Marist holds Benet in check

Marist's defense gave Benet a little light, then took it away Friday night at Benedictine University in Lisle.

The RedHawks defeated the host Redwings 24-7 in an East Suburban Catholic Conference football game.

Benet looked like it had the RedHawks figured out when it marched 65 yards on 10 plays on its second possession of the game. Quarterback Conor Gillespie's 12-yard touchdown pass to Luke Flaska tied the game 7-7 in the first quarter.

But the Redwings didn't score again.

"They're a tough one, I know," Benet coach Pat New said of the Marist defense. "Their defense held the (Nazareth) offense to 7 points and they're a great talent, really well coached. They do a lot of things scheme-wise that are difficult. But we shot ourselves in the foot too, and that's something we have to correct come playoff time."

The Redwings (6-3, 4-3) probably will open the playoffs on the road, but they are in. So is Marist (8-1, 7-0).

Benet's defense did well to hold Marist to 24 points. The RedHawks averaged 42 points a game their last five games.

Marist regained the lead on the possession after Flaska's TD, with Ayden Domico kicking a 35-yard field goal for a 10-7 lead.

When Nile Hill picked off the first of his two interceptions with 2:28 left in the second quarter, Marist had the ball on the Benet 30-yard line. Mike Markett's 4-yard touchdown pass to Jadon Thompson gave Marist a 17-7 halftime lead.

Jovan Marsh added a 4-yard TD run with 8:37 to play in the fourth quarter to put the game away.

Markett threw for 140 yards and 2 touchdowns. He also ran 20 times for 89 yards.

"He's one of those guys that's a dual-threat guy. He's an excellent passer, but he's a really great runner as well," New said.