JOLIET – The shortened, bizarre spring football season came to a conclusion Friday night for Joliet Catholic Academy, as they defeated Marmion Academy, 49-21, to finish undefeated at 6-0.
“It’s pretty cool to be undefeated, but it’s also so different this year because usually when you go undefeated and finish the year you are celebrating, but tonight after the game there were plenty of sad faces, but that shows what this entire experience meant to these kids, and this is such a special group” JCA coach Jake Jaworski said. “The goal was to be 6-0 and that was accomplished.
“This was truly a special group of seniors because they were my first class as freshmen when I became head coach four years ago, and that really means something to me.”
Marmion took the opening kickoff 63 yards on 11 plays to take a 7-0 lead and game was on. But Marmion hadn’t yet seen Jordan Anderson. All the Hilltoppers junior running back did in the first half was rush for 180 yards on 13 carries with three touchdowns to help JCA to a 28-7 lead at the half. He ended the game with 280 yards on 21 carries, caught one pass for 15 yards and scored four touchdowns.
“The seniors really meant a lot to me, and we all knew we had to get the job done tonight for them,” Anderson said. “Every senior class has given me pointers and they have really helped me.”
After that first 63-yard drive by Marmion, JCA made adjustments and held the Cadets to only 33 more yards in the first half.
“Our defense has come a long way with this senior class,” Jaworski said. “Jabril Williams is the leader on defense, and he brings such a positve attitude to every practice and game. How all of those players have evolved over the years is really special. I could mention everyone of them because they mean so much to this program.”
With 2:01 left in the third quarter senior Johnny Ehrsam made an incredible 24-yard catch in the end zone to put the Hilltoppers ahead, 35 -7. It was a special touchdown for Ehrsam, his second of the season.
“That was a very emotional moment for me,” Ehrsam said. “I have been dreaming about something like that since I was in second grade. This season has been some of the best moments of my life so far. It has been a great time with everyone.”
JCA’s final touchdown came from another key member of the senior class. Ja’Arie Mack scored on an eight-yard run with 9:39 left in the games. He ended his career with 70 rushing yards on 11 attempts.
“This entire season meant the world to me,” Mack said. “The adversity we all had to go through, and this team stuck together. If it wasn’t for JCA, our football family and everyone associated with our team I wouldn’t be playing at the next level.
Marmion (1-2) got an outstanding performance from their senior quarterback Paddy Fitzgerald who threw for 236 yards on 17-of-26 passing and had two touchdown passes of 55 and 13 yards.
It was only the third game of the season for the Cadets.
“We felt we could compete with them [JCA]. We respected them but did not fear them,” Marmion coach Dan Thorpe said. “We gave up 14 points offensively and that made a difference early, and Jordan Anderson is a special player, along with their offensive line. I’m very proud of our kids, especially the way we fought till the end.
“Fitzgerald had a very good game for us tonight and a great second half. He came up with some crucial first downs in that opening drive and threw the ball so well in the second half.”