QUICK READ: Conditions force field changes

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Change of venue requests are common but not always granted in the justice world.

On Planet Pigskin, the decision to move tonight’s IHSA Class 6A playoff game from Marmion to Aurora Christian actually sits better with Huntley, the Cadets’ opponent, who did not even file the petition.

Standing water remains on Marmion’s home field, and the threat of more precipitation before the 7 p.m. kickoff prompted a shift to an artificial turf surface across town.

“It was not an advantage for us, and yet we loved the move,” Red Raiders coach Steve Graves said. “We are all tired of playing in mud and the kids love to play on turf. No matter which team wins, it is fun for the kids, so we were in favor of it.”

While Graves believes the turf enhances the speed of Cadets play-makers T.J. Lally and Matt Pircon, that tandem actually has been just as effective in the slop.

Marmion, which would have hosted its first home playoff game since 1998, favors a run-first attack that also includes carries from fullback Bobby Winkel. Players feed off the mentality that brings, crediting a large part of it to the recent string of wet and rainy Friday nights that promotes a smash-mouth game.

“The kids want to play at home,” Cadets coach Dan Thorpe said, “but that’s because they love playing in the mud. Sometimes adults have to step in and make decisions, though, and I hope this was the right one.”

Neither team has played on turf this season. Marmion met Suburban Christian Blue rival Aurora Central Catholic but not crossover opponent Aurora Christian. Huntley, meanwhile, found neither Grayslake team on its schedule.

St. Francis, another run-happy team from the SCC Blue, will begin its 5A state title defense against Montini on Saturday on the neutral-site turf of West Chicago. The Spartans’ field has not taken to the rain as well as past seasons, and St. Francis athletic director Paul Linden said the program could remain at West Chicago for any other potential “home” playoff games this fall.

“The proximity to us is just phenomenal, and I know coach [Greg] Purnell’s intent is to get the best footing possible for his running attack,” Linden said. “We’ll be on turf until further notice.”

Goodbye, mudders, at least for now.

Life imitates art, Part 2: Someone stop the madness.

I used this space earlier this month to write about my “Bring It On” sensor detecting that the Neuqua Valley cheerleaders had lifted some of their repertoire from that movie. Turns out their Batavia counterparts weren’t far behind.

Rooting their loudest this past Friday with Geneva in town, the Bulldogs used the same “Knock ‘em down/Roll ‘em around/C’mon defense, work” chant that Neuqua Valley lifted from the fictional Rancho Carne Toros weeks ago.

If teams unveil new wrinkles for the playoffs, here’s hoping cheerleaders are up to the challenge, too.

• Kevin Druley is a sportswriter for The Chronicle. He can be reached at 630-845-5347 or kdruley@kcchronicle.com.

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