WOODSTOCK – Marian Central quarterback J.R. Budmayr walked to the sideline feeling horrible.

The Hurricanes’ drive for the go-ahead score against Carmel was thwarted when defensive back Nick Funteas picked off Budmayr’s pass at the Corsairs’ 31.

“I felt awful for my guys,” Budmayr said. “ I felt like I let them down. I was thinking, ‘If we get it back, I have to take full advantage.’ ”

Both Budmayr’s and the Hurricanes’ spirits quickly rebounded. Two plays later, the defense got the ball back. Three plays after that, Budmayr scrambled right and fired a strike off one foot to wide receiver Eric Ruschke.

The 36-yard touchdown lifted Marian to a 19-14 victory in their East Suburban Catholic Conference football game Friday at George Harding Field, a victory that can greatly enhance the Hurricanes’ playoff picture when the pairings are announced next Saturday.

Marian (6-2 overall, 4-2 ESCC) knocked Carmel (3-5, 3-3) out of the playoffs.

“That showed a lot of mental toughness [from Budmayr] to keep his composure and keep his wits about him,” Hurricanes coach Mike Maloney said. “I told him to make a play, that he knows how to do it. I was excited to see him make a big play like that.”

Right after Funteas picked off Budmayr, Carmel quarterback Jeremy Strutzel collided with a running back and fumbled. Marian’s Ike McGuire fell on the ball at the 32.

On third-and-14, Budmayr went back to pass and felt pressure from the left side. Ruschke was going deep down the left side, then changed his route as he saw Budmayr scrambling back right.

“I made dead eye contact with him,” Ruschke said. “I thought, ‘Oh, here we go … touchdown.’ ”

As he was scrambling, Budmayr saw Ruschke break open and wave to him.

“I knew Eric would make a play,” Budmayr said. “It seemed like that ball was up there forever.”

The play was even sweeter for Budmayr given that his family, including former Marian quarterbacks Brody and Jon Budmayr, was there to see it. Jon, a graduate assistant offensive coach at Wisconsin, was seeing his little brother play for the first time on J.R.’s Senior Night.

Carmel did not have a big offensive night, but Strutzel ran for a 52-yard touchdown in the third quarter for a 14-6 lead. Marian has rallied from behind in its last three victories.

“When you play teams that are even, it comes down to three or four plays you have to make to win,” Carmel coach Andy Bitto said. “They did that and they won the turnover battle.”

UNSUNG HERO

Wyatt Awe

Marian Central, Junior, LB

Awe had two tackles for losses earlier in the game, then stopped Carmel’s final two drives in the last 2:05 with a forced fumble and recovery, then an interception.

THE NUMBER

1

Rush of more than 10 yards by Hurricanes RB Emitt Peisert, who the Corsairs were keying on all game. That run was a 15-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter.

AND ANOTHER THING ...

Marian kicker Jake Higgins, who plays goalkeeper for the soccer team, was 2 for 3 on field goals, making boots of 24 and 42 yards in the first half. Higgins had another chance late in the game from 40, which had the distance to make it from 50, but was slightly wide left.

Marian Central 19, Carmel 14

Carmel     0    7    7    0    –    14

Marian Central    3    3    0    13    –    19

First quarter

MC–FG Higgins 24, 6:14.

Second quarter

MC–FG Higgins 42, 10:14.

C–Strutzel 3 run (Hellen kick), 1:10.

Third quarter

C–Strutzel 52 run (Hellen kick), 5:06.

Fourth quarter

MC–Peisert 15 run (run failed), 11:19.

MC–Ruschke 36 pass from Budmayr (Higgins kick), 2:05.

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS RUSHING–Carmel: Strutzel 12-98, Gawin 19-45, Barnes 4-30, Godziszewski 3-0. Totals: 38-173. Marian Central: Peisert 30-117, Cabusao 13-77, Ruschke 3-17, Budmayr 8-minus 27. Totals: 54-184.

PASSING–Carmel: Strutzel 0-1-1-0. Marian Central: Budmayr 9-14-1-127. RECEIVING–Marian Central: Ruschke 6-89, Tegtman 2-22, Cabusao 1-16.  TOTAL TEAM YARDS–Marian Central 311, Carmel 173. Sophomore score: Marian Central 20, Carmel 15.