In early February, Stephen Brown led Marist’s boys basketball team with 20 points in a dramatic victory over Benet in front of a packed house in Chicago.
One of the people sitting in the stands was Jacob Ritter, who had just transferred to Marist from Lincoln-Way East. And he was impressed.
“It was a super-packed game on a Friday night, and I remember Steve just making a couple of big plays in that game and eventually one of his teammates (Darshan Thomas) hit a game winner,” Ritter said. “It was a cool moment.”
Ritter, a quarterback, confirmed he told people during that game he was looking forward to having the 6-foot-7, 200-pound Brown as his receiver, And now, they’re making cool moments together.
The Ritter-to-Brown tandem went wild Friday night, with Brown catching nine passes for 115 yards in a 31-30 CCL/ESCC Orange loss to host Joliet Catholic in double overtime at Memorial Stadium.
Brown, a junior who already has a basketball offer from Illinois, entered the game with nine catches for 123 yards and a pair of touchdowns for the RedHawks (3-1, 0-1). He had seven catches for 101 yards and a TD in the first half against the Hilltoppers (3-1, 1-0).
Marist, which faced a 7-7 halftime deadlock, decided to run the ball in second half, building a 17-7 lead in the fourth quarter. The RedHawks only threw two passes during that span.
But about that first half …
“It was amazing,” Brown said. “I’m glad my quarterback trusted in me and I was able to make those plays.”
Marist’s Stephen Brown makes a catch while taking a hit from Brother Rice’s Jake Dugger during a CCL/ESCC crossover game in Chicago on Friday, Sept. 1, 2023. (Troy Stolt / Daily Southtown)
After a couple of screen passes allowed Brown to pile up some yards after the catch, the third time found pay dirt — 30-yard TD on a deep ball that Ritter connected with Brown in stride.
“I saw the seam was open,” Brown said. “I knew I could get by him, so my quarterback threw the ball up and I made the play for him.”
Ritter appreciates Brown’s size and skills.
“I always know if the defense is paying man, I like the matchup no matter what corner is on him,” Ritter said. “He’s tall and his speed matches up with any corner.
“But when teams play zone, you try to give him the ball in space and let him go to work.”
As a sophomore on the varsity last season, Brown ended up with 17 catches for 308 yards. One of those grab was legendary as he snagged a 33-yard TD pass with 38 seconds left for what turned out to be the winning score in a 30-24 victory over archrival Brother Rice.
His approach this year is the same approach as last year.
“I want to make the play and try to score,’’ Brown said. “I want to show my teammates that I’m always ready.”
Marist’s Stephen Brown (5) takes a shot as Marian Catholic’s Zack Sharkey (22) defends in an East Suburban Catholic Conference game in Chicago Heights on Friday, Jan. 26, 2024. (Vincent D. Johnson / Daily Southtown)
Some rating services have Brown near or at the top of being the state’s best junior in basketball. Usually, players who are that elite tend not to play a physical sport such as football.
People have tried to convince Brown to opt out but he was having none of that talk.
“I hear it all the time, but I tell people that I love football,” he said. “I love everything about it.
“I love the fact that I can go out and play with my boys. It’s amazing.”
Marist coach Mike Fitzgerald, who took over the football program this fall, is glad Brown stayed.
“You don’t get many receivers with that size,” Fitzgerald said. “He has great ball skills and great range. He’s a nice weapon for a quarterback to have.
“He loves football, too, and what’s great about it is he’s passionate about both sports. He’s a competitor and always looking to get better.”
Jeff Vorva is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
