In 1924, the teams of St. Rita and Mt. Carmel laced up their football cleats for the first time to play one another. Now, 91 years later, the football rivalry continues with the teams just as competitive and the crowd just as loud as ever. With Mount Carmel having 12 state titles, and St. Rita with two state championships, the energy is always high when walking into the stadium before kickoff. The two teams brought this same energy to St. Rita High school on Friday.

MVP

Jake Zylman
St. Rita

SCHOLAR ATHLETES

Louis Cox

St. Rita

Louis is a 3 time Heney Award recipient, meaning he has earned all A’s in 3 semesters. He is also a 3 year member of Student Government, NHS President and Link Unlimited Scholar. He is also a Schmitt Scholar Co-chair and was a member of the big brothers for two years. Louis spent 2 weeks in Chang Zhou China this past summer.
Max Vanderveld

Mt. Carmel

Max is a 2 year letterman on the Varsity football team and a 3-time intramural dodgeball champion. He received a 35 on the ACT and is ranked in the top percentile of his class. Max is a member of the Curt Ehrenstrom Scholars and National Honors Society. He hopes to attend Princeton University and pursue a degree in mathematics.

HALL OF FAME

Darius Flemming

St. Rita

Fleming as a St. Rita Alum recorded 105 tackles including 15 tackles for loss and nine sacks, and helped lead St. Rita to the Class 7A state championship. As a senior, he led St. Rita to the Chicago Prep Bowl city championship and was chosen to play in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl in San Antonio, Texas. He went on to commit to Notre Dame, playing defensive end and outside linebacker during his tenure for the Irish. His impressive stats earned him a spot in the draft where he was taken on by the 49ers. He eventually sign with the New England Patriots in 2014. Fleming went on to play in Super Bowl XLIX championship, and recovered a Josh Cribbs muffed punt in the AFC Championship Game.
Charles Edwards

Mt. Carmel

Charles graduated with the class of ‘91’. He played the position of offensive guard for the Mt. Carmel football team. He played for 2 state championship teams and took part in a 4-year record of 42-1. He personally achieved All- State, and All-Area in All-Catholic League. Charles earned a football scholarship to the University of Illinois where he lettered and was able to play in the Holiday Bowl, the Sun Bowl and Liberty Bowl. Charles has since coached football for 20 years, spending his last 2 years as the freshmen offensive line coach for his alma mater, Mt. Carmel.

GAME SUMMARY

The Mustangs collected a 38-21 Catholic League Blue victory Friday over Mount Carmel. The scoreboard reflected a quick start with St. Rita scoring four minutes into the contest. Mount Carmel, however, answered with its own touchdown. St. Rita cut the Caravan excitement short with yet another score bringing the quarter to a close with a 14-7 lead for Rita. The schools stayed evenly matched throughout the first half. St. Rita outscored the Caravan 24-14 in the second half to pick up its second straight win in the rivalry.

GAME GALLERY