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ba ttlesinBy BERNIE LYNCHOutweighed by 25 pounds on the average andcast in an underdog role. Coach Pat Croninand his gallant Mustangs of St. Rita of CasciaHigh school remain confident of a victory inthe Prep Bowl classic next Saturday at Soldier field.000pected to turn out to witness the schoolboy gridiron feature between St. Rita, worthy representative of Chicago’s Catholic High school league, and Lane Tech, the finest Publicleague representative in the past decade. Kick-off will be at 1 p.m.The Mustangs will be at their best physical shape of the season. Joe Barry, an all-Catholic linebacker, will return to the starting lineup, pie six-foot, 200-pound grid star was sidelined in last Sunday’s Catholic league championshipfray.Coach Cronin, who earlier in the season remarked that he would not care to meet up with Lane, has changed his tone.The smiling, Irish veteran grid mentor of the Mustangs, grinned as he quipped: “we have a score to settle with the Public league. We never lose twice in a row.”Cronin sported a leprechaun pin on his stocking cap Sunday.“Lane is certainly awesome in size and has great speed, but they’ll not find us as easy as they might think.”The big, burly Indians of Lane will enter Saturday’s game unbeaten. They rolled past Prosser 49 to 6 Saturday to win the Public league crown and a berth in the Mayor’s Prep Bowl.Cronin had the misfortune of guiding St. Rita in its 13 to 6 loss to CVS in last year’s classic.It was the first setback by the Catholic league representative after emerging victorious 17years in • row.“It won't happen again,” vowed Cronin, adding, “we’re ready for them.”Playing under adverse conditions at Soldier Field Sunday, the Mustangs performed admirably in ousting Loyola 14 to 0. The win hiked their season record to 8-3 with the win.Sunday’s title game was delayed 15 minutes due to the mounting snow problems.WfTT:Prep bowl leadersFinalizing plans for the Mayor’* Prep Boh I game nextnarl Bllaadir (tenSaturday at Soldier Field, Mayor Mic ter) met Monda with Ron Rio, coach of the Public leaguechampion ijme lech squad, and Pat Cronin iiighij,Hill direct the St. Rita Mustangs, the Catholic leagueresentative. !!’Halfback Mike Murphy almost broke on the opening kickoff, returning the pigskin 53 yards before being brought down from behind.The opening drive bogged down at the Loyola 19.Quarterback Tom Bums, who was the outstanding player on the field for the Ramblers, connected with Greg Cotton on the openingscored.Mike Murphy broke loose on a 54-yard gallop with five minutes left to play in the opening quarter. Quarterback Marty Strocchia connect-wl with Scott Craig on the scoring drive.The Mustangs scored an insurance touchdown early in the second period. Jim Byrne set*iru wun urr* vahujii uii uit- v _ . . ^play from scrimmage. The 68-yard pass play p e score 3-vard pa s playcarried the ball all the way to the Mustang 13.The Ritans dug in and held the Ramblers. All-league noseguard Mike Rafalin Burns forStrocchia who pinpointed the pass between twoLoyola defenders.an eight-yard loss.The onrushing Mustang defense swarmed Mark Schroeder on his field goal effort.On St. Rita's second series of downs, theyJohn O’Neil was on the receiving yard aerial pass from Strocchia.Strocchia made good on both PAT efforts,booting the pigskin high and between the up-Bowl\rtehts- ^ jSt. Rita held a 14 to 0 halftime lead.Neither team threatened in the second half.Murphy was voted the game’s MVP, leadingall carriers with 110 yards in 18 carries. Heproved tough to bring down.John McGowan was the next leadi ball carrier with 82 yards in 15 carries.Strocchia enjoyed a successful day, completing four of six passes for 115 yards.Cronin was high in his praises on the defenseby his Mustangs.The Prep Bowl will be a freebie.For the first year in the 44-year history of the Prep Bowl, no admission will be charged. There will be no reserved seats. Gates willopen at 11:30 a.m. for the 1 p.m. kickoff. (Fans watching the game live may return home to see a delayed telecast on WMAQ(Channel 5) starting at 2:30 p.m.St.RitajL in ustakegridti tiesBattling in a blinding snowstorm Sunday in Gate ly stadium, St, Rita retained its widget football title and St. Linus of Oak Lawn emerged with its first title triumph in the varsity Southwest Catholic Grammar school championship games.Coach Jack Quinn’s MusThey drove 50 yards, climaxed by halfback Marty Casper’s 10-yard jauntCasper was on the receiving end of a 20-yard TD pass from Larry Jankewiczfor the second touchdown. Dan Wollenbcrg. the leading ground gainer in the contest with 83 yards, brokeI f ml A a SLA rH L AAIM il It
Newspaper Details
Chicago South End Reporter
Chicago, Illinois, US
Thu, Dec 01, 1977
Page 38
Full Page
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IL, USA 03 May 2020
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