Walter Jones doesn’t about worry about touches or how much he gets the ball for St. Rita.
The 5-foot-11, 165-pound senior receiver also stars on special teams for the Mustangs. He enjoys how he gets a chance to show off his particular talents at that underrated aspect of the game.
But first and foremost? Jones loves what he can do after a reception.
“I just want to get the ball in my hands as a way to show people what I can do after the catch,” he said. “With my speed, I can always break free or do whatever in order get yards after the catch.”
Jones piled up important yards again Saturday, returning a kickoff 86 yards for a touchdown and then setting up the winning field goal with a 26-yard catch as St. Rita slipped past Lincoln-Way Central 31-28 in a Class 7A second-round playoff game in Chicago.
Senior kicker Saul Ruiz made a 23-yard field as time experienced as the 25th-seeded Mustangs (7-4) won their fifth straight game to advance to the quarterfinals at Hersey (9-2). Junior running back Brandon Johnson Jr. rushed for 103 yards and scored three TDs.
St. Rita’s Brandon Johnson Jr. (23) celebrates his TD with Walter Jones (6) against Lincoln-Way Central during a Class 7A second-round playoff game in Chicago on Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025. (Vincent D. Johnson / Daily Southtown)
Senior receiver Lucas Andresen was spectacular in defeat, scoring all four TDs for second-seeded Lincoln-Way Central (9-2). He caught TD passes of 13. 23 and 13 yards from senior quarterback Drew Woodburn and scored on a 1-yard run.
Jones, meanwhile, finished with five catches for 107 yards. His 56-yard grab set up Johnson’s third TD. His over-the-shoulder catch on third down from senior quarterback Steven Armbruster inside a minute to play led to Ruiz’s winning field goal.
All those extra practices paid off on that play for Jones and Armbruster.
“Steven and I have had this four-year connection,” Jones said. “I know how to work and get free and he’s going to find me.”
St. Rita’s Walter Jones (6) picks up some extra yards after a catch against Lincoln-Way Central during a Class 7A second-round playoff game in Chicago on Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025. (Vincent D. Johnson / Daily Southtown)
St. Rita coach Martin Hopkins praised the perseverance of Jones, a three-year starter.
“He just chipped away,” Hopkins said of Jones. “He’s a gamer who never worries about the situation. The kickoff return and the two big catches, this win doesn’t happen without him.
“He’s always going to show up and give you something every single time.”
Armbruster scrambled on the late throw to find Jones.
St. Rita’s Walter Jones (6) reaches out on a tipped pass for a catch against Lincoln-Way Central during a Class 7A second-round playoff game in Chicago on Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025. (Vincent D. Johnson / Daily Southtown)
”Even if the play breaks down, I’ll look for Walter and he’s going to find a way to get open and make a play,” Armbruster said. “He’s my guy. A great route runner who always finds open space.”
In a game with four ties, Jones never flinched after St. Rita trailed 7-0 in the first three minutes. The Knights made the mistake of kicking the ball in his direction for the only lead change.
“They came out and scored right away and somebody has to make a play,” Jones said. “I just said, ‘Why not me?’”
After playing basketball as a freshman and running track last year, Jones knows football is his future. He has received offers from Western Illinois, Indiana State and Indianapolis.
St. Rita’s Walter Jones (6) hauls in a pass against Lincoln-Way Central during a Class 7A second-round playoff game in Chicago on Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025. (Vincent D. Johnson / Daily Southtown)
The Mustangs’ 2-4 start is now a thing of the past.
“I mean everybody in the state knows how hard our schedule was,” Jones said. “Basically, as a team, our whole thing was if we get in, let’s make a run.”
Jones has overcome obstacles all year. He missed the Brother Rice game with a foot injury. He also played with a heavy heart following the death of his mother’s sister before the season began.
“She died the day before her birthday three months ago,” Jones said. “Everything I do now, I do in her memory and leave everything out on the field.
“I’ve watched my mother make so many sacrifices, working hard all day for me, just so I could come here.”
Patrick Z. McGavin is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
