Marmion still perfect

There's a huge gap between the top of the Suburban Christian Conference and the bottom and it's not pretty.

Marmion Academy continued its undefeated ways, capitalizing on four Walther Lutheran turnovers in a dominating 49-6 defeat of the Broncos during the Cadets' Saturday afternoon homecoming at Fichtel Field.

"You gotta stay sharp, respect everybody, fear none," Marmion coach Dan Thorpe said. "My goal always is to go 1-0 this week and we were 1-0 this week."

The Cadets (7-0, 4-0) held a 35-0 lead at halftime behind the legs of senior running back T.J. Lally, who scored on runs of 1 and 40 yards, while rushing for 104 yards in the first-half and 131 for the game, including a 27-yard touchdown run in the third quarter.

"It's outstanding," said Lally about running behind such a big offensive line. "It's easy as running backs to score when you don't get touched almost every time you get the ball. They were great at the beginning of the season and they're five times better now."

Garrett Becker scored on a 7-yard run to open the scoring and Nick Scoliere also scored on a 13-yard run following one of Walther Lutheran's three first-half turnovers.

"They threw some wrinkles at us that we hadn't prepared for and the offensive line made the adjustments," Thorpe said. "You're always glad to see that when you practice all week for one defense and they give you something a little different."

Cadets' junior defensive back Rob Voirin scored the half's final touchdown, returning an interception 48-yards following an errant pass from Broncos' tailback Andre Cooper on a trick play.

"First three possessions we turn the ball over," Walther Lutheran acting head coach Steve Heuser said. "Any chance you have (to win) is gone. Unfortunately, we're at a point in the season where our guys go 'Here we go again.'"

The Broncos were held to 93 yards of offense in the first-half, were sacked four times, and suffered their biggest loss when multi-purpose quarterback Sean Cotton, a Northwestern-recruit, left the game with a back injury a few minutes later, never to return. Cooper left the game at halftime after suffering an asthma attack, leaving a depleted Broncos' squad on the field in a huge deficit.

"Sean got hurt and he's the leader of our team and we just wilted," Heuser added. "There was no picking it up. Of course, if I knew how to fix that I'd bottle it, sell it, and be a millionaire and you and I would be on an island right now doing this interview."

Marmion senior Jordan Meyer scored on a 28-yard third quarter run immediately following the Broncos' (2-5, 0-4) fourth turnover and second fumble.

Walther Lutheran running back Sidney Arnold scored the Broncos' lone touchdown, following up a 48-yard fourth quarter run by Cody Cotton with a 12-yard sprint to the right endzone.

Marmion has another tune-up game next week, hosting Chicago Christian, before its big showdown with Montini.

"Our motto has been 'humble, focused, and hungry.'" Thorpe said. "Our kids have bought into it, all three words."