After backing up two-time state finalist quarterback Braden Tischer at Lincoln-Way East last season, Jake Ritter figured he had a good shot at the Griffins’ starting job this year.
Then Jonas Williams, the state’s top-ranked junior who recently committed to Oregon, transferred to Lincoln-Way East from Bolingbrook.
Not wanting to be a No. 2 quarterback again, Ritter transferred to Marist in January. Saturday was his first varsity start and it couldn’t have much been better: 216 total yards and four touchdown passes in a 29-16 season-opening win at home for the No. 21 RedHawks over No. 15 Morgan Park.
Afterward, Ritter talked about starting over at a new school with a new team as a senior.
“It was tough back in January,” he said. “I didn’t really know anybody. I was the new guy; they didn’t even know I played quarterback.
“A couple weeks in, they started inviting me out. We got really close, [the] team bonded greatly.”
The top returning offensive option, senior running back and Cornell commit John McAuliffe, remembered Ritter’s early days.
“He came in, a quiet dude, and his first practice, his timing was off,” McAuliffe said. “He was obviously pretty nervous and he didn’t look the best. … As the weeks went on, he got better, better, better. …
“He made a great relationship with all of our teammates. He’s been great.”
Ritter was as surprised as anyone to see such a focus on the passing game on Saturday.
“We actually thought it was going to be there less,” he said. “We thought we were going to run and pound the ball until we got all the points we needed. But we weren’t running the ball as much as we thought and the passes were open.”
“It’s what we talked about all week,” said Mike Fitzgerald, who made his head-coaching debut at Marist. “‘Hey, let’s pound it and then when we get one-on-ones, we’ve got to capitalize on those.’ … Jake made some incredible plays off schedule. That’s what we’ve seen in practice, where he just finds a way. He’s a winner.”
Ritter completed 11 of 17 passes for 164 yards with one interception, spreading the ball around to six receivers.
The touchdown passes went to McAuliffe, Brendan Doran, 6-foot-7 Stephen Brown and Brendan Curran.
Ritter also ran 13 times for 52 yards, while McAuliffe had 20 carries for 78 yards.
“Jake is a phenomenal football player [and] athlete, and he’s an even better person,” Fitzgerald said. “It’s always tough when you’re coming into a new school. And that’s what we talked about — you’ve got to earn the trust every day. His teammates love him because of the way he goes about his business.”
Morgan Park also had a notable transfer debut from junior receiver Nasir Rankin, who came from Young.
Rankin had 156 total yards on eight touches. That included a 84-yard catch-and-run for the Mustangs’ first touchdown, a twisting, turning, reversing-the-field highlight reel that left defenders grasping at air.
Morgan Park quarterback Marcus Thaxton was 10-for-21 passing for 166 yards, and he also had a 20-yard touchdown run.
“Those guys keep you up at night, seeing all those athletes,” Fitzgerald said. “Our D-line did a really good job getting pressure, making the quarterback uncomfortable. And our [defensive backs] just did a great job in coverage and even pursuit.”