Marist's Dan Piko catches a TD pass as Schaumburg's Andruw Richardson defends. (David Banks, Chicago Tribune / October 31, 2009)

From November 1, 2009 Chicago Tribune article by Jim McAteer


Marist receiver Dan Piko was covered in mud after Friday's game, while quarterback Mike Perish's jersey was almost spotless.

Besides the different wardrobe looks, the two were on the same page for career nights in leading Marist to a 41-14 win over Schaumburg in the first round of the Class 8A playoffs. Marist will host Naperville Central next weekend in a battle of the Redhawks.

"That's always a good sign when your quarterback looks like this after the game," Piko said. "If he's dirty, it's a bad night."

The Western Michigan-bound quarterback wasn't sacked and rarely was pressured.

"My offensive line gave me so much time," Perish said. "We started slow, but then we were able to turn things around."

The Redhawks (8-2) fell behind 7-0 in the first quarter before scoring 41 straight points.

Perish hit Piko for three touchdowns (20, 87, 19) and finished 19-for-29 with a career-high 355 yards, four touchdowns and an interception. Piko ended the night with 10 catches for a career-high 236 yards and three touchdowns.

"We've spent so much time working on routes at practice, plus all that time in the spring and summer," Perish said. "We seem to have a good feel for each other and know what the other is thinking."

"The throws were perfect all night," Piko said. "It was great running these routes in the mud and looking up and finding the ball right on the money."

Schaumburg (6-4) hadn't played on grass this season until Saturday night. All nine regular season games were played on turf. Saxons quarterback Mark Iannotti ran for a score (16) in the first quarter and threw for a touchdown (4) in the fourth quarter.