CN100 Game of the Week preview: Football Week 9 - Marian Central vs. St. Patrick

IHSA Football Week 9 – Marian Central vs. St. Patrick

CHICAGO – Two teams with different agendas face off in East Suburban Catholic play when CN100 Game of the Week visits Hanson Stadium in Chicago.
St. Patrick is hoping to end its season on a high note with the playoffs no longer a possibility. Marian Central is hoping to finish the regular season strong and enhance its playoff seed. The game can be seen on CN100, The Comcast Network at Noon and 4 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 25, and at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 27. You can also see it anytime in HD with Xfinity On Demand.
Marian (6-2, 4-2) bounced back from consecutive losses to Joliet Catholic and Niles Notre Dame with a 33-13 win over St. Viator and a 19-14 win over Carmel.
The Hurricanes are primarily a running team, led by senior running back Emitt Peisert, who has rushed for 1,211 yards and nine touchdowns in 180 carries. Senior quarterback Joseph Budmayr keeps defenses honest, going 85-for-169 for 731 yards, 10 touchdowns and eight interceptions. He’s added four rushing scores. His top target is senior wide receiver Eric Buschke with 41 catches for 400 yards and seven touchdowns.
“They’re going to be an aggressive team and they’re going to be a power team,” St. Patrick coach Dan Galante said. “Everything starts with their running game. They’ve had a great year. The good thing is that at least we’ve got them at home.”
Junior outside linebacker Wyatt Awe leads the way defensively with 38 tackles, seven tackles for loss, two sacks, three interceptions and two fumble recoveries. Senior strong safety Michael Miceli leads the team with 53 tackles. Senior cornerback Luke Tegtman has three interceptions.
Playing in the morning and on the spongy turf of Hanson Stadium provides obstacles for Marian Central, but Hurricanes coach Mike Maloney is trying to keep his team on point.
“This is a unique challenge for us,” Maloney said. “It’s important for us to start fast and play consistent football. With the playoffs looming, this game has seeding implications. We feel we are on a business trip and our players will be treating this game as the opening round of the playoffs.”
St. Patrick (3-5, 1-5) saw its playoff hopes dashed by a five-game losing streak. The Shamrocks snapped that string with a 13-0 win over St. Viator last week.
The Shamrocks are led by 6-foot-6 senior quarterback Paddy Devlin. A former receiver, Devlin was injured in the opening week and came back week six. He’s still managed to go 65-for-114 for 958 yards, eight touchdowns and two interceptions. St. Patrick spreads it around in the pass game. Junior wide receiver Andrew Edgar leads the team with 51 catches for 685 yards and six touchdowns. Senior wide receiver Trevor Heinlein adds 23 catches for 528 yards and seven touchdowns. Junior wide receiver Jonathan Hamilton has 26 catches for 507 yards and six touchdowns.
Junior running back Nikolas Childress controls the run game with 985 yards and 11 touchdowns in 158 carries.
Senior DB Artie Kadet leads St. Patrick with 46 tackles. Junior DB Michael Valicento has three picks. Junior LB Ivan Gonzalez (45 tackles) and junior DB Mike Coughlin (40 tackles) pitch in as well.
“Paddy Devlin leads his squad with confidence,” Maloney said. “They have some really solid skill players. Their speed is enhanced when playing on that carpet. I know coach Galante will have his team playing very hungry on Saturday.”
- Paul Johnson, CN100 Correspondent

Stay up to date on all of CN100’s games this season by visiting our website, or follow CN100 Sports on Facebook and Twitter to see where our crew will be next. When the games are done, tune into to see the best in Chicagoland prep sports each week with CN100 Sports Weekly. Game of the Week video highlights, Battle of the Fans clips and Prep Profile previews can all be found on our YouTube page - Sports Weekly.