Taking the field with under two minutes remaining and needing a score, Marist senior quarterback Alia Rowles was calm, cool and collected.
All the RedHawks were.
The offense hadn’t clicked in a defensive-minded showdown with St. Ignatius, but Rowles and the RedHawks were up to the challenge.
Rowles led the team on a 60-yard drive and connected with junior Mia Bernard for the game-tying 21-yard touchdown and sophomore Mary Withers for the game-winning point-after in Marist’s 20-19 victory Sept. 9 over St. Ignatius.
“It’s just knowing we’re never out of it,” Rowles said. “That’s not the first close game we’ve had this year. We all believe in each other, and everyone does their job. That’s our main focus. I know my wide receivers are always there to pick me up. We’re never out of a game.”
Rowles threw for three touchdowns, two to Bernard and one to sophomore Rose Hart.
Sophomore Charlotte Jarosik had an interception on defense for Marist.
Rowles is a standout infielder for the Marist softball team and a Western Michigan recruit.
She went out for flag football as a sophomore and started at QB for the junior-varsity team but was then called up to start on the varsity by midseason.
Girls flag football is in its third season as an IHSA-sanctioned sport.
“It’s been so much fun,” Rowles said. “I’ve always been a big football junkie. I never knew this would be an opportunity, but this experience has been a dream come true. It’s been amazing.”
As for that softball background, it’s sure come in handy.
“A few times when a rusher is in my face I’ve got to make a sidearm throw,” Rowles said. “Those deep throws on the infield, that definitely translates to flag. I’m able to make that deep throw like I’m on the run at short and third. It definitely makes life easier as a flag football QB. I never had to learn it.”
On the late TD, Bernard and the Marist receiving corps stayed alive while an under-pressure Rowles scrambled away from the St. Ignatius defense.
“It’s always run your route and then play as the ball moves,” Bernard said. “If Alia rolls left, you go with her. Stay alive, so follow the ball because that’s what playmakers do.”
Jarosik’s interception late in the third quarter helped turn the tide with St. Ignatius marching deep into Marist territory.
Marist did a good job slowing Ignatius star junior Josie Borkowski.
“Where I was standing, it came right to me,” Jarosik said with a laugh. “To work on tackling, we do a lot of flag drills where people swivel so we can only practice just grabbing the flag and nothing else.”