The last time St. Rita played in a state championship football game, Steven Armbruster was an eighth grader serving as a ball boy on the sidelines for the Mustangs.

Armbruster’s older brother, Charlie, was an offensive lineman on that team in 2021, when St. Rita lost 35-6 to Wheaton North in the Class 7A final.

Now, as a senior quarterback, Armbruster has led the Mustangs back to state.

“Being a ball boy at state, that was a really cool experience for me, getting to see it firsthand and getting to see all the operations on the sideline and knowing how it all works,” Armbruster said. “Ever since then, it’s always been about getting there as a player.

“That’s always been the biggest goal of mine.”

Armbruster will realize that goal at 4 p.m. Saturday when St. Rita (9-4) takes on South Side rival Brother Rice (12-1) in the Class 7A state championship game at Hancock Stadium in Normal.

St. Rita’s Steven Armbruster (5) moves out of the pocket against Marist during a nonconference game in Chicago on Friday, Aug. 29, 2025. (Vincent D. Johnson / Daily Southtown)

As someone who was a part of the program before even reaching high school, it will be an extra special moment for Armbruster.

“It means a lot,” he said. “Not many Rita teams have made it to a state championship game and even less have won. It’s all about getting this opportunity and making the most of it.”

Armbruster comes into the game playing the best football of his career.

The Mustangs beat Hersey 56-42 in a quarterfinal as Armbruster threw for 261 yards and three touchdowns and ran for two more TDs.

St. Rita’s Steven Armbruster (5) brushes off a tackle by Quincy’s Maxwell Wires (44) in a Class 7A state quarterfinal game in Chicago on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024. (Vincent D. Johnson / Daily Southtown)

On Saturday, Armbruster came through with 239 yards passing and four TDs — and added another rushing TD — in a 54-34 victory over Batavia.

“It always starts up front with the O-line,” Armbruster said. “They’ve been doing a great job. All they have to do is give me time and our receivers are going to get open and our running backs are going to make plays.”

Senior receiver Walter Jones, Armbruster’s top target, confirmed his quarterback is playing at another level.

“I’ve seen it all with Steven, the lows and the highs,” Jones said. “To be honest, I don’t know how he’s doing it. I told him whatever he’s doing, just keep doing it.”

St. Rita’s Steven Armbruster (5) looks to pass the ball downfield against Brother Rice during a nonconference game in Chicago on Friday, Sept. 13, 2024. (Vincent D. Johnson / Daily Southtown)

Armbruster has plenty of experience to lean on. He took over the starting quarterback role midway through his sophomore season. St. Rita won the Prep Bowl that year, giving Armbruster extra chances to play and learn.

“That really helped,” Armbruster said. “It was a great experience, but winning the Prep Bowl is not where this program wants to be. We want to be practicing on Thanksgiving week but for the state championship game.”

That seemed highly possible at the start of the season as the Mustangs returned 13 starters from a team that reached the semifinals last fall.

St. Rita started out 2-4, however, before reeling off seven straight wins.

“When we were 2-4 and everyone thought we were done, we used that as fuel just to prove everybody wrong,” Jones said. “The playoffs started early for us.”

St. Rita coach Martin Hopkins saw Armbruster deal with the adversity and get his team back on track.

St. Rita quarterback Steven Armbruster (5) fends off pressure by Mount Carmel’s Gavin Conjar (1) pressures during a nonconference game in Chicago on Friday, Sept. 5, 2025. (Vincent D. Johnson / Daily Southtown)

“I think early in the season, there was a lot of pressure on him being a senior quarterback and a captain,” Hopkins said. “Then he gets injured, we lose a couple games.

“He did a great job just settling in and focusing on the now.”

Now the former ball boy is set to play on high school football’s biggest stage.

“Kids dream about being the quarterback in a state championship game but not many kids get to live it out,” Hopkins said. “I’m happy for him. He’s earned it.”

Armbruster and Jones were both out for the Mustangs’ 28-10 loss to Brother Rice in Week 3. They’re thrilled to get their shot at the Crusaders now.

“Everything over the last four years here kind of led me to this moment,” Armbruster said. “This is the big one that you dream about, so I’m ready.”

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/26/steven-armbruster-st-rita-brother-rice-ihsa-football/