Senior quarterback Gino Martino didn’t mince his words Thursday night. But if you’re looking for the biggest believer in West Aurora football, look no further.
Martino erupted in the second half, completing 11 of 21 passes for 232 yards. He had two touchdowns and two interceptions, including one on the final play of the game.
Quitting is not an option.
“We know we have great potential,” Martino said after a 36-31 loss to Joliet West. “We haven’t really shown it all. We have a great group of skill guys. We have a great O-line.
“Very frustrating loss, obviously one we needed to win with our current record. Every game is a playoff game moving forward. I still have a lot of confidence. Don’t count us out yet.”
The host Blachawks (1-3) didn’t count themselves out Thursday, even after falling behind by two TDs and having minus-7 yards of offense in the first half.
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West Aurora actually fought back and took the lead in the fourth quarter.
Ultimately, however, Joliet West quarterback Carl Bew was too much to overcome. He scored his fifth TD, fourth rushing, with 20 seconds left to help the Tigers (1-3) escape.
“I was proud of our kids,” West Aurora coach Nate Eimer said. “I’ve been here a long time. A lot of teams down two scores quit. We came back and took the lead.
“We just didn’t finish how we wanted.”
Eimer wasn’t surprised it was Martino who spearheaded the comeback, either.
After completing only 5 of 14 passes in the first half, the 6-foot, 180-pound Martino ended up 16 of 35 for 238 yards and the two TDs.
“He’s one of the most amazing young men I’ve ever coached,” Eimer said of Martino. “He’s one of our best leaders, has the best character. He’s awesome.”
The Blackhawks were buoyed by two TDs on special teams in the first half. Despite having a mere three first downs, they trailed just 21-14 at halftime.
Two of those first downs came on penalties by from Joliet West, which got flagged 22 times for 197 yards in the game.
After the Blackhawks were forced to punt on the first possession of the game, Ezekyel Brooks forced a fumble and Samuel Stone scooped up the ball, running 10 yards for a TD.
Later in the first half, Rashard Wright blocked a field goal attempt by Joliet West, picked up the ball and raced 89 yards for another TD.
Joliet West scored to start the third quarter, though, pushing the lead to 28-14. Martino got things cooking for the Blackhawks from there, and the main recipient was Andrew Kolich.
After being held without a catch in the first half, Kolich hooked up with Martino seven times for 135 yards. That included a 30-yard TD catch that got West Aurora back into the game.
“I’ve played varsity football with him for three years,” Martino said. “That’s my go-to. I really do believe he’s the best athlete on the field and I trust him.”
A 27-yard field goal from Casey Roney near the end of the third quarter would cut the deficit to 28-24.
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Martino went back to work after the Blackhawks forced a turnover on downs. He hit sophomore Terrence Smith for a 58-yard TD, giving West Aurora a short-lived 31-28 lead.
“Look out for him,” Martino said of Smith. “That man right there is a Division I basketball player, and definitely a Division I football player, too.”
Bew came up with the winning rally, however. He ran for 221 yards and four TDs on 25 carries. He also passed for 220 yards and a TD.
Martino, meanwhile, isn’t ready to let his team quit, even after such a tough loss.
“I think we’re a resilient team,” Martino said. “There’s a lot of learning to do. Start simplifying it, make the easy plays. We have some great players on the field.
“It’s all about clawing back.”
Paul Johnson is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.