Football: Montini’s John Rhode return has been a boost

Updated: November 23, 2011 6:23PM

Montini quarterback John Rhode feels Jay Cutler’s pain.

The 6-0, 195-pound senior, a transfer from Marian Catholic, broke his thumb when he hit the helmet of a defensive lineman while following through during a preseason scrimmage. Rhode was operated on by Northwestern Memorial Hospital’s Dr. Thomas Wiedrich, who grafted a bone from Rhode’s wrist to replace the shattered thumb.

“Hopefully [Cutler] goes to the same doctor I did,” Rhode said. “That guy really fixed me up.”

Rhode missed the first six games, but has been spectacular in helping the Broncos (11-2) into Saturday’s Class 5A state title game at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, where they can win their third straight state championship by beating Joliet Catholic.

“He’s the best quarterback we’ve ever had here,” Montini coach Chris Andriano said. “He’s special in that he knows how to get the ball to people in the right spots.

“He’s great at reading coverages. He’s got the mind for it and he’s got the talent. You mix in all the great receivers and he can do a lot of things.”

In seven games, all wins, Rhode has completed 140 of 203 passes for 2,447 yards and 35 touchdowns, while being intercepted only four times, a remarkable performance considering he is new to the spread offense.

“Every week when I was hurt I was going over films, going over practice,” Rhode said. “The guys really helped me through it, telling me that they’d still have faith in me when I got back. That really motivated me.”

Throwing to a cadre of talented receivers, including Nebraska-bound Jordan Westerkamp (78 catches, 1,342 yards, 24 touchdowns), who holds the state record for career receiving yards and receiving touchdowns, makes life easier for Rhode, who also credits his linemen.

“It’s a dream come true,” Rhode said. “Just to be around these guys, they always talk about how awesome [winning state] was. Now I have that feeling that I’m going to the state championship game. I wouldn’t want it with anyone else – just these guys.”

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