BY Andrew Dreischarf
The Marian Central Catholic High School football team had a great season. No, the Hurricanes didn’t go to state, but so what? This team was deeper than just wins.
The word “team” is often over-looked when it comes to sports. Too many people value a team based on wins and losses or individual players. Yes, wins do matter. However, they are not the be-all and end-all of sports.
The Hurricanes put together a magnificent season in 2007, overcoming hardships and adversity to finish with a 10-3 record.
The boys on this team played like a team, taking care of their teammates and helping each other out. They cared about one another. When one player felt pain, they all did. Most importantly, they never gave up.
Marian started the season at a disadvantage, having a very small roster of players. While most schools dress anywhere between 30 and 50 kids for home games, Marian spent the season with about 20 to 25 players available for most of its games. This meant players had to play more downs, and many of them played both offense and defense. All this while their opponents had the luxury of using fresh players.
The Hurricanes also faced many injuries throughout the season. When junior quarterback Jon Budmayr went down with a hamstring injury, the ’Canes didn’t panic; they stepped up. Marian suffered just two regular season losses to two great teams in Driscoll Catholic and Montini. The loss to the Highlanders was avenged in the playoffs on the road in Lombard. The ’Canes were without senior T.J. Pappas for the last few playoff games due to an injury. Numerous players, including senior Jack Gilleland, played games with casts on because there were just not enough guys to play. The players gave it their all.
Often, the ’Canes also had to come from behind to win. That’s a sign of a good team. They may get down, but they bounce back. Players stepped up when they needed to do so.
They all looked so happy together as a team. When Morris ended the season for Marian, I couldn’t help but feel for those players. They all looked so happy together as a team. When some of them cried after the loss, I felt sad as well. You couldn’t help but want this group to win.
The 2007 team was a close one. Budmayr hugged senior tackle Sean Cwynar after the team was eliminated, almost as if to say, “Hey, it’s going to be OK. We did well.”
The seniors were the ones I felt for most of all. After they finished second in the state last year, many thought they were going to win it all this year. I wanted to see seniors Cwynar, Pappas, Gilleland, receiver Karsten Hamilton-Smith, defensive end Brett Leahy, receiver Brett Micek, receiver Christopher Kunzweiler, running back Eric Reibel, running back Doug Simpson and receiver Jordan Peart win at state this season. I also really wanted to see head coach Ed Brucker win with this team. Their loss became the fans’ loss as well. They deserved to win. The loss in Morris truly was heartbreaking for the team, as well as for fans at the game or listening at home.
The ’Canes also had to overcome their playoff seeding. Despite having just two losses, Marian wasn’t viewed by the selection committee as a strong team. Marian proved them wrong by winning three playoff games. It was a tough season all around. If the team felt disrespected in any way, I can’t blame them, but they played the cards they were dealt without making any fuss. They were a good group of young men who played football they way it is supposed to be played. They didn’t quit, and they played with great sportsmanship. That’s something you don’t always see today in sports. This squad was very admirable.
For all they had against them this season, I say, “Well done, ’Canes. Congratulations on a fine season.”
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