Scouting Marmion at Guerin

Marmion (4-0) at Guerin (2-2)

Game time: 1:30 p.m. Saturday.

Last year: Marmion 54, Guerin 14.

Last week: Marmion 24, Marian Central 7; Immaculate Conception 41, Guerin 34.

Outlook: No disrespect meant to Guerin, but after Marmion required comebacks to win close games over Batavia and Mundelein and then survived St. Francis and Marian in the Suburban Christian Blue, the Cadets should be able to relax a little in this SCC crossover in River Grove. Of course, Marmion coach Dan Thorpe would never admit as much, especially considering his former defensive coordinator and former Cadets head coach Tony Tinerella is now Guerin's defensive coordinator. "I'm concerned about our defense, because they just do so much on offense," Thorpe said of the Gators, who are led by quarterback Tommy Kelly, tailback Justin Williams and wide receiver John Dade. Some of that offense explodes out of head coach Tony Pecoraro's bag of trick plays, which helped the Gators rack up 422 yards of passing last week against Immaculate Conception. Two-way lineman Luke Kreiman is a physical presence, but he is Guerin's heaviest lineman and his 245 pounds would tie for fifth with the brutes on Marmion's line. Led by Tyler Heinen, Mike Zolfo, Jake Winkel and Ryan and Graham Glasgow, the Cadets last week played power football against physical Marian Central. It resulted in 360 yards rushing, with 142 yards and 2 touchdowns by T.J. Lally. Thorpe is probably tired of turnovers which again caused a slow start, and he may use this game to improve last week's 0-for-6 passing effort. Marmion is now ranked seventh in Class 6A by The Associated Press. "We just want to go 1-0 this week," Thorpe said.

Next week: Marmion at Aurora Christian (3-1, 1-1), Oct. 1; Guerin at St. Edward (4-0, 2-0), Oct. 1.