Marmion blanks ACC
On a raw, rainy night where a clean quarterback-center exchange could be classified as a relatively positive play, T.J. Lally was an exception to the rule.
Lally proved to be an excellent "mudder," rushing for a game-high 111 yards and a pair of touchdowns on just 7 carries while leading host Marmion (5-1, 3-0) to a 21-0 Suburban Christian Conference Blue victory over cross-town rival Aurora Central Catholic (1-5, 0-2) Friday night.
"My line was just great," said Lally. "On my second touchdown, I didn't get touched by anyone.
"For how tough the conditions were, our line struggled but when it mattered most they really pushed through."
The 6-foot, 205-pound junior also played a pivotal role on the defensive side of the ball, recording a team-high 12 tackles from his linebacker spot as the Cadets limited the Chargers to just 129 yards of total offense.
"We do some schemes with (defensive tackles) Alex Karas and Mike Gallaway," said Marmion coach Dan Thorpe. "They do some things up front, sacrificing themselves for the concept of the team so that T.J. (Lally) is free. It's a team defense."
After the Chargers forced a 3-and-out on the first series, a special teams' gaffe gave the Cadets another chance as Jeff McLean recovered a fumbled punt return at the ACC 37-yard line.
Five plays later, Matt Pircon plunged into the end zone from 1 yard out to put Marmion on top 7-0 midway through the opening quarter.
"That punt play was so vital - to get up early on a day like today because it could've been the only score," said Thorpe.
"That's been the story of our season," said Chargers coach Mike Curry. "We turn the ball over or we've had crucial penalties at terrible times that allow the opposition to continue drives.
"It's tough for us to overcome those things when we don't have the firepower to break one."
Late in the first half, a 19-yard punt put the Cadets in business at the Chargers' 45. One play after a defensive pass interference call on 3rd-and-10 kept the drive alive, Lally raced around the right side for a 30-yard TD, extending the halftime margin to 14-0.
After a sack by Gallaway on a 4th-and-5 play from the Marmion 32 ended the Chargers' first scoring threat midway through the third quarter, Lally provided some insurance with his 52-yard TD run that capped the scoring.
Late interceptions from Mike Carbonara and Adam Andras sealed the Cadets' first shutout of the season.
"I said at the beginning of the season that we've got the best defensive line in the area and I still think that," said Lally. "Playing smash-mouth football is what we love."
While winning the turnover battle (3-1), the Cadets also enjoyed an edge in field position, thanks primarily to the punting of senior Bobby Winkel (43.4-yard average).
"Bobby's been punting great all year," said Thorpe, "and our kick coverage was good tonight. It was a nice team victory."