Instant Classic: Marist Victory over Joliet Catholic Will Not Soon Be Forgotten

It was a wild finish to a great game.

With so many points being scored, so much excitement and so much on the line, you couldn’t fault the players, coaches and even the referees for losing track of the number of downs on the final possession in Marist's 56-51 victory over Joliet Catholic Academy on Friday night.

With Marist clinging to a 56-49 lead in a battle between two teams standing at or near the top of the East Suburban Catholic Conference standings, it looked like the referees, not the players, who were going to determine the outcome.

On third-and-goal from the RedHawks' 8 with 22 seconds left, Hilltopper quarterback Craig Slowik took a risk and tried to run into the end zone. He fell short. And, unbeknownst to the Hilltoppers, they faced fourth down.

Thinking it was third down, the Hilltoppers spiked the ball and the RedHawk fans rejoiced thinking they had won the classic. But, not so fast, as the referees allowed the Hilltoppers to line up for the 'fifth down’ play.

Tongue in cheek grins could be seen on the Hilltopper side, while RedHawk fans and their team were lived.

“It was something I have never seen before, but I was glad they eventually made the right call,” RedHawk coach Pat Dunne said.

The referees huddled not once, not twice, but three times before finally awarding Marist the ball. Hilltopper coach Dan Sharp was so upset after the game that he needed assistance on the sidelines as he appeared to hyperventilate, resulting in a jubiliant crowd turning silent.

But, after several minutes, Sharp arose and gave a thumbs up to the huddled up RedHawk team signaling the end to a great game. Nobody in attendance will soon forget this game as standout players on both sides stepped up in the big game.

Don’t be surprised if both of these teams are playing deep into the postseason and quite possibly in state championship games in their respective playoff classes.

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