It was fourth down. Deep in its own territory. Late in the game. Facing a crucial short-yardage situation, Providence dialed up the number of junior running back Broden Mackert.

And Mackert? He might not have shown it afterward, but he was pretty excited.

“I mean, it was just the one yard,” he said. “But I ran behind my guys, saw the hole, and I just took off. We came out slow in the second half and the game is never over until the final buzzer.

“I knew I had to take over.”

Mackert, indeed, took over — and also took off. He broke free for a 69-yard touchdown run on fourth down to help the host Celtics secure a 28-14 victory over Marist in New Lenox.

On top of that, Mackert also scored the opening TD with a 1-yard dive for Providence (4-2), which produced three TDs in the second quarter. And that was only the beginning for the Celtics.

Providence’s Broden Mackert (24) heads to the outside against Marist during a CCL/ESCC Orange game in New Lenox on Friday, Oct. 3, 2025. (Troy Stolt / Daily Southtown)

Senior running back Brayden McKay ripped off a 60-yard TD run and sophomore quarterback Dominic Vita connected with sophomore receiver DeAngelo Coates on a 25-yard TD.

For Marist (1-5), junior athlete Tommy Hosty scored two short TD runs out of the Wildcat formation in the third quarter. Hosty, a starting safety, also had a fumble recovery in the end zone.

A rally by the RedHawks, though, then set the stage for the dramatic play call on fourth down that was originally designed to draw Marist offsides, according to Vita.

“We went to the hard count twice and they didn’t jump,” he said. “We ran out of a straight zone blocking, and Broden is great for that situation.

Providence’s Broden Mackert (24) runs the ball inside against Marist during a CCL/ESCC Orange game in New Lenox on Friday, Oct. 3, 2025. (Troy Stolt / Daily Southtown)

“He’s always running hard, running fast, always playing as hard as he can.”

The two rushing TDs by the 6-foot-1, 205-pound Mackert pushed his team-best total to 10. He blends size and burst in creating a physical, punishing running style.

“He’s just an outstanding running back,” Providence coach Tyler Plantz said. “I mean, everybody in the stadium knew what we were going to do.

“For him to be able to cut through one tackler and be able to bring it all the way to the house is pretty special.”

Providence’s DeAngelo Coates (16) pulls in a TD pass against Marist during a CCL/ESCC Orange game in New Lenox on Friday, Oct. 3, 2025. (Troy Stolt / Daily Southtown)

That moment proved particularly gratifying, given Mackert missed the second half of the season last year after suffering a serious shoulder injury.

“Watching the guys practice with me on the side and not being able to participate was hard,” he said. “Now, being able to come back, build off that motivation and be even bigger, stronger and better has been special.”

A 21-yard burst around the right edge set up his first TD. It showed how versatile his game is. He could run between the tackles or get outside, and he rarely goes down after the initial contact.

“With my huge tackles, I always feel safety around these guys,” Mackert said. “I just find the hole, and take the high step. I’m a balanced running back with power, speed, and I just keep going.”

Mackert’s older brother, Easton, was a standout at Minooka. The brothers are just two years apart, and their shared passion for football was an animating force for him growing up.

Providence’s Broden Mackert (24) finds an opening against Marist during a CCL/ESCC Orange game in New Lenox on Friday, Oct. 3, 2025. (Troy Stolt / Daily Southtown)

“I love and live the game,” he said. “When I’m not playing, I’m watching film and preparing. I played baseball when I was younger, but I gave it up to focus just on football.

“My brother showed me the ball. Since then, I never stopped.”

When Mackert does have some downtime, he likes to draw or go bowling.

“There’s nothing he can’t do,” Plantz said. “He’s got ball skills, a physical running style and the ability to pass protect. You see what he does with the ball in his hands.

“He’s patient, sets up blocks, slices through a defense. I’ve never once seen him decelerate.”

Patrick Z. McGavin is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/10/04/broden-mackert-providence-marist-ihsa-football/