the entire Sandburg game, he was targeted twice and had one awful drop. WR was a big question for me going into this season but they have stepped up in a big way. No true X but a bunch of fast, gritty slot WRs who can go up make contested catches and make guys miss in space. And guess what? There’s another one coming back this week who started last year. Fastest kid on the team #12

McCaravan · Sep 10, 2026

UsuallyRight57 said:
Clanton and smith woulda helped with depth rotation. But after watching film and looking at the stat sheets vs lesser opponents at Larry, I don’t think they would have been much help vs teams Rita plays this year
Evans has to be regretting his decision right now. Watched the entire Sandburg game, he was targeted twice and had one awful drop. WR was a big question for me going into this season but they have stepped up in a big way. No true X but a bunch of fast, gritty slot WRs who can go up make contested catches and make guys miss in space. And guess what? There’s another one coming back this week who started last year. Fastest kid on the team #12

They had Rooney on defense didnt they last week?

McCaravan · Sep 10, 2026

Gambletron had SR as 22.5 favorites....bit much but OK.

When they were freshman these Rita seniors beat MC rather easily. This was an MC team that had Burrell, Harrington, Samuels, Sims, Graham, Winters, Harris, Startz, Rogers, Clark and had Josiah Wallace (who is now a star OL at Glenbard West). Rita didn't even have Fennell at QB yet. Now that being said Freshman year doesn't translate to Senior year success, different coaches and different off season training and personal training, I believe it would be a different outcome now adding in MC juniors plus Roman Igwebuike and Issac Saldana BUT this Rita senior class has some serious players. Besides Evans I'm not sure who they lost off that team over the years but if they stay healthy I can see them at 6-3, worst 5-4 and depending on seeding they can make a run until they meet BR or ESL....I actually think they could make real noise in 6A if that's a possibility.

Wittymoniker1 · Sep 10, 2026

Some great analysis in this thread--good job!

Wittymoniker1 · Friday at 7:45 PM

Big goal-line stand by the Mustangs.

DMurph11 · Friday at 7:52 PM

I am glad the kids on Francis are experiencing the joy of playing Friday Night Lights. It’s a once in a lifetime experience with their friends that they won’t be able to get back once it’s gone.

There isn’t anything to say outside of that.

SiuCubFan8 · Friday at 8:41 PM

Ouch, rough ride for Spartans this year….thats life in CCL sometimes.

Wittymoniker1 · Friday at 8:56 PM

TD for St. Francis. No idea why Rita was blitzing with a 21-point lead under 8:00 minutes to go. Long TD throw. WR easily open.

Wittymoniker1 · Friday at 8:58 PM

Wow! Rita goes into I-Formation with a run up the gut. 72 yards later? TD Brandon Johnson Jr. 28 - 6.

We need to see more I-Formation set ups. Downhill blocking.

RockSoup · Saturday at 7:36 AM

Rocks recap:
Great to see Vinny Stubich gutting it out with half a leg coming up big at home.
Obvs QB1 John Fennell you take the good with his rare not so good because his good is special. Like the 30 yard scamper from his own endzone after a St. Rita D goal line stand. The creative plays he makes when a roll out is read but still finds a WR with leverage. A couple of those designed roll outs found Sophs TE Burke Price and FB Rocky (no relation) Kostyk for nice YAC gains.
Roney hasn’t dressed yet this season but that loss has been mitigated by the solid two way play of Timmy Swanson. And I don’t remember him having a lot of offensive experience in his St. Rita career.
RB1 BJohn ran hard all game vs crowded boxes. And his tough runs paid dividends with his big 70yd run to ice the game.

Defensively, St. Rita was a lot tighter and I can mention Junior LB Schapendonk all the time (and he will be so important next week vs the St. Ignatius option) but I’m giving my flowers to Senior Safety Kyle Keyser. I thought it was his best game sniffing out the Spartan gameplan and tackling and covering well.

Special Teams: I don’t remember a regular season Freshman kicker even Alabama’s current K Talty but Sinkovich has been automatic on PATs this year and got touchbacks and pinned St. Francis deep all game. I like it.

For St. Francis, I think come playoff time, watch out. I don’t know the whole back story of their QB1 but I think if they stick with him, he’ll be a problem in November. Looks to me like just needs to settle down, take what the defense gives him, don’t try for the home run as much. The tools are there I firmly believe. Don’t know how the Sparty faithful feel. #11 was a joy to watch compete and their left tackle #54? had the best game vs #88 so far in this young season. But that’s ok. All part of development. And #88 Ohami Ozolua of St. Rita will need to have a great contain/controlled chaos game next week if St. Rita is going to stop the St. Ignatius offense.

Great having the excellent Joey Snaidauf ‘84 back in the booth bringing his love and joy of the game to each play.

McCaravan · Saturday at 7:54 AM

SFA QB has been playing all gas, no brakes, Flyer football the past 2 seasons, he needs to learn a new style of football. He came over to SFA in the summer, it may just be an adjustment year. I haven't seen him live but I always trust @RockSoup breakdown!

I predicted SR by 14.....12 is in the same family!

RockSoup · Saturday at 8:55 AM

McCaravan said:
SFA QB has been playing all gas, no brakes, Flyer football the past 2 seasons, he needs to learn a new style of football. He came over to SFA in the summer, it may just be an adjustment year. I haven't seen him live but I always trust @RockSoup breakdown!

I predicted SR by 14.....12 is in the same family!

I mean I saw a couple great throws in the RPO schedule like the dime between two defenders MOF. And passes in good spots for YAC. St. Rita just had their best tackling game of the young season last night.
The Bad? If a play broke down, he was heaving it instead of possibly checking down or if the check down wasn’t there, scamper for 3-5 yards and play out 3rd and makeable instead of allowing defenses to go into a 3rd and must-pass defense.
At the end of the day, I thought he was a good player trying to throw the 20 point TD that doesn’t exist, and he has the potential to be a real threat if he can be coached into a conservative west coast game while maintaining his creativity for chunk plays in flashes. But I wonder if @DMurph11 or @SiuCubFan8 see what I see.

Colin2299 · Saturday at 9:39 AM

SiuCubFan8 said:
Ouch, rough ride for Spartans this year….thats life in CCL sometimes.

Lord, I don’t ask for much but it would mean the world to me if you would align the IHSA playoffs for 2-7 Wheaton St Francis to travel to 9-0 Antioch this playoff season.

SiuCubFan8 · Saturday at 11:15 AM

RockSoup said:
I mean I saw a couple great throws in the RPO schedule like the dime between two defenders MOF. And passes in good spots for YAC. St. Rita just had their best tackling game of the young season last night.
The Bad? If a play broke down, he was heaving it instead of possibly checking down or if the check down wasn’t there, scamper for 3-5 yards and play out 3rd and makeable instead of allowing defenses to go into a 3rd and must-pass defense.
At the end of the day, I thought he was a good player trying to throw the 20 point TD that doesn’t exist, and he has the potential to be a real threat if he can be coached into a conservative west coast game while maintaining his creativity for chunk plays in flashes. But I wonder if @DMurph11 or @SiuCubFan8 see what I see.

There is a lot of work to do but his first 4 quarter game of year. I expect improvement. Can’t chase multiple TDs early in games against a good team. Need a better start against Friars, who are certainly beatable.

best WR on roster has been hurt all year and have zero idea when/if he returns. That would help as well.

life comes at you fast in CCL and no one feels sorry for you. Put it behind you and move on. Rita had a mistake filled game against SF last year and put it together and finished strong.

Wittymoniker1 · Saturday at 11:33 AM

Something I would love to see more especially with Downhill Brandon Johnson Jr. at RB is MORE I-Formation! OL played a solid game, but in the I-Formation, I witnessed BJ Jr. with a huge burst of energy running downhill, which made it difficult to bring him down. When SF scored, SR went into the I-F and 72 yards later, it's 28 - 6. Having the Sophomore #33 blocking and leading the way was great. Btw, I think #33 could run and catch the ball as well. I hope they utilize him more. Saw him in person in the SR/Naz Freshmen game last year and was thinking this kid can start on varsity next year. I love the play-action out of the I-F as well. Imagine having that Sophomore QB (now at Lincoln-Way West) on this roster. He'd be getting some reps throughout this year so he can replace Fennell at QB next year. I know it's wishful thinking, but I hope he comes back to Rita.

Overall, I thought the Mustangs played a very solid, living-up-to-their-potential type of game. There was one play right before halftime that could've shifted the momentum, but Rita's bend-somewhat-but-don't-break-defense nullified that at the start of Q3.

Rita had third and goal at SF's 3-yard line. Coaching staff called a BEAUTIFUL play to have Sophomore #87 (not sure if it was him) wide open just left of the goalpost in the end zone. In this case, "wide open" means no one with in ten yards. I guess QB did not see him and threw into forced coverage ending in an interception. Halftime. Score at that point should've been 28 - 0.

Having typed that: SF also had two possessions (Q2 & Q3, I believe) in which they were 1st & goal and came out with no points.

Rita's defenders throughout the game had that SF QB for several sacks and huge yard losses, but he was very good at eluding the rush to make a play. I came away impressed with him. Just didn't understand one total blitz call when up 21 - 0 mid Q4 with a long field behind you. I get it when closer to the end zone, but the SF WR was wide open for a long TD. Must keep them in front of you. Not sure if SF had a ton of YAC because as mentioned by Rock, the tackling was there. SF has some very good WRs.

I know several guys are playing both ways, but this coaching staff is substituting these players (especially on the d-line) very efficiently, so they're not as gassed. This group of seniors are tough kids. Aside from the LA pummeling, I think they could be in every game to finish their regular season.

Wittymoniker1 · Saturday at 11:37 AM

McCaravan said:
SFA QB has been playing all gas, no brakes, Flyer football the past 2 seasons, he needs to learn a new style of football. He came over to SFA in the summer, it may just be an adjustment year. I haven't seen him live but I always trust @RockSoup breakdown!

I predicted SR by 14.....12 is in the same family!

I think you meant 16. It's still in the same family. Once again, a normal on-the-point prediction for you!

Wittymoniker1 · Saturday at 11:39 AM

SiuCubFan8 said:
There is a lot of work to do but his first 4 quarter game of year. I expect improvement. Can’t chase multiple TDs early in games against a good team. Need a better start against Friars, who are certainly beatable.

best WR on roster has been hurt all year and have zero idea when/if he returns. That would help as well.

life comes at you fast in CCL and no one feels sorry for you. Put it behind you and move on. Rita had a mistake filled game against SF last year and put it together and finished strong.

This is becoming a very good rivalry. Would love to see both teams stay in the Green and continue this.

SiuCubFan8 · Saturday at 11:42 AM

Wittymoniker1 said:
This is becoming a very good rivalry. Would love to see both teams stay in the Green and continue this.

Agree, 2-2 over last 4 years, right?

Wittymoniker1 · Saturday at 11:56 AM

SiuCubFan8 said:
Agree, 2-2 over last 4 years, right?

SF beat SR with the Michigan State QB: 31 - 28 on a last second FG.
SR beat SF 31 - 14, I think the next year.
SF beat SR 17 - 10 last year, SF was underdog, I believe
SR beat SF 28 - 12 this year.

I don't think I missed anything. Yes, 2-2.

SiuCubFan8 · Saturday at 12:17 PM

It’s the one part of the CCL set up I don’t love, the reshuffling of divisions sometimes messes with rivalries. I get it but I don’t have to love it. I know noncon exists and can mitigate some of that.

DR.Eireog · Saturday at 8:22 PM

Colin2299 said:
Lord, I don’t ask for much but it would mean the world to me if you would align the IHSA playoffs for 2-7 Wheaton St Francis to travel to 9-0 Antioch this playoff season.

Our Lady of the Worthless Miracle…..Pray for us!!

FootballSince2008 · Saturday at 9:42 PM

Did Bess-Henning play for SF? I know he transferred from CoM but haven’t heard much on him through 4 weeks. Figured ESL transfer QB & him would be tough to stop

DMurph11 · Sunday at 4:45 PM

FootballSince2008 said:
Did Bess-Henning play for SF? I know he transferred from CoM but haven’t heard much on him through 4 weeks. Figured ESL transfer QB & him would be tough to stop

Has been hurt all year as SIU mentioned above. No idea if or when he returns.

FootballSince2008 · Monday at 7:59 PM

DMurph11 said:
Has been hurt all year as SIU mentioned above. No idea if or when he returns.

Totally overread that. Thanks

Silver Rain · Monday at 8:55 PM

DR.Eireog said:
Our Lady of the Worthless Miracle…..Pray for us!!

If I should fall from grace with God, no miracle can help me.

St. Francis 12 at St. Rita 28 Final

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