Zach Lukasik stood tall when Joliet Catholic’s defense needed him the most Friday night.
Lukasik recorded a pair of sacks on Marist’s last two possesions, including one that led to an interception by Bill Rotnicki and a 3-yard touchdown run by Michael Johnson that put JCA ahead 28-21 with 2:45 left to play in the fourth quarter.
That was the highlight of a fourth-quarter defensive effort that helped the Hilltoppers prevail 35-28 over the RedHawks in East Suburban Catholic action at Memorial Stadium in Joliet.
Michael Johnson finished with 154 yards rushing on 22 carries with two TDs for JCA (8-1, 6-1). Ke’Von Johnson added 10 carries for 94 yards rushing and also contributed an 80-yard TD catch from Cade Earl.
Lukasik’s other sack, meanwhile, led to a desperation play by Marist (5-4, 4-3) that resulted in a fumble. Patrick Tippet recovered and scored a touchdown for the 35-21 lead. The RedHawks added a late score, but could not recover the onside kick.
“We knew they would be a hard offense coming in, our plan was to pound them hard and watch their short passes,” Lukasik said. “Once we fixed that at halftime (short passes) I felt we really started to connect as a defense.”
One of the game’s biggest plays was the 80-yard pass from Earl to Ke’Von Johnson. It gave JCA a 21-14 lead with 3:56 to play in the third quarter.
“Ke’Von ran a great route, made a great catch and run after,” Earl said. “It feels great (to win), it’s a new season. We’re starting fresh and ready to make a run to state.”
Marist (5-4, 4-3) tied it at 21-21 on a 39-yard pass from Brendan Skalitzky to James Dunican in the final minute of the third. Skalitzky threw for 295 yards and four touchdowns.
Skalitzky threw two TD passes in the second quarter to make it 14-14 at halftime. Liam Keffer had four catches for 98 yards. Dunican added three catches for 71 yards.
Tinley Park 35, T.F. South 34 (OT): Dan McCullough had three TD runs, including a 1-yarder in overtime, to propel Tinley Park (7-2, 4-2 SSC Blue). Reis Padjen (4 TD passes) led T.F. South (4-5, 3-3).
Reavis 56, Argo 12: Khalid Norvell’s two first-half TDs guided Reavis (8-1, 5-1 SSC Red) to its first conference title since 1983. Argo finished 0-9, 0-6.
Richards 41, Oak Lawn 0: Pat Doyle (22 carries) ran for 165 yards and two TDs for Richards (6-3, 5-1 SSC Red). Oak Lawn closed 1-8, 1-5.
Lockport 35, Joliet West 6: Ben Davis’ two TD passes to Patrick Cooper (40, 9 yards) boosted Lockport (4-5, 4-3 SWSC Blue).
Providence 36, Lake Forest Academy 6: Mike Markasovic had three TDs, including a 90-yard kickoff return, for Providence (3-6).
Stagg 49, Joliet Central 12: Herbert Hughes (11 carries, 202 yards, 2 TDs) led Stagg (2-7, 1-6 SWSC Blue).
St. Laurence 56, Alleman 7: Fayezon Smart (85-yard punt return) contributed three TDs for St. Laurence (7-2).
Shepard 19, Bremen 10: E.J. Rueck had three TDs, including a 40-yard fumble return, for Shepard (5-4). Bremen finished 1-8.
Benet 21, Marian Catholic 14: Cam Thomas (2 TD passes) paced Marian Catholic (1-8, 0-7 ESCC).
Guerin 37, Chicago Christian 7: Henry Light had a TD pass for Chicago Christian (1-8, 0-5 MSC East).
Boys Soccer
Andrew 1, Thornton co-op 0 (SO): Fabian Sustaita scored and also made two saves in the shootout for host Andrew (8-10-2) in the Class 3A regional final.
Sandburg 3, Homewood-Flossmoor 0: Mike Margas (goal) and Derek McCurdy (shutout) aided Sandburg (13-7-1) in the Class 3A Brother Rice Regional championship.
Girls Tennis
State Tournament: All local competitors were eliminated during the second day of the event hosted by Buffalo Grove. Homewood-Flossmoor (17) was tied for sixth, the Vikings led by the doubles team of Brittany Henry and Kaela Mack, who won three times before falling 6-0, 6-4 to New Trier’s Tess Lubin and Michelle Buyer in the consolation quarterfinal. H-F’s Haleigh Porter and Joliet Catholic’s Nina Bertino were knocked out in the sixth round of the consolation bracket, Porter losing 6-2, 6-2 to Stevenson’s Zoe Taylor and Bertino dropping a 7-5, 6-2 decision to Elk Grove’s Jelena Vujanic.
Bob Hurst is a freelance writer for the Daily Southtown. Freelance writer Josh Krockey contributed to this story.
