Maine South offensive coordinator Charlie Bliss estimated he’s called the play as many as eight times this season.
Sophomore running back Fotis Kokosioulis said the play — dubbed “Money” — works every time.
It definitely came through for the Hawks at the end of regulation on Friday, Oct. 2, in their 34-31 overtime win over Glenbrook South in a Central Suburban South game.
With 19.3 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter and his team down seven points, Kokosioulis caught a 5-yard touchdown pass from senior quarterback Brian Collis that sent the game into overtime. Kokosioulis then scored the game-winning touchdown on a 2-yard run after the Titans kicked a 27-yard field goal on their first possession of the extra period in Park Ridge.
“When I heard the play call from coach Bliss on the sideline, I automatically knew it was going to be good,” Kokosioulis said of his touchdown catch. “That play is open every time.”
The win ran Maine South’s conference winning streak to 72 games, but earlier in the night it looked to be in serious jeopardy. The Hawks trailed by two touchdowns with under 10 minutes to play.
Maine South’s rally started when Collis connected with Ryan Gibbons on a 21-yard scoring pass with 8:26 left in the fourth quarter. Collis then connected with Kokosioulis on the tying score.
With an empty backfield, Kokosioulis lined up in the slot next to senior flanker Jon Arenas. He ran a quick out to the right corner, and Collis delivered the pass on time. It capped a 12-play, 80-yard drive that spanned less than one minute and was executed without the assistance of timeouts. The Hawks (4-2, 2-0) had used up their timeouts stopping Glenbrook South on the previous possession.
“We had great blocks, and Fotis ran a great route to get open,” Collis said. “He got the separation he needed from the linebacker, and he did a great job of hanging on to the ball.”
Collis credited the coaches for calling the right plays at the right times Friday. The third-year starter spearheaded two long touchdown drives in the fourth quarter that erased a 14-point deficit with 9:54 left in the fourth quarter.
“We have the best coaches around,” he said. “They are going to give us the best opportunities to make the plays. Our job is to execute.”
Bliss said he might have called the play, but it was his players who did the hard part.
“It’s a read route, a two-man game,” he said. “Brian made the right call to throw it to Fotis. How crazy was that drive? Brian came of age right there. He was our leader out there. What he did was awesome.”
Kokosioulis, who stands 5-foot-8 and weighs 155 pounds, was instrumental on Maine South’s scoring series that started the game. He had five touches on the drive that ended with junior running back Antonio Cristiano’s 1-yard run for a 7-0 lead.
But Kokosioulis only touched the ball five more times before catching the game-tying touchdown and then scoring the game-winning touchdown.
“Words can’t really describe what just happened,” Kokosioulis said. “We played tough, and we all did our part. We just believed in ourselves.”
Game notes
* The team’s last league loss was a 17-7 defeat to New Trier in 2000. The Hawks play the Trevians (6-0, 2-0) in Northfield on Friday, Oct. 9.
Collis went 11-for-21 for 168 yards, two touchdowns and no turnovers in the fourth quarter and overtime. Bliss said Collis got the game ball for his performance.
Glenbrook South (3-3, 1-1) scored on its first three possessions of the first half and led the Hawks 21-14 at the break. The Titans took a 28-14 lead on senior running back Ryan Janczak’s 1-yard run — the 14th play of the drive — on fourth-and-goal early in the fourth quarter.
On the Titans’ final four possessions of the fourth quarter, they had one first down.
More Top Picks Best Box Blades
Janczak finished with 31 carries for 165 yards. Senior quarterback Daniel Jenkins had two touchdown passes and ran for another score.
* Glenbrook South travels to play Evanston (4-2, 1-1) at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 9..
Twitter: @harnesspreps