...on whether or not Mustangs' running back Jahwon Akui is healthy enough to play. The 5'5" junior suffered a high ankle sprain in St. Rita's lone loss of the season against Providence. In the first six games, Akui rushed for almost 1,400 yards and scored 25 touchdowns. He should be healthy enough to play, but coach Todd Kuska may decide to rest him for the playoffs anyway (which is what I would advise, although my phone hasn't rung just yet). If so, Travis Starks has shown that he can step in as an effective replacement, as he ran for 89 yards and two touchdowns last week against St. Ignatius. (He also fumbled twice, Loyola fans.) Starks is also a threat on kickoffs as he demonstrated with a thrilling 85-yard return for a TD against Mt. Carmel.
Even if Loyola can stop St. Rita's running game, they still have to contend with senior quarterback Robert Gallick. He can throw to Starks coming out of the backfield or wide receivers Kyle Jachim and Mitchell Saffold, or platooning tight ends Tim Gorski and Joe Nash. This is all behind the formidable offensive line of Tim Ladd (6'3", 280-pounds), Jake O'Dea (5'11", 250), John Sheahan, Brian Lurquin, and Thomas Hitz. The Mustangs' kicker, Chris Donahue, has been inconsistent this season.
On the defensive side of the ball, St. Rita boasts senior lineman Bruce Gaston (6'3", 310), who has been recruited by several Big Ten schools as well as Notre Dame and Arizona. Even in the losing effort against Providence, Gaston had seven tackles and three sacks. Joining him on the line are Dan Connolly and Tom Kimani. The linebacker corps is also strong, with seniors Joe Campagna (6'0", 225) and Ron McNamara (6'3", 215), Ron's brother Will, and sophomore Chris Simms. The Ramblers won't find any relief in St. Rita's secondary, as defensive back Charles Elmor was nominated by the Sun-Times for Player of the Week for his two picks against St. Ignatius. Other Mustangs who have interceptions this season include Michael Parker, Javier Green, Patrick Walsh, Richard Garcia, and Jacob Pikowski (which is the perfect name for a DB).
Originally, I thought that this game would determine the champion of the best conference in the state (Catholic Blue). Providence has since taken that title, although a St. Rita team with a healthy Akui would still be my favorite. Having said all that, I expect the home team Ramblers to win this Saturday in a shoot-out, 34-28. All three teams should go far in the playoffs.
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