THE SKINNY
How to stop a quarterback who earlier in the year had a 675-yard passing night? Sack the heck out of him. Host St. Rita (9-1) did that with aplomb Friday night, and left the rest to quarterback Tommy Mister in a Class 7A first-round victory over Willowbrook (7-3).
TURNING POINT
Up just 7-6 and having failed on the first possession of the second half, Mustangs punter Nick Goldsmith kicked 44 yards to the Willowbrook 7. Three plays later Martin Bechina intercepted a Brian Johnson pass at the 40, leading to a St. Rita score.
THE STAR
Mister rushed 23 times for 110 yards and TDs of 3. 35 and 1 yard. He also completed three passes for 42 yards.
BY THE NUMBERS
The Mustangs defense sacked Johnson six times, four by John Connolly. Johnson was 6-for-21 for 51 yards and one TD to Hayden Adams. John Kelly kicked field goals of 23 and 27 yards for St. Rita.
QUOTABLE
“We were just rushing from the outside-in. We missed (Johnson) a couple of times, but we kept it going.” – Connolly
