EXTRA EFFORT
Bohanek’s PAT block sends the RedHawks on way to rout of JCA
With one definitive play Friday night, Marist’s Colin Bohanek helped to turn a whiteknuckle affair into a rout.
The junior linebacker blocked Joliet Catholic’s extra-point attempt late in the second quarter, depriving the Hilltoppers of a chance to tie the score.
“It completely changed the momentum of the game,” Bohanek said. “After they scored, we thought we were in a battle. Instead, we kept the edge and it changed our mindset that we could win the game.”
The blocked kick was the prelude to an onslaught.
Moments later, senior quarterback Mike Markett collaborated with junior wide receiver Jadon Thompson for a 30-yard touchdown pass. And Joliet Catholic never got closer.
Markett completed 8 of 13 passes for 240 yards, ran for 119 yardsandaccounted for fourTDs as Marist rolled to a 42-6 East Suburban Catholic victory in Chicago.
Bohanek and cornerback Nile Hill had interceptions in the second half for the RedHawks (4-1, 3-0).
Thompson finished with five catches for 157 yards. Markett and Thompson put the exclamation point on their superb duet with a 96-yard TD pass on the final play of the third quarter.
Marist scored five TDs in just over 13 minutes from the end of the second quarter to the final passing sequence.
“When I heard the call come in, Iwas sohappyandIwanted to make my team proud of me,” Thompson said. “I saw it and went up, caught it and I sawopen space and I just started running,”
In the third quarter, Markett completed 3 of 3 passes for 155 yards and the two TDs to Thompson.
Markett also was dangerous with his feet. His 46-yard run set up a 16-yard TD run by Billy Skalizky, who delivered 88 yards on 16 carries.
Markett turned the game into a family celebration as well. His 42-yard pass to his younger brother Anthony led to his own 5-yardTDrun.
“I’ve always consideredmyself a pass-first quarterback, but I am not afraid to usemy feet if I have to,” MikeMarkett said.
The rapport between Markett and Thompsonwas evident.
“I have been playing with him for 2 1⁄ years,” Markett said. “It is
2 a cat-and-mouse game with him. If teams want to take away throwing the ball over the top to him, it opens up the rest of our offense.”
PatrickZ. McGavin is a freelancer.