Scouting the Marmion Cadets

While the Marmion football team did lose some key components from last year's squad, 31st-year head coach Dan Thorpe is not one to throw in the towel.

His 2018 roster gives you a glimpse why.

The Cadets return plenty of talent from a 2017 team that went 6-6, beating No. 2 seed Shepard in the first round of the state playoffs before losing to Springfield Sacred Heart Griffin in the second round and St. Ignatius in the Prep Bowl quarterfinals.

Thorpe returns five starters on offense and six more on defense. The offense quintet features linemen John Roche (6-0, 215), Blake Kramer (6-1, 260) and Marshall Foerner (6-6, 260), along with tight end Miles Childers (6-3, 190) and running back Peter Ferraro (6-1, 175). Thorpe said Foerner is drawing "great interest" from Division I schools on the heels of a strong summer, while Roche also should play at the collegiate level. Ferraro has plans to wrestle at a Division I school with Harvard being his top choice.

Senior Declan McDonald takes over at quarterback with conference offensive back of the year Brandon McPherson having graduated.

"We have a good quarterback in Declan," said Thorpe. "He can throw all passes needed and he really understands the offense. He has thrown the ball great all summer and has developed an excellent relationship with Miles Childers."

Ferraro was an all-conference performer a year ago after averaging 5.0 yards per carry, 19.7 yards per catch and scored 8 total touchdowns.

Speaking of Childers, "Miles has great hands and can play both split end and tight end," said Thorpe. "He's a great blocker as well."

Senior Luke Reifsynder will help at fullback and is labeled by Thorpe as a "physical runner with old-school toughness." Roche is a three-year offensive starter and Kramer has added 40 pounds in the weight room, "He too will play college football," the coach said.

Junior running back Major Haas and junior guard Dan Seraphin (6-2, 215) also will help.

Starters back on defense for Marmion include linemen Patrick Daum and Kramer, along with linebackers Roche (returning all-conference), Reifsynder (6-0, 195) and defensive backs Childers and Ferraro. Roche is a three-year starter and returns at middle linebacker. "John is a great player with a motor and is very physical," said Thorpe. "He will play college football as his desire, strength and instinct are so good." Daum (5-9, 160) is a returning all-conference defensive end. "Patrick plays every play like it is his last," said Thorpe.

Childers at strong safety and Reifsynder at free safety give Marmion a leg up in the secondary.

Marmion did suffer a key blow when Division I long-snapping prospect Charlie Gambs (5-11, 200) tore his ACL at a long-snapping camp in June and is lost for the season.

One other key concern for Thorpe is numbers. Marmion has 32 players on the varsity.

"Depth and injury will be key," he said. "We will slow the game down because we have too many players going both ways. Efficiency will be key on offense. We can't go three-and-out. We have many kids going both ways. We need the juniors to step up at varsity football. The good thing is every player is very dedicated and is working hard in practice. We have some great competition going on and I really like the attitude, work ethic and confidence these kids have. As always, we will and must play with great heart."

With 32 players on the team, Thorpe said a lot of emphasis will be on the coaching staff and employing best practices throughout the season. "Coaching this year will also center on being smart in practice with contact and rotations and playing kids on game day with intelligent substitutions," he said. "I love the challenge with less numbers and the coaches and kids have had a great relationship working together all summer. I really think we will be fine if we have no major injuries."

Marmion finds Mt. Carmel and Brother Rice on its schedule this year. "We will be really challenged with our new schedule," Thorpe said.

Thorpe said Fenwick, Mt. Carmel, De La Salle and St. Laurence all will be tough inside the Chicago Catholic Green. Marmion once again will face Montini in a crossover game. Marmion downed Montini last year.

"We will have to find five wins to make the state playoffs, but with smart kids who play hard and will be physical, I believe we can do it," he said.