Would frigid conditions derail Marist’s extraordinary playoff run?
That was the big question heading into Saturday’s Class 8A semifinal against Waubonsie Valley, a ground-based team which seemed better suited to deal with the glacial elements thanks to bruising running back Max Ihry.
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But Brendan Skalitzky proved that wasn’t the case. Marist’s dual-threat quarterback threw for a pair of touchdowns and added 187 yards and a score on the ground as the RedHawks captured a 31-16 home victory to advance to the state finals.
“We did what we normally do,” Marist coach Pat Dunne said. “We never even brought it up to the guys. It was exactly who we are as an offense. We didn’t change a thing.”
The RedHawks’ unlikely run continues next week at Huskie Stadium in DeKalb. Marist (9-4), the 23rd seed in 8A, will face top-seeded Loyola (13-0) in the title game at 7 p.m. Saturday.
“This group of seniors didn’t have a winning record their freshman, sophomore or junior years,” Dunne said. “And now they’re playing for a state championship.”
Skalitzky was a big reason for that. He finished 13-for-22 for 111 yards and hit Liam Keffer for two touchdowns. The first came on a 16-yard strike to open the scoring, the second from 12 yards to give Marist a 17-6 advantage after Waubonsie Valley’s Jack Connolly found Charles Robinson for a 52-yard TD.
Marist’s big play, though, didn’t came through the air.
Holding a 17-9 third-quarter lead, Skalitzky rocketed up the middle on a lead draw. Nobody caught him, and the 71-yard touchdown run made it 24-9
“I told Coach I wanted to run and do whatever I can to help us win,” Skalitzky said. “We said at halftime we’d run more, spread them out and run up the middle.”
Waubonsie Valley, the 30th seed, received 113 yards on 16 carries from Ihry, a two-way standout. The Warriors (8-5) were seeking their first trip to the state finals.
“We knew (Ihry) was a tough player,” Marist defensive lineman John Carmody said. “We were watching film on him and he was rolling over teams. … We were up to the challenge.”
Carmody helped Marist’s defense come up big late in the fourth quarter. The senior sacked Connolly for an 11-yard loss, setting up a punt as Marist held a 24-16 lead.
The RedHawks then iced the game when Darshon McCullough ran 18 yards for a touchdown on the ensuing possession. McCullough had 79 yards from scrimmage on 14 touches.
“When you’re a little kid, you dream about playing in the snow,” Carmody said. “It’s unbelievable; an unbelievable game.”
Logan Malloy is a freelance writer for the Daily Southtown.