Late 2-point conversion sends St. Rita past Glenbard West
Glenbard West and St. Rita had been trading touchdowns all day.
When St. Rita scored with 42.1 seconds left, coach Martin Hopkins decided to go for the win, otherwise this game might have lasted forever.
Vincent Stubisch barely got across the goal line after catching a rollout pass, but it was enough to give St. Rita a 36-35 nonconference victory in Glen Ellyn. The host Hilltoppers couldn't do much on their last-gasp drive.
For a program known for hard-hitting defense, shootouts like this one are unusual at Glenbard West.
“I've been head coach here 20 years, I don't know that we've ever scored 35 points and lost a game,” Hilltoppers coach Chad Hetlet said. “You're not going to go very far playing defense like that.”
Injuries have been an issue early this season, and Hetlet has been scrambling to fill spots. On Saturday, Northwestern-bound tight end Brady Johnson tried his hand at linebacker.
“We really have five starters out for the year on defense,” Hetlet said. “Johnson has never played a game at linebacker in his life. We had a sophomore playing linebacker. Rita's physical, well-coached team, played extremely well and we tackled like crap.”
For most of the day, St. Rita dominated in total yards and time of possession, while the Hilltoppers excelled at sudden changes. A long kickoff return by Keyante Johnson, long punt return from Bryce Ellens, then a goal-line interception and 62-yard return by safety Finn Sheeley set up three scores and kept the game tied 21-21 at halftime.
In the second half, Glenbard West made a fourth-and-goal stop at the 1-yard line, then scored four plays later when quarterback A.J. Rayford bounced off two tackles and broke loose for an 83-yard run that put Glenbard West up 28-21 late in the third quarter.
A 1-yard plunge on fourth down by Ace Harris gave Glenbard West its final lead at 35-28 with 4:41 remaining,
St. Rita had a pair of 100-yard rushers. Brandon Johnson Jr. finished with 23 carries for 135 yards, while quarterback John Fennell added 131 yards on 20 attempts. Johnson scored the final touchdown on a 21-yard run, setting up the 2-point chance.
Fennell, who also threw for 154 yards, was a key factor on the final drive, throwing shoulders into pursuers and fighting for extra yards against swarms of defenders.
“It's funny, he was our starting linebacker last year,” Hopkins said. “He's not your average quarterback. He's a bruiser. I try to tell him to avoid contact, but sometimes he likes to find it. He's a fun guy to coach and a fun guy to have at that position.”
Fennell did look like a player who misses playing linebacker.
“I mean, I do,” he said. “I've got to do what the team needs from me to win. If that's playing quarterback, got to win.”
St. Rita lost its opener to Providence, so this was a big win to avoid starting 0-2. Glenbard West begins conference play next week against Oak Park.