St. Edward finishes with big win

It wasn't the ideal way to end a season: a lengthy delay due to lightning, periods of wind and rain, no marching band, and a very sparse crowd.

For St. Edward, though, the season ended with a win Friday night, 20-8 over host Marmion. And that, at least, felt good.

"I'm so proud of them," said St. Edward coach Mike Rolando, who has coached this senior class for six years, including junior high. "They've played great with some awesome teams all year, and I think tonight they took another step forward. They wanted to go out on a high note."

The Green Wave did so despite not completing a pass in the difficult conditions. Instead, they piled up more than 280 yards on the ground, led by Jimmy Mathisen and Moises Quiroga. Mathisen ran for 146 yards and a pair of touchdowns, while Quiroga added 69 and a score.

Mathisen's touchdown came nine and a half minutes into the first quarter, capping a 12-play drive. After that, St. Edward just kept up the pressure.

"We came real close to pitching the shutout," Rolando said.

Marmion's only points came on defense, a 68-yard fumble return by Joe Weber in the third quarter with the Green Wave already up 20-0. The Cadets hurt themselves much of the night, turning the ball over five times and failing to get off a punt.

Marmion had only 7 first downs and had trouble establishing its usual strong running game. The lone highlight on offense was a 48-yard pass play from Ricky Bird to Bobby Miles, but that drive ended on an interception by Adam Gilies. Gilies ran it back 90 yards, setting up Mathisen's second touchdown, from 5 yards out.

Bird finished 8 of 15 passing for 121 yards, with two interceptions.

"We couldn't run the ball, and when we get behind and they know we're throwing it's hard to pass block," Marmion coach Dan Thorpe said. "I'm disappointed in the results, but not disappointed in the effort."

The Green Wave (2-5 Suburban Catholic Conference) end the season 4-5 overall, a big improvement from last year's 1-8 record. Marmion ends its year 3-6 overall and 1-6 in conference play.