Marmion ready for an encore
Facing a schedule that offers eight playoff opponents, each spying a target on Marmion's broad back, the Cadets will be challenged to match a dynamite 2010 season which produced the program's first state championship appearance.
Lack of effort won't be an issue.
"Work ethic and the commitment that the kids have," coach Dan Thorpe said, are this squad's greatest attributes. "They're really working hard. We just hope we're athletic enough to combine the two."
The greatest challenge, he said, will be not to panic if they struggle against "the three most difficult opponents we've opened up with ever in my seven years here," Thorpe said Batavia, Fenwick, Montini.
Of course, neither coaches nor players are counting on struggling. They shouldn't.
Despite graduating a literal ton of talent including Michigan walk-on Graham Glasgow, Nick Scoliere, Nate Pacer, Mike Carbonara, Mitch Loehmann, Bobby Peters and all-stater T.J. Lally, Marmion returns a wealth of experience on defense. That really helps.
Linemen Tyler Boyd, Mickey "Moose" Eberth and Ryan Glasgow the nimble-footed 270-pounder who despite Mid-American Conference offers is motivated to prove his worth to the Big Ten all return to the defensive line. So do linebacker Mike Shares, the returning tackles leader with 70 in 2010, and defensive backs Kyle Kozak and Rob Voirin.
These guys will turn right around to play on offense, joining returnees Blake Mickey and running back Garret Becker, who ran for 581 yards and 6 touchdowns last season.
"They're big, they're athletic, they're strong, they're quick," Thorpe said of his offensive and defensive lines. "They're a very formidable front."
Marmion took its biggest graduation hit at the skill positions, in size, stats and experience. Becker carries 195 pounds and Kozak, shifting to a Wing-T back from receiver, goes 185. Otherwise these Cadets are less in the mode of 200-pounders Lally, Scoliere and Carbonara. But Thorpe said a strength is assistant coach Andy Windisch developing a "by committee" approach to the position which should provide depth.
Thorpe sounded like he was figuring on playing two quarterbacks at least entering the season, senior Dan DiBartolo and junior Charlie Faunce.
"I have no problems playing two quarterbacks," the coach said.
One reason is that Marmion offers a weapon who can secure field position. Returning kicker A.J. Friedman, an Ivy League and MAC recruit adept both at booming the football or directional pooches, averaged 35.5 yards per punt, connected on 48 of 52 extra-points and was 8 of 12 on field goals with a long of 47 yards.
He was among many reasons Marmion reached last year's Class 6A title game, and why Thorpe looks forward to seeing whatever foes throw at them now.
"We welcome that opportunity," he said. "We've earned that target and now it's up to this varsity team, seniors and juniors, to embrace the challenge."
Marmion breakdown
Coach: Dan Thorpe (seventh year, 38-24).
2009 record: 12-2, 5-1, second place in conference.
Postseason: Two straight playoff appearances, second in Class 6A in 2010.
Last five years (starting in 2006): 5-4, 5-5, 3-6, 9-2, 12-2
Total: 34-19
2011 Enrollment: 1640
Schedule
Date Opponent Time
8/26 at Batavia 7:30
9/2 Fenwick 7:30
9/9 at Montini 7:30*
9/16 St. Edward 7:30*
9/23 Imm. Conception 7:30
10/1 Wheaton Acad. 1:00*
10/7 at St. Francis 7:30*
10/15 at Guerin 1:30
10/21 Marian 7:30*
* denotes conference opponent
Probable starters
Offense (Wing-T)
Pos. Name Ht/Wt Yr.
QB Dan DiBartolo 6-0/180 Sr.
or Charlie Faunce 6-0/185 Jr.
FB Cody Snodgrass 5-10/195 Jr.
HB Garret Becker 5-11/195 Sr.*
HB Kyle Kozak 6-1/185 Sr.
WR Rob Voirin 5-10/160 Sr.
TE Mike Shares 6-0/195 Sr.
LT Tyler Boyd 6-0/265 Sr.
LG Graham Glasgow 6-4/270 Sr.*
C Mike Eberth 6-1/240 Sr.
RG Matt Smith 6-2/205 Jr.
RT Blake Mickey 6-2/240 Sr.
K A.J. Friedman 5-10/165 Sr.*
Defense (5-2)
Pos. Name Ht/Wt Yr.
DE Charlie Clohecy 6-1/205 Jr.
DT Mike Eberth 6-1/240 Sr.*
DT Tyler Boyd 6-0/265 Sr.*
DT Graham Glasgow 6-4/270 Sr.*
DE Blake Mickey 6-2/240 Sr.
LB Mike Shares 6-0/195 Sr*
LB Garret Becker 5-11/195 Sr.
S Rob Voirin 5-10/160 Sr.*
S Kyle Kozak 6-1/185 Sr.*
CB A.J. Friedman 5-10/165 Sr.
CB Mike Mueller 5-10/170 Sr.
P A.J. Friedman 5-10/165 Sr.*
* denotes returning starter