Budmayr shining in playoff spotlight

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WOODSTOCK – Missing half the regular season apparently did little to hinder Jon Budmayr’s ability to throw a football and read defenses.

Spectating for 41⁄2 games while his aching left hamstring healed gave the Marian Central quarterback time to view things from a different perspective. He prepared as if he would be playing each weekend. He studied what he saw from the press box rather than the pocket. He tried to remain patient as games disappeared from the calendar.

Then, he let it all loose.

After a couple warmups at the end of the regular season against Driscoll and St. Francis, the 6-foot-1, 180-pound junior looked like a player with a lot of pent-up aggression once the IHSA Class 5A playoffs started.

Sterling, Montini and Nazareth Academy felt the wrath of Budmayr’s pinpoint-accurate right arm – to the tune of 1,002 yards in Marian’s first three playoff games.

Budmayr now will try to lead the Hurricanes (10-2) – who travel to Morris (10-2) for a 6 p.m. Saturday semifinal – back to the 5A state championship game. Marian lost last season’s 5A title game to Springfield Sacred Heart-Griffin, 35-14.

“It’s so nice to have a confident quarterback back there,” Marian guard Eric Parker said. “If we give [Budmayr] time, he’ll pick defenses apart. It’s great to have a guy back there we know is going to make plays all the time.”

Budmayr has completed 59 percent of his passes, with seven touchdowns and no interceptions in the playoffs. He suffered a partial tear of his left hamstring in the first half of Marian’s Week 3 game at Immaculate Conception and did not return until Week 8 against Driscoll.

“It definitely was tough,” Budmayr said. “During that time, you just keep preparing like you’re playing. You watch film, you see what those teams are doing and you just try to be as prepared as you can, knowing you’re not going to play that week. My teammates picked up the play and got us some really important wins.”

Although Budmayr only began running just before the Week 7 loss to Montini, he was able to throw most of the time he was rehabilitating. He went to physical therapy daily and eventually he was ready for another playoff run.

“He makes it a lot easier on us,” wide receiver Erik Reibel said. “All we have to do is catch the ball. Every time he throws it you have a chance on every route you run. I don’t think any other quarterback in the area reads defenses like Jon.”

Budmayr displayed the ability and character that led Marian coach Ed Brucker to promote him to varsity as a freshman. Budmayr received scholarship offers last summer from Northwestern and Wisconsin.

“He’s lights out,” Brucker said, shaking his head. “He’s a natural. He had the leadership qualities, and he’s a fine human being as well as football player and he accepts the responsibility of the position.”

Had Budmayr not missed the 41⁄2 games, he’d likely be closing in on 3,000 yards for the season instead of 2,000. Still, he’s doing his best work at the most crucial time.

“I was a little bit [surprised],” said Budmayr of his playoff accuracy. “I didn’t lose too much. With our receiving corps and our line, that gives me quite a bit of confidence. That’s the biggest thing, going out there and playing with confidence.”