Under pressure: Illinois-bound defensive end Pat Farrell, who grew up on the same street as his head coach, likes to ‘make that bull rush’ for St. Rita.

Senior defensive end Pat Farrell excels as an edge rusher for St. Rita.

As a result, Farrell commands attention on every play. The Illinois recruit feels both flattered and frustrated by the constant double teams he faces, but there is a bonus.

“It’s a blessing and a curse,” Farrell said of the double teams. “I feel like I play very aggressively as a result, and I have shown a very good first step.”

That first step looked like a leap Saturday afternoon.

The 6-foot-6, 250-pound Farrell had six tackles, three for loss, to set a dominant tone for the Mustangs in 28-7 victory over St. Charles North in a Class 7A state quarterfinal.

Farrell added four quarterback hurries for St. Rita (10-2), which will play host to archrival Mount Carmel (12-0) at 4 p.m. Saturday in the state semifinals.

It’s a rematch from the season opener on Aug. 26 when the Caravan won 35-3 over the Mustangs, who are seeking their third appearance in the state title game since 2019.

For Farrell, it’s just the next rung up the ladder.

An imposing and towering force, he’s a versatile threat on defense for the Mustangs, combining the size of a lineman with the agility and speed of an outside linebacker.

“Just getting to the quarterback and hitting people is my favorite part,” he said. “I like being able to make that bull rush against the quarterback.”

Few teams have the battle scars of the Farrell-led Mustangs.

St. Rita has played four teams — Mount Carmel, Loyola, Nazareth, Providence — that have qualified for the state semifinals.

In his first year as a starter last season, Farrell helped the Mustangs reach the 7A state championship game. That iteration of him is virtually unrecognizable.

“Last year, I was just a really crazy skinny kid, probably just 200 pounds,” Farrell said. “And now I’m at 250.

“Having the strength on the field and being able to overpower people is way different from last year, where I just had to use my quickness.”

Farrell’s pressure in the fourth quarter Saturday and hit on St. Charles North quarterback Will Vaske created a deflection that senior defensive end Jack Cronin intercepted.

“I just like to take after what my coaches tell me and play as hard as I can,” said Cronin, who finished with five tackles and a fumble recovery.

If Farrell is tall and overpowering, the 6-0 Cronin is savvy, quick and explosive.

“I go out there and do my best,” Cronin said. “And (Saturday night), that showed.”

The Mustangs showcased elite ability on special teams to turn the game around against St. Charles North (10-2). St. Rita scored two touchdowns off blocked punts.

In the opening minute of the first quarter, junior linebacker Noah Gertonson recovered a blocked punt by senior defensive back JaMycheal Towns in the end zone.

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The Kingsbury brothers collaborated on the second special teams TD. James, a sophomore linebacker, registered the block that his older brother Matt, a senior, returned 16 yards with 7:20 left in the fourth.

“Our special teams coach, J.J. Standring, prepares us very well,” Towns said. “His favorite saying is we’re all out of bullets and we have to keep swinging and keep fighting.”

That fight continues against Mount Carmel.

Farrell is ready for the next step, eager to send retiring coach Todd Kuska out in style.

“He lives right down the street from us,” Farrell said. “I knew I could not play for any other coach from the time I was in second grade.

“Just being part of a historic program and winning the games takes all of the stress away.”

Patrick Z. McGavin is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.