Scouting Chicago Christian at Marmion

Chicago Christian (2-5) at Marmion (7-0)

Game time: 7:30 p.m. today

Last year: Marmion 23, Chicago Christian 20.

Last week: Chicago Christian 24, Guerin 20; Marmion 49, Walther Lutheran 6.

Outlook: At first blush Marmion simply seems too strong for Chicago Christian, which lost five straight games before beating Guerin. Despite the loss of defensive tackle Mike Eberth to an elbow injury (he hopes to return for the playoffs), the Cadets probably are too strong for the Knights in this Suburban Christian Conference crossover. Yet Marmion coach Dan Thorpe recalls Chicago Christian's option offense which gained 236 yards on the ground and another 140 passing on the arm of returning quarterback Jason Vander Laan. Marmion's T.J. Lally salvaged that game on a last-minute touchdown run (he added 13 solo tackles with 7 assists), but quarterback Brian Peters also had success with a touchdown bomb, and another long pass to Nick Scoliere on the game-winning drive. Given that the Cadets will need all facets clicking next week for the conference title bout against Montini, Peters will likely get more chances. Marmion's rugged defense, which knocked Walther Lutheran star Sean Cotton out of last week's game in a second straight running-clock effort, returned defensive end Nate Pacer to the unit. Pacer and Scoliere at the ends, with Ryan Glasgow in at Eberth's spot and Blake Mickey also on the line, will have their big hands full on the option, identifying the ball carrier and keeping blockers off Lally who offensively against Walther ran for 126 yards and 3 touchdowns. "The option hurt us last year both against Chicago Christian and Prairie Ridge," Thorpe said. "We have to be assignment-perfect."

Next week: Immaculate Conception (5-2, 3-1) at Chicago Christian, Oct. 22; Marmion at Montini (5-2, 4-0), Oct. 22.