Marist sophomore Bella Lacy remembers the moment pretty clearly when she saw the flag football team come together in a big way.
The RedHawks were prepping for the playoffs last fall when they decided to unleash a bit of a prank on the coaching staff.
The team decided to toilet paper the houses of coach Ron Dawczak and assistant coach Laura McDonough.
“It was really fun,” Lacy said with a laugh. “We got to spend time together outside practice. It was really funny. He didn’t know it was us. He thought it was random kids from the neighborhood. We started putting toilet paper on him, too.”
That bond has gone a long way for the RedHawks.
Marist finished fourth in the state this year, losing 21-19 to Lyons on Oct. 17 at Willowbrook in the third-place game.
It was the RedHawks’ first state trophy.
Dawczak said the team’s winning formula was pure ability plus overall team unity.
“Potential is a very dangerous word but you mix talent with good chemistry, watch out,” Dawczak said. “The girls want to be around each other and trust each other. With that, special things happen.”
Lacy finished with eight carries for 43 yards and two touchdowns and 10 catches for 57 yards.
Senior Alia Rowles (293 passing yards, TD) and sophomores Rose Hart (nine catches, 62 yards, TD) and Mary Withers (seven catches, 80 yards) also starred.
Sophomore Charlotte Jarosik (13 flag pulls) and seniors Liliana Kolar (six flag pulls), Nora Hansen (interception) and Sophia Flisak (pass breakup) led the defense.
Trailing 21-19 in the fourth, Marist came up just 4 yards short of a goal-line reception from Lacy in the red zone.
After a Lyons punt, the RedHawks had one last chance but a fourth-down pass near midfield was knocked down in double coverage.
Marist had lost a heartbreaker in a regional championship last fall.
For senior Tess Hernon, this season was all about erasing that tough memory.
“Even going from not winning a regional plaque to getting fourth in state, it’s really impressive,” Hernon said. “There are 200-something teams in the state. I couldn’t be more thankful for everyone and everything we all put into this sport.”
Marist (19-5) beat St. Ignatius 26-12 on Oct. 16 in the state quarterfinals and then lost to eventual state champion St. Charles North 27-13 on Oct. 17 in the semifinals.
While the 2027 season is a long way down the road, Lacy couldn’t help but think ahead.
“We’re really excited,” Lacy said. “We’re really underclassmen heavy. We can be great for years to come. Our seniors showed us what we should be like in that spot and be the leaders.”