Nov. 08--On the biggest play of one of the wildest games of the season, the call was for a guy who was little more than a spectator in a crazy light show all night.
But when senior James Dunican pulled down his only reception of the game -- a 3-yard toss over the middle from quarterback Brendan Skalitzky with 16 seconds remaining, Marist pulled off an stunner.
The RedHawks defeated Barrington 59-56 in a Class 8A second-round game Saturday night in Chicago. Marist (7-4) will play at Oswego (9-2) in next week's quarterfinals.
In a contest that featured a combined 1,231 yards, Barrington (9-2) appeared to be the last team standing. They went ahead 55-52 on quarterback Johnny Davidson's 1-yard plunge with 1 minute, 8 seconds left to complete a 13-play, 65-yard drive that featured a fourth-and-24 conversion from Davidson to Jake Zyzda.
But Marist's Seamus Glascott returned the ensuing kickoff 45 yards to Barrington territory. Seven plays later, Skalitzky called Dunican's number.
"We practice that, I think we did it against Joliet Catholic, we waited all game," Skalitzky said. :Ran it and it was perfect execution. James is probably one of the hardest workers on the team. He's so selfless, he blocks for everyone. I'm so glad it went to him. It was a great catch."
"I just ran to the open spot and caught it," Dunican said. "It was designed to me. I just trusted my teammates to do their job and we got the W."
Skalitzky accounted for 633 total yards (445 passing, 188 rushing) and eight touchdowns (five passing, three rushing). Davidson passed for 217 yards and two TDs and rushed for 112 and another score.
Barrington saw four second-half leads disappear after coming back from a 28-21 halftime deficit.
"I thought maybe we did just enough there at the end," Barrington coach Joe Sanchez said. "Take your hat off to them, they executed when they needed to and they made just one more play than we did when it came to this shootout."
Phil English is a freelance reporter for the Chicago Tribune.
Player of the game: Brendan Skalitzky, Marist, 26-for-39, 445 yards, 5 TDs; 19 carries, 188 yards, 3 TDs.
Key performers: Marist -- Darshon McCullough, 5 receptions, 207 yards, 3 TDs. Barrington -- Johnny Davidson, 14-for-21, 217 yards, 2 TDs; 18 carries, 112 yards, TD.
