Congrats to St. Rita football team for thei 31-7 pounding of Morgan Park H.S. in todays Prep Bowl at Soldiers Field. This is the fourth Prep Bowl win in St. Rita's hisory, and their first since 1977. It's always best to end the season on a victory, and St. Rita can close it's books on a semi succesful season. QB Jason Kafka (left) was the star- 181yards on eight carries, including runs of 58 yards and a TD run of 85.In addition to Kafka, there were many other Mustang hero's. D'Marcus Dullen and Daniel Dispensa also scored on runs. Three had two interceptions each- Alex Vitkauskas, Tim Nicholas, and Gerald Tonio. And superb kicker Steve Flaherty started the scoring with a 26yd field goal.
But the win for the 10-4 St. Rita Mustangs can only be described as 'bittersweet'. St. Rita was the defending 7A State champion (as opposed to what they won today, the Prep Bowl champion), and hopes were high for a repeat in August. With the #1 state ranking, a USA Today national ranking, and many seniors returning, another run to the crown was anticipted. But it just didn't turn out that way this year. St. Rita plays in the toughest high school football conference in the nation, the Catholic Blue. Every team in the Blue made the playoffs this year. Rita lost to Mt. Carmel, Loyola, and Br. Rice - all tough teams. Despite the harsh schedule, they finished 6-3 and made the state playoffs. St. Rita advanced into the second round to meet #1 ranked and undefeated Wheaton Warrenville South. Leading by two touchdowns in the third quarter, it looked like they mite upset Wheaton. It was not to be.
But their does exist an out for Catholic and Public League teams in the form of the Prep Bowl. Back before the state playoffs existed, the champions of the Catholic League and the Public league played each other each November. Since the advent of the state post season system, the Prep Bowl has lost a lot of stature. Much like the N.I.T of NCAA basketball, the Prep Bowl takes those teams who didn't qualify for the state playoffs and those teams who lost in the first two rounds of the state playoffs. In other words, although yr still playing football in late November, a team like St. Rita would much rather be playing in the state championships- like they were last year.
However, this years Prep Bowl was the 74th year of a tradition that has drawn as much as 120,000 fans to Soldiers Field in the 1930's and attracted national attention for the famous 'national champion' 1963 St. Rita team. To take part in this Chicago tradition is still a treat. Playing in a televised game @ Soldiers Field in Week 14 against good competition isn't all that bad. Although last years championship was rightfully celebrated, this years lesser championship will nonetheless once again put Rita's name on a championship trophy and another banner in the gym. St. Rita students a hundred years from now will look up to that banner during an assembly or a basketball game and wonder about those who came before to represent them @ Soldiers Field way back in November 2007.
But their does exist an out for Catholic and Public League teams in the form of the Prep Bowl. Back before the state playoffs existed, the champions of the Catholic League and the Public league played each other each November. Since the advent of the state post season system, the Prep Bowl has lost a lot of stature. Much like the N.I.T of NCAA basketball, the Prep Bowl takes those teams who didn't qualify for the state playoffs and those teams who lost in the first two rounds of the state playoffs. In other words, although yr still playing football in late November, a team like St. Rita would much rather be playing in the state championships- like they were last year.
However, this years Prep Bowl was the 74th year of a tradition that has drawn as much as 120,000 fans to Soldiers Field in the 1930's and attracted national attention for the famous 'national champion' 1963 St. Rita team. To take part in this Chicago tradition is still a treat. Playing in a televised game @ Soldiers Field in Week 14 against good competition isn't all that bad. Although last years championship was rightfully celebrated, this years lesser championship will nonetheless once again put Rita's name on a championship trophy and another banner in the gym. St. Rita students a hundred years from now will look up to that banner during an assembly or a basketball game and wonder about those who came before to represent them @ Soldiers Field way back in November 2007.
Go Rita Go!
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