Once-and-future position
Marist quarterback influenced by former Wildcat Zak Kustok
Most fifth-graders begin their football career by bouncing around from position to position before landing at a specific one later.
Marist senior Mike Perish didn't follow the norm. He began as a quarterback then and is still a quarterback now. Next year, he'll be the same at Western Michigan.
Growing up, Perish was set on becoming a quarterback due to the influence of former Northwestern and NFL QB Zak Kustok, a family friend. Perish's father had coached Kustok in AAU basketball, and the families had grown close. Whenever they saw each other, Kustok would pass on whatever he could about becoming a quarterback to Perish.
"He just taught me how to throw and stuff like that when I was really young," Perish said. "Now he helps me with the mental part of the game."
Perish still discusses quarterbacking with Kustok, but he needs less of his knowledge today than he once did. Perish has developed into one of the area's best at the position, just as Kustok once was at Sandburg.
A pocket passer, Perish started for Marist as a junior and helped the RedHawks to a quarterfinal playoff appearance. This season, Perish has completed 160 of 234 passes for 2,440 yards and 29 touchdowns and now has Marist looking to make another quarterfinal trip as it meets Naperville Central on Friday.
In the opening round last week, Perish threw for 346 yards and four touchdowns in a 41-14 win over Schaumburg.
"I think he's improved tremendously," Marist coach Pat Dunne said. "Last year, he did a great, great job. This year, he's done a tremendous job of placing the ball where it needs to be. Every day, I'm impressed with his effort and what he does."
Aside from adding some muscle and speed in the offseason, another one of the major reasons for Perish's advancement this year was a continued dedication to studying film.
Some players may find it a hassle, but Perish enjoys it and knows it's a necessity.
"I like studying film," Perish said. "I'd rather watch a football game than watch TV."
It's those sorts of traits that have Western Michigan excited about Perish. A source close to the Broncos thought Perish had the potential to be another MAC quarterback star. Dunne agreed.
"You see the history of quarterbacks coming out of the MAC," Dunne said. "I think he's going to be a tremendous, outstanding quarterback. With all those intangibles, he's a guy who is the overall package. He can throw. We have a quick passing game, but he can also throw the long ball really well. He completes all his throws. I think that's something Western Michigan liked about him."
On Friday, Perish will meet another one of the area's top quarterbacks in Naperville Central's Nick Linne. Perish is especially looking forward to that challenge.
"I like playing against other good quarterbacks," Perish said. "For some reason, I don't get that much respect. It's nice to show people what I can do. It's maybe because Marist isn't a known program. We want to prove ourselves. Respect is something we're looking for."
Scott Powers covers high school and college sports for ESPNChicago.com and can be reached at preps@espnchicago.com.
