The Rebels, who lost last week to Saint Joseph to end the Chargers' 45-game losing streak, weren't about to allow the same thing to happen this week.

Maine East entered the game with a 32-game losing streak.

It didn't look good for the Rebels early when Maine East's Jeremy Umansky ran back the opening kickoff 75 yards for a touchdown for a 6-0 lead. The Rebels came back with a touchdown of their own to tie the game.

Both teams traded scores in the second quarter to end the half tied 12-12.

The Rebels put the game away in the third quarter. Nick Brindise returned a kickoff 80 yards for a touchdown to open the third quarter. Ridgewood managed 23 points in the period and led 35-18, heading into the fourth quarter.

Ridgewood running back Devlin Pighee rushed 22 times for 105 yards, while Brindise rushed 19 times for 90 yards. Rebels quarterback Mario Kutylowski rushed for 60 yards and completed four passes for 70 yards and two touchdowns.

Maine East was led by Umanski with 190 yards rushing on 21 carries and quarterback Josh Myers, who was 10-for-16 for 180 yards and three touchdowns.

Article written by Jim Edison on Friday, September 5, 2008 for the Pioneer Press Norridge and Harwood Heights News and online at http://www.pioneerlocal.com/norridge/sports/highschools/1148588,no-ridgmefbl-090508-s1.article. Used with permission.

The Rebels, who narrowly missed the playoffs last year with a record of 4-5, had a disappointing season opener Friday night in Norridge. Hosting Saint Joseph of the East Suburban Catholic Conference, a team which had not won a game in five years, Ridgewood got pounded 42-13.

Ridgewood's Matt Dziwulski reels in a pass, during Friday's game against Saint Joseph.
(Jason Brown/Staff Photographer)

And while the Chargers are an improved team this fall with quality athletes, it was self-imposed mistakes that really paved the way to defeat.

The Rebels committed four fumbles in the game, three of which came in the first quarter and two of which led to Saint Joseph touchdowns. It was not the kind of effort third-year coach Chris Zack wanted to see from his gridders.

"I don't have a lot to say," Zack said following the contest. "We just had too many turnovers and didn't block. Our defense did not show up tonight."

The assault by the Saint Joseph offense started early. Led by quarterback Cameron Meredith, the Chargers scored on their first drive, by way of a 6-yard pass in the end zone to Anthony Boddy.

The Rebels and junior quarterback Mario Kutylowski then began at their own 20-yard line. But on the second play from scrimmage, there was a fumble and Saint Joseph's Marcus Watson recovered. The Chargers soon made it 12-0 when Tim Kelly scored on a 5-yard run.

Ridgewood fumbled the ensuing kickoff and Saint Joseph got the ball at the Ridgewood 36-yard line. Five plays later, the Chargers scored again, this time on a 4-yard pass from Meredith to Ron Moore. Kelly scored on a conversion run and the score rose to 20-0 with 1 minute, 12 seconds left in the period.

Saint Joseph kept up the attack and got the lead to 28-0 on a 7-yard pass from Meredith to Moore. Finally, Ridgewood responded with a spectacular play as Kutylowski tossed a pass to Eddie Gil Ramos for a 71-yard touchdown. Sal Scortino booted the extra point and it was 28-7.

But just when the Rebels looked as though they were turning things around, Kelly broke their backs with a 92-yard TD run to make it 36-7 at halftime. Kelly finished the night with 188 yards of rushing.

Ridgewood scored another TD in the third quarter when T.J. Zornow threw a 27-yard TD pass to Ramos on a flea-flicker. But that would be the Rebels' final visit to the end zone.

Ridgewood will try to even its record Friday night when it travels to Park Ridge for a 7:30 p.m. game with Maine East.

Article written by Jim Edison in the Thursday, September 4, 2008 issue of the Pioneer Press Norridge and Harwood Heights News and online at http://www.pioneerlocal.com/norridge/sports/highschools/1140852,no-rifbl-090408-s1.article. Used with permission.

The Chargers, converted three Ridgewood turnovers into three touchdowns in the first quarter to take a 20-0 lead.

"We didn't underestimate Ridgewood coming in here," said Saint Joseph coach Mark Zavagnin. "We just came in here with a positive attitude. "We worked hard all summer. The kids believed in themselves. We were just quicker tonight. That was the difference. They weren't able to make some tackles."

Ridgewood scored its first touchdown in the second quarter on a 27-yard flea flicker from T.J. Zornow to Eddi Gil Ramos. But the Rebels trailed 36-7 at halftime.

The Rebels' other score came in the third quarter on a 71-yard pass from Mario Kutylowski to Ramos.

Excerpt of an article written by Jim Edison in the Thursday, September 4, 2008 issue of the Pioneer Press Norridge and Harwood Heights News and online at http://www.pioneerlocal.com/lagrange/sports/highschools/1136538,lg-sjrwfbl-082908-s1.article. Used with permission.

Cheerleaders from Ridgewood High School earned honors when the varsity squad went to UCA camp this summer in Normal, Illinois, Team building and perfecting skills gives them more confidence as the cheering season begins.
(Jerry Daliege/for Pioneer Press)

"They're pretty intense," said Laura Frayn, who -- along with Becky Popielewki -- coaches the varsity cheerleaders at Ridgewood High School, in Norridge.

This year, the 23 members of Ridgewood's varsity squad attended the July 25-28 UCA camp held at Illinois State University, in Normal.

"I learned just how comfortable the girls need to be with stunts before they do them in public," said Frayn, of Mount Prospect. "And I learned the importance of camaraderie. The girls really need to feel like a team. That pays big dividends in performance."

Lauren Johns and members of the Ridgewood varsity cheerleading squad honed their skills this summer.
(Jerry Daliege/for Pioneer Press)

Senior Lauren Johns, of Norridge, learned some safety tips at camp. Cheerleaders aren't allowed to wear jewelry. It's dangerous, she explained.

"We learned some new stunts and throws, too. And I learned how to throw without hurting my back," Johns added. "I never let my flyer hit the ground. In my freshman year, someone dropped me on concrete. That really hurt."

The 25 squads that attended the UCA camp competed for prizes in camp dance, home dance and spirit. Ridgewood's varsity cheerleaders earned blue ribbons -- the highest award given -- in all three. They also earned a second place trophy for their home dance, which was choreographed by Vicky Platek.

"Our home dance wasn't completely finished yet either," Frayn admitted. "Even so, I thought we should have won first place."

Frayn learned cheerleading in junior high school. The 2007-2008 academic year was her first year as a cheerleading coach.

"I think we have a great group of girls this year," Frayn said. "They're very energetic and very talented."

Cheerleaders from Ridgewood High School earned honors when the varsity squad went to UCA camp this summer in Normal, Illinois, Team building and perfecting skills gives them more confidence as the cheering season begins.
(Jerry Daliege/for Pioneer Press)

Ridgewood's 2008-2009 cheerleading team members are: seniors Samantha Popo, Maria Vukmarkaj and Johns; juniors Lexi Busse, Heather DeVries, Shannon Gregor, Allison Hartje, Alycia Kosnik, Karolina Reitmajer, Nicole Stroud and Nina Townsend; sophomores Michelle Bendel, Amanda Kelly, Nicole McCluskie, Kathy Ruda, Caroline Sadowicz and Mercedez Sostre; and freshmen Kristin Brinati, Mirella Camastra, Maria Kokkinias, Dana Monaco, Annalisa Nardulli and Nicole Stroud. The team captains are Popo, Vukmarkaj, Hartje and Sostre.

Article written by Wynn Koebel Foster in the Thursday, September 4, 2008 issue of the Pioneer Press Norridge and Harwood Heights News and online at http://www.pioneerlocal.com/norridge/news/1140773,no-cheerleader-090408-s1.article. Used with permission.

Mercedez Sostre hopes to cheer in London over New Year's

Mercedez Sostre, one of the members of the Ridgewood High School varsity cheerleading squad, is hoping to take her skills to London, England later this year.
(Jerry Daliege/for Pioneer Press)

She'd much rather be in London, England, performing in that city's New Year's Day parade. Sostre won the title All-Star this July at a cheer camp run by the Universal Cheerleading Association at Illinois State University in Normal, Ill. Twenty-five squads of girls competed. Ridgewood High School's squad, which Sostre co-captains, consisted of 23 cheerleaders. Only 11 girls won the title All-Star and, with it, the opportunity to go to London from Dec. 26 to Jan. 2 to cheer in the parade. Thousands of performers from around the world participate each year in the parade, which started in 1987.

Mercedez Sostre and members of the Ridgewood HS varsity cheerleading squad perform their award-winning routine.
(Jerry Daliege/for Pioneer Press)

"She's an incredible athlete, very mature for her age," cheerleading coach Laura Frayn, of Mount Prospect, said of Sostre. "Last year, as a freshman, she was our MVP."

But trips to London don't come cheap. Sostre needs $2,600 for hers. And because she's 15, her mother will have to go along as a chaperone. Without sponsors from the community, they won't be able to manage the expense.

"I love the thrill of cheerleading, especially stunting," Sostre admitted. "There's an adrenaline rush to it, besides having my squad supporting me. And I like being loud. That's hard for some of the girls."

The daughter of Charlotte and Sam Navarro, of Norridge, Sostre has five years of cheerleading experience. She brought three year's experience with the Mount Prospect Park District's program to Ridgewood High School.

"I was in shock when UCA picked me to be an All-Star," she said. "I thought all the girls that tried out were really good. But I'm so excited to go."

She plans to continue cheerleading in college.

"Maybe I'll go to Illinois State," she mused. "I thought the campus was really cool."

Residents who would like to help Sostre get to London are asked to contact Laura Frayn at Ridgewood High School, 7500 West Montrose Avenue, in Norridge, at lfrayn at ridgenet dot org or (708) 456-4242 extension 222.

Article written by Wynn Koebel Foster in the Thursday, September 4, 2008 issue of the Pioneer Press Norridge and Harwood Heights News and online at http://www.pioneerlocal.com/norridge/news/1140825,no-mercedez-090408-s1.article. Used with permission.

Ciangi, who was the girls coach the past two years, is encouraged by what she has seen in preseason and is anxious to see what her athletes will actually do when the 2008 campaign begins this week at the Saint Patrick Invitational.

"Our runners have been working diligently, despite the heat and humidity, since the practice season began in mid-August," Ciangi said. "The programs have expanded to 20 athletes, half of which are new to the sport.

"And more and more students are joining us every day. I feel, that as a team, cross country looks very promising this year."

Returning runners on the boys side are John Hajduk, Johnny Caravia, Tommy Caravia and Juan Silva. On the girls side, Bernie Mecinski, Catherin Hajduk, Marta Koterba and Yvonne Prus will lead the way.

"Most of the runners built a good base by running up to 10 miles a day," Ciangi said. "I think we will be ready for battle."

Article written by Jim Edison in the Thursday, September 4, 2008 issue of the Pioneer Press Norridge and Harwood Heights News and online at http://www.pioneerlocal.com/norridge/sports/highschools/1140789,no-rixty-090408-s1.article. Used with permission.

Principal Jennifer Buteyn
(Eric Davis/for Pioneer Press)

Additionally, our faculty and staff are dedicated to supporting individual student needs through various learning opportunities. We pride ourselves on educating the whole child. We look forward to a continued effort between home, school, and community to promote success and the desire for lifelong learning. Our success is linked to the support we receive from parents and other family members, community, and our fine staff.

Thank you for your interest and support.

Jennifer Buteyn
Principal