Marmion blows out Guerin
Scoring touchdowns on its first 6 offensive possessions - with another coming via special teams - Marmion built a comfortable 47-14 halftime lead over Guerin Saturday afternoon.
It took just 11 seconds for the Cadets (4-1) to light up the scoreboard in the second half, as senior Matt Pircon returned the kickoff 89 yards for a touchdown - setting off a running clock.
It all added up to a festive Homecoming celebration as five different players scored TDs during the Cadets' 54-14 Suburban Christian Conference crossover triumph over Guerin (2-3) in Aurora.
"It was a great performance by everybody," said Pircon, who added the Cadets' first touchdown on a 27-yard run during their 21-point opening quarter. "Everyone was hustling. It wasn't just the person carrying the ball - it was the people blocking for him.
"We all trust each other. We'll block until the end for the other person."
Marmion capitalized on excellent field position early, as its defense limited the Gators to minus-10 yards in the first quarter.
After their second consecutive 3-and-out defensive series, the Cadets made it 14-0 when T.J. Lally juked a defender and raced to the end zone for a 23-yard touchdown.
Back-to-back sacks from Mike Gallaway and Alex Karas on Guerin's next possession helped set up the first of two Marmion special teams touchdowns - this one a 50-yard punt return by Nick Scoliere.
"We really worked on our punt returns this week," said Marmion coach Dan Thorpe. "It's nice when we work on something and you reap the benefits come game time. That's what you have to do - to play all three aspects of the game.
"I'm happy with how we came out in the first quarter. We were hitting offensively and defensively. To put up 21 points is to come out and take care of business."
Bobby Winkel added a 25-yard TD run on the Cadets' 10th play from scrimmage, helping extend the margin to 27-0.
Quarterback Dennis Kelly (13-of-27, 236 yards) tossed a pair of touchdown passes - a 69-yarder to Matt Albanese and 24-yarder to Mike Strnad - to help pull Guerin within 26-14 with 9:32 left in the second quarter.
However, 16 seconds later, Mike Carbonara ran untouched for a 59-yard touchdown and Lally added a 30-yard TD run on the Cadet's next possession to make it 41-14. With 1:17 left before halftime, quarterback Bobby Peters fired a 42-yard scoring strike to Scoliere to cap a wild 40-point second-quarter scoring spree.
Marmion finished with 322 yards rushing on just 26 carries - an average of nearly 12.4 yards per carry.
"We've got two tackles (Graham Glasgow and Jake Winkel) who are both over 250 pounds, two senior guards in Connor English and Jeff McLean who are quick and physical and a returning starting center, Mike Gallaway, who anchors that offensive line, along with tight end Brian Freda," Thorpe said of his offensive line.
Pircon, who suffered a separated shoulder in Week 1 and missed 2 games before returning late last week against Marian Central Catholic, capped the day's scoring with his second-half kick return.
"Anyone could have run through that hole," said Pircon.
Marmion plays host to rival Aurora Central Catholic Friday.