Senior running back Conor Hunt led Marist High School to a 49-28 victory over Neuqua Valley in a Class 8A opening-round playoff game held Friday night in Chicago. Hunt scored three touchdowns on the ground, finishing with 142 yards on 21 carries, as the RedHawks advanced to face Mount Carmel in the next round.

Marist’s offense was powered by junior quarterback Jake Fleming, who completed 12 of 18 passes for 369 yards and three touchdowns. Fleming opened the game with nine completions in his first 10 attempts for 255 yards, connecting on scoring passes with junior wide receivers JJ Nash and Billy Nitsche. Fleming’s older brother, sophomore receiver Conor Fleming, contributed four catches for 114 yards, including a nine-yard touchdown reception.

Hunt’s rushing touchdowns came on runs of 1, 3, and 18 yards, consistently demonstrating toughness and resilience near the goal line. Late in the fourth quarter, Hunt also caught a 52-yard screen pass that set up a three-yard touchdown run by senior running back Tommy Hosty, which sealed the victory for Marist.

The success of Marist’s offense was attributed to its balanced attack and effective blocking. Fleming credited the offensive line for creating opportunities, while Conor Fleming noted that defenses were forced to stretch their coverage to contain the passing game, opening running lanes for Hunt. “When he’s in the open field, he makes everybody miss,” Conor Fleming said of Hunt.

Hunt, a 5-foot-10, 180-pound player known for combining size and elusiveness with physicality, emerged as Marist’s primary running back after an injury to the starter. He has developed into a key component of the team’s offense, showcasing his ability to both run aggressively and contribute in the passing game. Hunt also has experience playing quarterback, having started three games at the position during his junior year.

The senior expressed a clear preference for the running back role, emphasizing the fun and challenge of carrying the ball and scoring touchdowns. “Whenever you’re in the red zone, it’s a failure if you don’t get into the end zone,” Hunt said, reflecting on his approach to playing with intensity and determination.

Off the field, Hunt is described as a quiet and thoughtful individual who values family and fitness. He credits his father, Brian Hunt, a former standout linebacker at Brother Rice and college player at St. Ambrose, for teaching him the fundamentals of football. As Marist moves forward in the playoffs, Hunt’s leadership and competitive spirit remain central to the team’s hopes for continued success.