It’s only been 179 days since the Ramblers edged out St. Rita in a thrilling regular season game in what was an abbreviated season last spring. The game only had a combined 10 points scored and showcased the tenacious defenses that we have come to know from these two Catholic League powerhouses.

This year expect nothing different as the Ramblers and Mustangs go at it on Saturday, September 11, at Sachs Stadium in Wilmette.

The Ramblers are entering the weekend sitting up top the state rankings after a resounding win over the 5A powerhouse Rochester. The Ramblers cruised their way past the 2019 5A state champions outscoring the Rockets 56-7.

Ramblers were led by Junior QB Jake Stearny as he threw for 225 yards, going 16 for 22 on passing, with 4 touchdowns.

Stearney said after the game “Coach Vradenburg has a long line of quarterbacks that have
executed over the years. That’s what we did today. Our whole team merged together and put up some numbers. We’re grateful [Rochester] came out today. We’re focused on Rita now.”

Marco Maldonado also made a significant impact via the ground rushing for 103 yards with 2 touchdowns, and another through the air.

After the game Maldonado said “We really locked in on how their defense played and we go based on that. I trust everybody else on the line to work for me and I will work for them. It’s a machine, ” Maldonado said.

The Ramblers took on the Rockets on late notice as the game was scheduled late Thursday night, but it didn’t seem to affect the Rambler all that much.

The Mustangs enter Saturday’s game ranked at number 8 in the state after traveling to Louisville, Kentucky, to take on the number 1 ranked team in Kentucky: the Trinity High School Shamrocks.

The Mustangs defeated the Shamrocks 27-14. St. Rita holds a record of 1-1 after the win. The Mustangs lost to Mount Carmel in their season opener after a late game field goal was blocked and ran back for a touchdown.

The offense of St. Rita is led by Senior Tommy Ulatowksi who is committed to play baseball at Creighton University. Ulatowski brings lots of athleticism to the field as he is very mobile and likes to throw on the run.

The Mustangs will be missing their best known player, the Ohio State commit, Caleb Brown as he is still recovering from an injury that he suffered week one against Mount Carmel.

This game will have the makings to be a possible game of the year if both teams are able to have the continued success that we have seen from both thus far this season. This game will be the last of a three game homestand for the Ramblers before they hit the road next week to take on Catholic League rival Brother Rice.