This Fremd group only wanted the ride to last

John Josif was in no hurry to leave Hale Hildebrandt Field on Saturday night.

Just about everyone from Fremd and Marist - along with the standing-room only crowd which watched their Class 8A state football quarterfinal - had left.

But the Fremd senior defensive lineman sat on one of the benches near the south end zone trying to digest what had just happened.

"I love playing football," said Josif, one of Fremd's defensive leaders all season. "I've played since the fourth grade and it's something so special to me. I love the football field."

For 11 games this fall, it was a field filled with dreams of Champaign for the Vikings.

But on this night, Josif would be leaving the field for the final time while wearing his Fremd No. 53 jersey. Marist and Western Michigan-bound quarterback Mike Perish had administered an unhappy 28-16 ending.

Unhappiness at more than just losing a game, but also what made this group as successful as any in Fremd history.

"There was just something special about this team," Josif said. "I loved each and every one of these players. Words can't explain the bond we had.

"It started at Thanksgiving last year and carried over to now. The juniors were able to step up and follow the seniors, and the seniors were really leaders.

"There were no (class) divisions and no gaps."

That's why there were juniors who appeared to find this just as difficult to take as the seniors whose high school careers had just ended.

"It's a big family," said junior quarterback Rich Concialdi, who valiantly tried to rally the Vikings by throwing for a career-best 233 yards and a touchdown. "All these guys, I love them like brothers. From Day One when we started playing with each other, the chemistry was right there."

Then Perish came in and blew it up with precision 74 percent passing for 286 yards and 3 touchdowns. At halftime he had misfired on only 2 of his 20 passes.

Perish unleashed his onslaught so quickly Fremd never had a chance to get near him. And he was clearly in good hands with his crew of receivers.

"We whipped out everything we had against them," Fremd senior safety Cameron Radis said of their defensive schemes.

"It was crazy," Josif said. "All game I felt we were able to get a pass rush and get to his face, but he's a great quarterback and he gets the ball off so quick.

"I felt I could go man-up with any of their offensive linemen. Our stunts were working but his release was so fast it was ridiculous."

The Redhawks were also making it difficult for Evan Wright to find running room as he finished his incredible senior season with a school record 2,234 yards.

But the Vikings never lost hope since they had rallied from a 14-point deficit in the first round against Naperville North. Concialdi provided some when he found Wright for 24 yards to make it 21-10 and led another march inside Marist's 30.

Then Dave Pirkle's leaping interception, a fumbled punt and another Perish touchdown pass put Fremd in a race against a clock without enough time.

"We fought to the end," said Fremd coach Mike Donatucci. "Take one of those mistakes out and it gets pretty exciting at the end."

There are some years coaches can't wait to end because of various agendas and issues. This was definitely not one of them.

"They came to work every day and did everything (on and off the field) we asked," Donatucci said.

"The thing I love about this team is we never thought we were out of any game at any time this season," Josif said. "Everyone believes on this team and everyone loves each other."

Which showed more than an hour after it was all over. A group of players was returning to their now-darkened home field.

To play the game they loved with teammates they loved one more time.

mmaciaszek@dailyherald.com