St. Rita’s Steven Armbruster learned the most complex position on the field from a perfect mentor.
His father, Steve, a former standout at Stagg who played long snapper in college at Notre Dame, helped sharpen Steven’s technique at quarterback during youth league football in Orland Park.
“His impact and influence on my life was everything,” said Armbruster, who’s entering his senior season with the Mustangs. “From a football standpoint, his IQ is very high.
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“If I ever asked him a question when I was watching film, he was always right there. He’s been one of my biggest supporters.”
Now, the son also rises as the younger Armbruster has been making his own name and reputation for St. Rita, which comes in at No. 3 in the Daily Southtown preseason rankings.
As a sophomore two years ago, Armbruster took over the starting role midway through the season. He then flourished last year for the Mustangs (10-3), completing 136 of 230 passes for 1,811 yards and 17 touchdowns. He added six rushing TDs.
Senior wide receiver Walter Jones, who caught six TD passes last fall from Armbruster, Is impressed.
“He’s just a great dual-threat quarterback,” Jones said. “We always get things done in the passing game. If we don’t have the time, he knows how to get things done with his feet.”
St. Rita coach Martin Hopkins, who returns 13 starters, immediately saw how Armbruster’s temperament, poise and pocket presence set him apart.
“Sometimes, sophomores see small pictures,” Hopkins said. “He always saw the big picture at a young age. You could tell he was brought up around football.
“He came in right away, ran a varsity offense, and that’s what you need from a quarterback.”
Armbruster plays a lot of golf when he’s not involved with football. The serenity and quiet exactitude of those outings correspond perfectly with main sport.
“I think it’s just about staying calm,” Armbruster said. “Last season or after the season was over, I’d watch film and just see where I’d be rushing things or trying to do too much.
”I think the big thing I’ve learned is just never trying to do too much out there and make plays.”
Armbruster hopes to use his platform as a senior to secure a preferred walk-on role at Villanova or Fordham. He also knows the quarterback has a disproportionate impact on the game.
Preparation, instruction and game film are just part of the equation. The area he has worked on the hardest to master is developing composure and presence for the moment.
”I like having the responsibility on me,” he said. “I know I can compete, and that’s when I play my best — when I’m under pressure.
“I just feel really comfortable. I’ve got all of my guys around me. I do what I need to do for the team to win, whether throwing touchdowns, passing for a lot of yards or running touchdowns.”
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Quarterbacks never exist in a vacuum. While Armbruster exudes an outgoing personality, a natural part of the job is pushing the rest of his teammates to reach their optimal levels.
“His leadership and his understanding of the playbook are exceptional,” Hopkins said. ”The intangible is how he motivates those around him. I think he does a great job of rallying the guys.”
All of St. Rita’s losses last season came against eventual state champions — twice against rival Mount Carmel, the last time in the Class 7A state semifinal, and once to Nazareth.
Jack Elliott, the Caravan’s quarterback last year, was Armbruster’s teammate with the Orland Park Pioneers. The memory of that second defeat against Mount Carmel still stings.
However, it fueled Armbruster’s offseason workouts and participation in summer camps.
“I like competing and I like winning,” he said. “If the game’s close, I like when it’s in my hands. That’s my opportunity to show that it’s my time and prove we are the best team out there.”
Quick hits
Team: St. Rita.
2024 record: 10-3.
Offensive leaders: Steven Armbruster, senior, quarterback; Walter Jones, senior, wide receiver; Brandon Johnson Jr., junior, running back; Mitch Street, junior, tackle.
Defensive leaders: Owen Lynch, senior, linebacker; Langston Smith, senior, defensive back; Mitch Street, junior, defensive end; Brayden Medrano, senior, defensive end.
X-factor: Donovan Evans, junior, wide receiver.
Patrick Z. McGavin is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.