Christian Marantis loves to throw the fade and man can he do it.   He literally has thrown a thousand in our session over the last couple of years so he was well prepared for his job at a crucial time in the game to deliver what his Coach Jeff Bayuk called, “A professional throw and a professional catch by his receiver, Cam Hollobaughâ€.  All this came about in the game when JFK was up 14 to 6 with just a second left in the first half, and the ball on the 1 yard line and 4th down. A Penalty for illegal procedure moved the ball back 5 yards and at that point you would think Coach Bayuk would kick a field goal. However, with all the rain, he felt conditions were iffy for kicking and by the way he had Christian Martantis as his QB, and Christian had already won a game last year for him in a similar situation.
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Coach Bayuk left his offense out on the field and Christian dropped back to his right and set his feet and delivered a perfect strike over the back left pylon in the end zone, perfectly placed for Sophomore Hollobaugh to catch it with both feet in bounds. Halftime score JFK 21 to 6 over Wyndham HS (9-2)in the Division VII Region 25 playoff game. The very next play was a kickoff return by the Eagles and the route was on.   JFK winning 35 to 12.   Christian also hooked up with Hollobaugh for a 43 yard TD pass for another of the scores in the game. JFK (6-5) now heads to Ashland Mapleton (8-3) for next Saturday’s game and it would not surprise me at all if my Junior QB has some more magic ready under the direction of Coach Bayuk.
I would like to say a word about a coach that is the definition of what a HS coach should be.   Coach Bayuk has been a mentor and motivator of young men for a long time and has that ability to lead his team, even after 5 losses (all to schools much larger than his) and a bunch of injuries, into the state playoffs and win.  I am very proud of the players I coach at JFK and especially my 2020 QB Christian Marantis who has bounced back this year after the losses and has made big play after big play. I will tell you perfect practice makes perfect, right Christian?   Congratulations to a great young player, playing for a great seasoned Coach.  Christian Marantis and Coach Jeff Bayuk, John F. Kennedy HS, Warren Ohio.