United in tragedy

Marian Central’s Jordan Peart extends for a diving catch during Friday’s playoff game against Sterling in Woodstock. (Justin Runquist photo)

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WOODSTOCK – When Marian Central wide receiver Andy Stochl was told quarterback Jon Budmayr’s numbers for the first half, he only could laugh.

“That’s sick,” said Stochl, who was on the receiving end for 78 of the Hurricanes’ junior’s 367 passing yards before halftime.

Budmayr, who missed 41⁄2 games with a left hamstring injury in the middle of the season, appeared to be back in top form Friday as Marian blew past Sterling, 46-27, in their IHSA Class 5A playoff game at George Harding Field.

The Hurricanes (8-2) played about 8 hours after two Marian students – senior Taylor Wozniak and freshman Alexander Grys – died in an auto accident in Lakewood. Two other Marian students injured in the accident remained in critical condition Friday night.

Marian thought it could exploit Sterling’s defense with the pass, which it did, from the outset. Budmayr’s first pass, a 45-yard completion to Erik Reibel, set the tone for a huge offensive night. Budmayr completed 22 of 38 passes for 440 yards and three touchdowns, and the ’Canes rolled up 639 total yards against the Golden Warriors (6-4).

“One of the things we wanted to focus on was just being efficient and executing and getting that offense rolling again,” Budmayr said. “I thought it was a good game for the entire offense. The offensive line didn’t make me escape, kept them out. The receivers made plays all night long, catching balls behind them, they did a great job.”

Even when Sterling hit on big plays to running back Jake Hermes, who had 70 yards rushing and all 186 of the Warriors’ receiving yards, and took a 21-13 lead in the second quarter, Marian did not flinch.

“I was proud of the way they didn’t hang their heads, we got behind there and things looked bad, but our offense was clicking all day long,” Marian coach Ed Brucker said. “Jon’s capable of doing that anytime. He was out [with the injury], then he came back and couldn’t move very well. Now he’s feeling a little better. We really haven’t shown what we could do all year, really.”

In the second half, the Hurricanes pounded it out with their running game, grinding out 153 of its 199 rushing yards. Doug Simpson finished with 18 carries for 143 yards.

“That was our game plan, basically, we were going to come out firing [in the first half],” Brucker said. “We loosened them up a lot.”

Reibel (135), Jordan Peart (110) and Stochl (108) all had more than 100 yards receiving and at least five receptions.

“We didn’t think they could cover the pass, we thought we could pass all over,” Stochl said. “We knew we were going to come out passing.”

While Budmayr praised the linemen, they dished it right back.

“I don’t really pay much attention to his stats during the game,” Marian guard Cody O’Neill said. “All I know is when the offense is moving, Jon’s on top of things. The running game gets going because Jon’s going to throw the ball. It makes everything run so much smoother.”