Missed opportunities spell loss for Wave

The St. Edward football team had a couple of chances to get the momentum Friday night and cut a 14-point deficit in half.

The Green Wave failed to capitalize on either opportunity and eventually fell to Marian Central, 28-7, in Suburban Catholic Conference play at Greg True Field.

"We made way too many mistakes, all mental mistakes," Green Wave coach Mike Rolando said. "When two good football teams play, the team that makes the least mistakes wins the game."

St. Edward senior Josh Scolly intercepted a Andrew Stochl pass and returned it 40 yards down to the Hurricanes' 6-yard line with 18.4 seconds remaining in the first half. On first down, Jimmy Mathisen carried the ball to the 3. After the play, the Green Wave (3-2, 1-2 SCC) were flagged for a personal foul, sending the ball back to the 18-yard line. St. Edward did not gain another yard and attempted a 34-yard field goal that was blocked on the final play of the half as the Hurricanes' held onto a 14-0 lead.

"Huge play," Rolando said. "We had a lot opportunities. We had a chance to get a confidence boost and go (into halftime) 14-7."

The Green Wave forced Marian Central (3-2, 2-1) to punt on the first possession of the second half. On the first play of their possession, the Green Wave fumbled and the ball was recovered by the Hurricanes' at the St. Edward 23-yard line.

The turnover led to a 9-yard touchdown run by Brandon Smith, his second score of the game, and a 21-0 Marian Central lead with 2:47 left in the third quarter.

St. Edward avoided the shutout on a 4-yard touchdown run from John Heugh, who also had a 32-yard run on the drive, with 6:33 remaining in the game.

"I told coach to give me the ball," Heugh said. "I saw (a defender behind the line of scrimmage) and hit him. The line kept going and followed them in."

Stochl hit Adam Olson for a 19-yard score, the second time the pair connected for a touchdown, with 2:22 left to put the game out of reach.

Heugh led St. Edward with 51 rushing yards on 4 carries. A week after rushing for more than 450 yards against Aurora Central Catholic, the Green Wave managed only 107 against the Hurricanes.

"Their line is bigger (than ACC's)," Rolando said. "It was a good battle for our line."