Big punts and Jack Paris' stint on offense help Fenwick knock off Brother Rice

Linebacker Jack Paris is such a leader on Fenwick’s football team that when Auburn recruit Nate Marshall discusses practice, he mentions what Friars coach Matt Battaglia and Paris had to say.

“[Paris and Battaglia] put a huge emphasis on going 100% on every play,” Marshall said. “Two or three plays would decide this game, and you never know which one it will be.”

Paris was a force on defense throughout the game and checked in on offense with eight carries for 21 yards.

“I told Coach that I want that rock,” Paris said. “I used to play quarterback when I was younger, so I know how to run the rock a little bit.’’

Paris’ rushing numbers appear average, but they came on crucial short-yardage plays that helped seal a 12-7 victory for the Friars against Brother Rice in the first round of the Class 7A playoffs Saturday at Triton.

“We’ve been saving [Paris on offense] for a big game,” Battaglia said. “Jack has been playing football since he was about 2 years old. So he knows how to play all positions.”

Paris and senior Henry Fluecke forced Brother Rice quarterback CJ Gray out of the back of the end zone for a safety with 1:47 left that wrapped up the win.

Fenwick’s Noah Sur made a 41-yard field goal in the second quarter to open the scoring. In the last four minutes, he pinned Brother Rice inside its 10 twice with impressive punts.

“He’s been netting over 50 yards per punt and is a huge weapon,” Battaglia said. “We knew points were going to be hard to come by, and having the ability to pin them deep was huge.”

Marshall scored on a one-yard run with eight seconds left in the third quarter to put Fenwick (8-2) ahead 10-7.

“Everyone knew where it was going,” Marshall said. “It’s hard to hide me. [A Brother Rice defender] tried to slap it out, but I knew I had scored.”

Fenwick quarterback Frankie Hosty was 14-for-29 for 173 yards with one interception. It was an up-and-down performance overall for Hosty, but he came through with a handful of big plays that changed the game: a 42-yard completion to Treston Smith, a 39-yard pass to Andrew Bjorson and a 38-yard strike to Emmett Romeus.

“The offensive line was great all day, so I was able to connect on some deep shots,” Hosty said.

Brother Rice (6-4) led 7-3 after a one-yard run from Gray with 4:58 left in the second quarter. But the Crusaders didn’t mount another serious scoring challenge.

“We have some good players up front and some great leaders,” Battaglia said. “They all believed and were on the same page and wanted to win each moment.”

Gray was 6-for-16 for 40 yards with one interception. Senior Tyler Lofton had 20 carries for 87 yards for the Crusaders.

Fenwick will travel to Downers Grove North for a second-round playoff game next weekend.