Marmion prepared for Prairie Ridge's ground assault
At halftime of Marmion's playoff opener against Huntley, the Cadets had 270 yards to their opponent's 84 and led 28-0.
"I hope that wasn't our best game," coach Dan Thorpe said this week of No. 2 seed Marmion's first playoff victory since 1998, 42-20 over a No. 15 seed.
Regardless of the initial 24-minute blowout, the second half wasn't the Cadets' best, defensively against the run if nothing else. That'll keep this powerful and diverse collection of Marmion athletes hungry this week against No. 10 Prairie Ridge (7-3), a 20-12 winner over King.
Thorpe certainly won't let them slack off.
"I think our kids will be prepared," he said. "I think our kids put time into preparation of what we give them and that's why we're successful right now. They watch film on their own and they find time to do their studies. Good things happen."
Marmion (9-1) definitely was happening against Huntley, scoring on its first four possessions and five of its first six. The Cadets didn't land a running back over 100 yards but behind excellent line work had great balance with five players - Nick Scoliere, Matt Pircon, Adam Andras, Bobby Winkel and T.J. Lally (who got his bell rung but returns Friday) - running for at least 66 yards. By the time they were done Marmion had stockpiled 370 yards rushing and 8.6 yards per carry.
The passing game showed Prairie Ridge coach Chris Schremp just enough. Cadets quarterback Bobby Peters teamed up with Pircon for their second touchdown pass in as many weeks, a defense-extending fly pattern for a 61-yard score.
Prairie Ridge, in its 13th season as a varsity program, comes out of the Fox division of the Fox Valley Conference, the smaller group opposite the Valley league where Cary-Grove and Crystal Lake South play. The Wolves beat conference playoff representative Woodstock 41-14 to kick off their fifth consecutive playoff run and ninth overall. In 2007 they beat Marmion 41-16 in the first round, starting the second of Prairie Ridge's two 6A quarterfinal seasons.
"We're familiar with their environment," Thorpe said.
Key athletes on Prairie Ridge's offense - Thorpe described its no-huddle approach as "Navy option football" - include quarterback Jon Williams, tailback Justin Henderson and fullback Tim Deering. Led by the squad's sole two-way player, lineman Greg Drain (6-5, 250), the Wolves ran for a reported 296 yards against King, both Deering and Henderson clearing 100 yards.
"We have to get their offense off the field," Thorpe said. "They will be very content just to pound the ball, to keep the clock going. That's how they've been successful. The games they've won they've been able to control the ball and control the clock."