Football: St Rita knows its assignment

Updated: November 17, 2011 7:26PM

While there’s no denying the striking similarities between Class 7A semifinal opponents St. Rita and Wheaton Warrenville South — exceptional defense, less-than-explosive offense — there’s one major difference:

The Tigers rely on a single player, running back Dan Vitale, to generate offense. As Vitale, a Northwestern recruit, goes, so goes the Tigers offense — especially if starting quarterback Thaddeus Armstrong remains on the sideline with the lingering effects from a concussion suffered in a second-round win over Lincoln-Way East.

Vitale had 85 yards on 29 carries and the Tigers’ lone touchdown during a 10-7 win Saturday over East St. Louis.

In a 23-16 first-round win over Providence, he carried the ball 35 times for 225 yards and three touchdowns.

He was pretty much a nonfactor against Lincoln-Way East, registering just 22 yards on 19 carries. It’s no surprise the Tigers struggled to score points, though they managed to pull out a 7-0 second-round win.

St. Rita coach Todd Kuska is aware of the task at hand Saturday night against the two-time defending Class 7A state champion Tigers (9-3), who have won eight straight.

“He’s a great running back,” Kuska said. “We have to find a way to contain him. I don’t think he can be stopped totally. It’s going to take a great effort by us.”

St. Rita’s offense is more versatile. Tim Lombard has evolved into St. Rita’s go-to guy out of the backfield. The junior has rushed for 890 yards on 160 carries, including 12 TDs. During Friday’s 19-14 over O’Fallon, he had 74 yards on 24 carries. He had a team-high 106 yards on 22 carries during a 28-13 second-round win over Andrew. In the Mustangs’ playoff-opener vs. Shepard, he recorded a season-best 225 yards and four scores to lead the way during a 35-10 win.

As good as Lombard has been, however, the timely play of quarterback Scott Thomas cannot be minimized. The senior lefty (90-of-195, 1,058 yards) has saved his best performances for the playoffs, throwing four touchdown passes over the past two games.

“People talk about us and how we have no offense, but we’re in the semifinals,” Kuska said. “We’re pretty much a 50-50 team (run and pass plays). We throw it about 50 percent of the time. They’re not always deep balls, but it moves the chains.”

Not that the chains move very much against Wheaton — or St. Rita. St. Rita has allowed just 155 points on the season, the Tigers just 127.

“Our defense is outstanding,” South coach Ron Muhitch said. “It takes away whatever the team’s offense is. It neutralizes a lot of things because of great hustle and responsibility. That’s where our senior leadership is, on defense. Those guys are true every week. I don’t care who we’re playing. And good special teams lets our defense play with more confidence. Those kids really believe in themselves. Our coaches will get all riled up on the sideline, and our kids will come off and say, ‘Coach, we got it.’ Maybe we will win a championship with defense.”

Lineman Pat O’Connor, linebacker Will McNamara and defensive back Charles Elmore are the standouts for St. Rita’s defense.

“The key, as always with us, is turnovers,” Kuska said. “If we can win the turnover battle and don’t give up the big play, we’ll be in it. I think we’re closely matched. They can run the ball, we can run the ball. They have a great defense, we have a great defense.”

Armstrong is expected to return at quarterback for the Tigers. As far as home-field advantage goes, it’s unlikely to play a major role in the outcome. South’s last two victories — over No. 1 Lincoln-Way East and East St. Louis — came away from home.

“They’ve gone and beat two pretty good opponents on the road,” Kuska said. “I don’t think they’ll be intimidated by our field.”

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