Cadets hope to replicate effort
By KEVIN DRULEY – kdruley@kcchronicle.com
Conflicted about losing a true home game and another chance to roll around in the mud, the Marmion football team agreed on the bottom line of last week's first-round victory against Huntley in the IHSA Class 6A playoffs.
"It was huge for us to get this win, to keep moving forward and knowing that we can beat teams in the playoffs," Cadets senior fullback/linebacker Bobby Winkel said. "Because everyone is good in the playoffs whether they're 5-4 or have a big record. It was a big contribution by every single person."
While Marmion stops short of underselling a Suburban Christian Conference schedule that fed the Cadets' nine-game winning streak, the victory showed a veteran team with sparse playoff experience it belonged. Cadets coach Dan Thorpe playfully suggested the win spoiled players too much given a week of so-so practices, but still believes the team is prepared for tonight's second round game at Prairie Ridge.
"Last week should give us confidence, and it has," Thorpe said, "but we also have to show up and play again."
Marmion hardly takes that basic task lightly. A senior core of two-way players has endured injuries from Week 1, when senior wide receiver/running back Matt Pircon left an eventual loss to South Elgin with a bruised shoulder.
Huntley knocked running back T.J. Lally loopy during the first half last week, causing him to leave the game as a precaution, but Thorpe expects the senior to be back in full form against Prairie Ridge.The hobbled Cadets continue to shuttle in and out of the lineup while getting the same results.
"It's the drive of senior year and not wanting to hang up your pads on Monday," said Pircon, who played through the second half against Huntley with a charley horse. "It's just a little pain, like a little prick on the hand."
Thorpe praised Huntley's defensive intensity and said the Red Raiders "knocked the [heck] out of us." He figures Prairie Ridge will do the same, but the idea doesn't faze him.
Class 6A: Marmion (9-1) at Prairie Ridge (7-3)
When: 7:30 p.m. today
Last playoff appearances: Marmion advanced in 2007. Prairie Ridge was part of the field in 2008.
About the Cadets: Prairie Ridge coach Chris Schremp presided over the Wolves' playoff win against the Cadets two seasons ago but says he sees a much more dangerous and different team on film. Marmion runs out of several different formations and is equally effective. In a first-round win against Huntley, the Cadets primarily relied on fullback Bobby Winkel bulling straight ahead and Matt Pircon taking snaps out of the trendy Wildcat. The defense features several two-way contributors, including Winkel and Pircon. Winkel's younger brother, Jake, is an offensive and defensive lineman.
About the Wolves: A fellow run-first team, the Wolves operate out of a triple-option scheme that includes running backs Tim Deering and Justin Henderson and quarterback Jon Williams, who each have rushed for at least 540 yards and six touchdowns. Williams has thrown for only 570 yards while attempting just 80 passes. Junior free safety Devon Vance leads the team with 95 tackles and has snagged one of its 10 interceptions. Defensive lineman Greg Drain is next with 86 tackles, while middle linebacker Ryan Melbourn shifts between run and pass coverage.
Bottom line: Marmion running back T.J. Lally is expected to return after leaving last week's game as a precaution after taking a hard hit. That only adds to the depth of a rushing attack that has pointed the Cadets to nine straight victories. Marmion can make it 10 by taking care of the ball and clock against a team that is 1-3 at home this season.
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