Super 25 countdown: St Rita

Updated: August 15, 2011 4:18PM

Think of St. Rita football in recent years, and the enduring image is probably of Jahwon Akui battering his way through the line or Travis Starks sprinting down the sideline.

Those two runners with contrasting styles defined the Mustangs and paved the way for some successful seasons, combining for 30 touchdowns and more than 2,400 yards last season alone. But both are gone now and St. Rita has a new identity.

The marquee players for the Mustangs - ranked 11th in the Sun-Times preseason Super 25 - are a pair of veteran defenders: senior linebacker Will McNamara (6-foot-1, 215 pounds) and senior defensive back Charles Elmore (6-2, 210).

"They both have gotten a little bit bigger, stronger, a little faster," Mustangs coach Todd Kuska said. "It's rare to have three-year starters for us and these two guys have done it. They are very athletic and they can run. In the linebacker and secondary positions, we haven't had that."

Both were impact players last year for a team that shared the Catholic League Blue title and finished 11-2 with a loss to Lake Zurich in the Class 7A semifinals. Elmore had 102 tackles and three sacks, while McNamara finished with 95 tackles and four sacks.

What McNamara feels his biggest contribution might be this year is something other than big numbers.

"The huge thing is leading the guys who didn't play a lot last year," he said. "You can't teach it in practice. You have to get it on the field."

He and Elmore are trying to show the less experienced Mustangs what it will take to stay afloat in the Catholic Blue, arguably the state's premier football conference. Some other seniors who could help out in that effort are Pat O'Connor (6-4, 235), a returning starter on the line who had 71 tackles and four sacks in 2010, and Max Kurucar (6-0, 180), a defensive back who had two interceptions.

There is not much experience on the offensive side. Senior left tackle Nick Dachota (6-8, 305) is the only returning starter on the line, and senior Mike Zunica (6-1, 205) was the regular fullback a year ago.

But there is talent elsewhere, even if it's somewhat unproven at the varsity level. The quarterback will be senior Scott Thomas, who split time early with then-senior Brandon Johnson, throwing for 272 yards and one score. Kenny Golladay (6-3, 190) figures to be one of Thomas' prime targets this fall.

The featured back will be junior Guerby Ministre (5-7, 165). a starter on the lower levels the past two years.

"He's got good speed and some excellent vision," Kuska said. "A good set of hands on him, too."

McNamara also has been impressed, calling Ministre "a Jahwon-type runner."

The Mustangs will get tested early by some far-flung competition, opening with a game at Portage (Ind.) and then facing Whitehaven (Tenn,) at East St. Louis in Week 2.

"I totally like (playing) good competition over teams you know you're going to beat," McNamara said.

The point is to survive the Catholic Blue and be ready for another postseason run.

"We'll have some growing pains, I'm sure, here and there," Kuska said. "Hopefully we'll be a force come playoff time."

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