St. Rita 35
Fenwick 13
When the average size of your opponent’s offensive line is 295 pounds, outweighing your team’s average size of 210, the chances for success are limited. The Fenwick football team found that out the hard way on Friday night as the Friars fell to a bulky St. Rita team 35-13 in their second Catholic League Blue Division game of the season.
“They were the bigger team and they moved us around,” said Fenwick head coach Joe DiCanio, who was much more impressed with the way his team played against St. Rita than it did in a 49-14 loss to Mt. Carmel the week prior. “I questioned their courage and resolve against Mt. Carmel, but I did not question it against this team, St. Rita. I challenged them and myself and our staff, and I’m impressed with the toughness they showed out there.”
St. Rita’s massive line helped running back Jahwon Akui run up and down the field. The junior finished the night with 305 yards rushing and five touchdowns on 39 carries. Akui had accumulated 182 yards in the first-half. He scored two touchdowns in the first quarter – a 1-yard plunge and a 12-yard scamper.
The Friars got on the board with 10:16 left in the second. Jack Stibich scored on a 53-yard run. But Akui answered with a 2-yard touchdown run, giving the Mustangs (4-0, 2-0) a 21-6 advantage at halftime.
Akui scored twice more (1-yard, 47 yards) in the second half to put the game away.
Fenwick scored its final touchdown of the game in the third when quarterback Joe Romano hit Nico Krajecki for a 26-yarder.
The Friars now turn their attention to Leo for their Homecoming game at Morton West High School on Saturday (1:30 p.m.).
“We just can’t get caught up in the Homecoming hoopla,” said DiCanio. “We need to take care of business. We’re still contending for a playoff spot.”