Chris Streveler carries Marian Central past Robeson

Updated: October 29, 2011 8:35PM

Marian Central has shown resiliency all season. The Hurricanes trailed Oswego by 18 points in the third quarter of their season opener before rallying for a win. That resilience surfaced again during Saturday’s 42-20 win over visiting Robeson in the opening round of the Class 5A playoffs.

Marian Central (10-0) overcame 7-0 and 14-7 deficits in the second quarter to storm back into the game behind the determined legs and strong arm of quarterback Chris Streveler, who completed 14-for-23 passes for 244 yards and a score along with 188 yards rushing and four touchdowns on the ground.

After a hard-fought first half, the Hurricanes came out on fire in the third quarter. Taking advantage of favorable field position after a short Robeson kickoff, Streveler hooked up with Kyle Thompson (three catches, 74 yards) on a 27-yard pass play. On the next play, Streveler ran nine yards into the end zone putting Marian Central up 21-14. With 6:36 remaining in the third quarter, Streveler showed off his scrambling ability when he broke four tackles along the sideline and scampered 66 yards for a touchdown extending the Hurricanes’ lead to 28-14.

Sam Calderaro sealed the win via a 22-yard touchdown run early in the fourth quarter making the score 35-14.

“We got a wake up call in the second quarter,” Streveler said. “We came out with much more intensity in the second half and made the right adjustments.”

The wake up call Streveler was referring to came in the form of explosive Raiders running back Devon Sanders (14 carries, 202 yards), who had two touchdown runs of 80 yards apiece in the second quarter. But Robeson (6-4) had no answer for the tandem of Streveler and wideout Scott Stochal, who hauled in eight catches for147 yards and a touchdown

“Me and Streveler had great timing all game,” Stochal said. “He looked at me and I looked at him, and he just knew where I was going to be all game.”

Marian Central hosts Tinley Park in the next round of the Class 5A playoffs.

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