Professional Documents
Culture Documents
A Student Publication of
Saint Rita of Casica High School
7740 South Western Avenue
PREP BOWL
CHAMPS!
Chicago, Illinois 60620
In This Issue
Page 2
Annual Food Drive helps many in need.
Page 3
A in-depth look at new Rita faculty.
Page 4
Fans flock to purchase Call of Duty.
Page 5
Twenty-seven named State Scholars.
Page 6
Sophomore Football wins CCL title.
Page 7
Basketball season off to a solid start.
Special
dedication
ceremony
held for
Petkus Labs Photo by Mr. Josh Blaszak
RITA’S ADMINISTRATION IS joined by Mr. Don Petkus ’51 and Mrs. Nancy Petkus and students during the recent dedica-
tion of the Petkus Laboratories. Back row left to right: St. Rita Vice President Mr. Ernie Mrozek ’71, Physics teacher Mr.
Don Krystof, Mrs. Nancy Petkus, Principal Mrs. Sally Deenihan, Mr. Don Petkus ’58, Chemistry teacher Mrs. Susan Krystof,
and President Fr. Tom McCarthy, O.S.A. ’83. Front row left to right: junior Ryan McGowan, seniors Kevin Yerkes, Jaime
Viramontes, Kevin Handler, Dan Dillon, and junior Bob Gallagher.
Page 6 December 22, 2009
FALL SPORTS RECAP
Sophomore Football wins sixth consecutive CCL title
By Bobby Raehl
the CCL title, giving Head Coach Brian
Sophomore Writer
O’Sullivan his sixth consecutive title with
SOPHOMORE FOOTBALL the sophomores.
On a cold October afternoon last year, “Despite numerous personal losses from
Rita’s then freshmen teamed walked away last year’s freshman team, they came to-
with their perfect season and Chicago gether and formed a very good team,” said
Catholic League title, ruined, losing 27-6 Defensive Coordinator Coach Brendan
to Br. Rice. Coughlin. “Our number one goal is to pre-
This year things changed for the Soph- pare our players for the varsity level.”
omore Mustang Football team. A strong Key players included: quarterback Chris
running game and an unstoppable defense Stoeberl, running back Russell Williams
led to an amazing undefeated Champion- and Sean Esposito, receivers T.J. Verdun
ship year for the sophomores. and Kenneth Golladay, fullback Chris
Led by captains Nick Dachota, Brendan Ward, and a strong offensive line Mario
Duffy, Charles Elmore, and Mario LoV- LoVerde, Kyle Kavalauskas, Jake Gold-
erde, the Mustangs started out hot and ing, Ricky Valadez, and Nick Dachota.
never cooled off. The defense was led by linebackers
The season began in Portage, IN. Rita Charles Elmore and Julio Ibarra, while
scored quick and never looked back in a Shakir Spells, Matt Marciano, and Trace
28-6 win. The next week was would be Shoup anchored the defensive line.
their toughest game. With four seconds Former tight end converted into a line-
left against Morris, Stan Sojka kicked a backer, Pat O’Connor, was a key contribu-
beautiful field goal from 30 yards and the tor to the defense. Performances made by
sophomores won 3-0. kicker Stan Sojka were also crucial for
Rita then began its CCL play taking on Rita this year.
Br. Rice. Seeking revenge, Rita scored As the season concluded many already
early as running back Russell Williams earned their shot to move up to Varsity ear-
found holes. Rita ended up trouncing the ly, while the others anticipate being a part
Crusaders 17-6. of what will hopefully be another cham-
Homecoming Week for Rita followed, pionship year for them and the Mustang
and the Mustangs dominated Fenwick in a Football Program.
34-0 blowout. The next game proved to
be no challenge for the sophomores as they FRESHMAN FOOTBALL Photo courtesy of Institutional Advancement
easily put away Bishop McNamara 27-6. The 2009 Mustang Freshman Football SOPHOMORE SEAN ESPOSITO runs the ball during Rita’s game vs. Providence. The
Mt. Carmel week soon followed and a season was a roller coaster. Learning sophomore Mustangs had an undefeated season, winning a sixth consecutive championship.
strong defense led to a 27-7 win over the something new was not easy, but the fresh-
Caravan. men took what they learned and turned it
As the sophomores took on local Augus- positive. 13. The freshmen quickly rebounded again The defense was led by Connor McLain,
tinian school rival Providence they game As was the case for all level of football with a rout of Bishop McNamara 40-0. Tim Lombard, and Bobby Doherty, while
was close, but a fumble return touchdown at Rita, the season started out in Portage, The roller coaster ride continued for the the offense was led by quarterback John
by Julio Ibarra gave the Mustangs the win IN. Portage was no match for the Mus- freshmen as their next pairing against Mt. Kelly, running back Guerby “Preacher”
25-16. tangs as they put them away 46-6. Carmel once again proved difficult. The Ministre, and Aris Irizarry.
The sophomores went on to crush the The next week, however, proved more Mustangs could not take over and fell to “We started out thinking we were great
Wolfpack of St. Ignatius with a 54-0 and difficult as the freshmen fell to Morris Mt. Carmel 24-14. after the Portage game,” said fellow fresh-
finished their season undefeated by taking 12-6. That did not keep the Mustangs In another tough game the following man football player Zach Pickering. “Af-
down the Ramblers of Loyola Academy down though, as they came back in their week, the Mustangs took on Providence. ter our other games we came together as a
28-23. next game that was a thriller, as Rita edged Rita went on to upset the Celtics 14-7. team and did better.”
The outstanding performance made by out the Crusaders of Br. Rice 26-25. They also were able to close out their The freshmen Mustangs have a lot of
all the players and coaching staff of this The next game brought too many mis- season defeating the Ramblers of Loyola talent, and the future looks bright as they
year’s team rightfully earned the Mustangs takes, as Fenwick handed Rita a loss 14- Academy. prepare to move to the sophomore level.