Junior quarterback Jake Fleming feels right at home behind center for Marist.
As a matter of fact, Fleming has always known where he was meant to play on the football field. The past was a prelude as he recognized his future position at an earlier age than most.
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“I feel like I’ve known ever since I was a kid that being the quarterback is what I wanted to do,” Fleming said. “This has been my thing, and now, I’m just working every day to be the starter.
“The past has definitely helped with that.”
That future also looked bright Saturday in Chicago. Fleming passed for 259 yards and three touchdowns, leading the host RedHawks to a 44-28 nonconference victory over Simeon.
Tommy Hosty, a senior all-purpose star, scored two rushing TDs out of the Wildcat formation and set up another TD with an interception for Marist (1-0). Senior running back Conor Hunt chipped in with 136 yards on 28 carries and caught a 33-yard TD pass.
The most significant connection for the young quarterback, meanwhile, was also his most familiar. Sophomore receiver Conor Fleming, Jake’s brother, caught five passes for 74 yards and two TDs.
In the first career start for both players, Jake Fleming threw a dart over the middle in the second quarter that his brother turned into a 30-yard TD catch — the first career score for both players.
Fittingly, Jake’s final pass was a 22-yard TD pass to Conor early in the fourth quarter.
“It was amazing,” Conor said. “We’ve been working together since we could walk and today we made it happen when it really mattered. We started when I was in fourth grade and he was in fifth.
“We have just been building that connection.”
The brothers’ connection to the program runs through their family. Their father, Pat, is the RedHawks’ athletic director who also served as a longtime assistant coach in football.
Marist coach Mike Fitzgerald first met Jake Fleming during his previous five-year stint as an assistant for the RedHawks from 2008 to 2013. Back then, Jake was knee high to the coach.
Fitzgerald’s return to direct the program in 2024 came during Jake’s freshman year.
“He’s been around the game his whole life,” Fitzgerald said. “He’s a very cerebral kid who understands a lot. You can throw a lot at him and he can make adjustments on the fly.
“He has all of the intangibles you need with a quarterback. He was really in the moment.”
Fleming completed 12 of 17 passes for 259 yards and an interception. He also came through with 41 yards on four carries to offset Simeon’s quick, athletic pass rush.
Still, until the opening drive, Fleming had never thrown a pass on the varsity level.
“We were born in this program,” he said. “I’ve never wanted anything more than to win and be a part of this. The offensive line did a great job of giving me time to make the plays.”
Jake’s family connection didn’t give him any special advantages or a fast track to the role.
“Nothing was guaranteed for me,” Fleming said. “I don’t think because of my dad and who he is created any pressure. I had earn it. I also think leadership is one of my best qualities.
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“I know the offense so well and I know where to go with the ball.”
The Fleming brothers also know how to help each other, both on and off the field. Conor was the first player to approach him after Jake threw an interception in the second quarter.
”We critique each other and like to give it back when something goes wrong,” Jake said. “We’ve always been competitive with each other. I’m glad he’s one of the players on our team.
“I just knew he’d be able to make a play.”
Patrick Z. McGavin is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.