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 Varsity Football

Front: (Left to Right) Simone Awe, Nora Bingham, Ali Plonczynski, Claire Roberts,

Kelsey Harding, Audrey Gustafson

Second: Chewy Budmayr, Riley Balduf, Zack Benkert, Matt Slavik, Mike Elder, Andrew Stone, Matt Ford, Julian Newsome

Third: Ryan Wiznerowicz, Jake Kroll, Matt Simpson, Colton Wenstrom, Corey Cavitt, Eli McGuire, Jared Koch, Alex Bach, Connor Burns, Matt VanDerBosch

Fourth: Mike Pappas, John Miceli, Dan Iverson, Alex Corn, Ryan Szudarski, Tyler

Nichols, Adam Szudarski, C.J. Price, Brian Rowe

Fifth: Isaac Davidson, Ryan McKee, Scott Bolton, Will Hass, Kevin Bussey, John Hussey, Ryan Anderson, Greg Whalen, Ben Krol

Back: Coach Dirk Stanger, Coach Tim Lalor, Coach Steve Spoden, Head Coach Ed Brucker, Coach Terry Stanger, Trainer Kevin Barnes

 

Hurricane-force play to debut soon

James Militello Marian senior Greg Whalen works with teammates on zone blocking at practice Aug. 24.

It's been a long road for Marian Central Catholic High School football players, who have been training hard since last November for this week, the start of the high school football season.

The effort will have been well worth it, though, as the Hurricanes come into a new season with much to be grateful for and much to look forward to.

The 'Canes will start 14 returning players from last year, 12 of them seniors. As it is for most teams, the season sits primarily on the shoulders of the senior class, especially Adam Szudarski, Kevin Bussey, John Miceli, Tyler Nichols, Zach Benkert and Mike Pappas.

The juniors are also positioned to contribute greatly to the team, especially in the backfield, where juniors Jared Koch and Corey Cavitt are positioned. Junior Ben Krol will be taking over as quarterback one year after an unfortunate season-ending injury to Jon Budmayr that still hangs over the team.

"The line is doing a great job protecting me and helping with the transition to varsity," Krol said. "Budmayr was the quarterback for four years, so I really don't think about everyone watching me. I just do the best I can to make the team win."

This season there are two injuries that could affect the team. Senior standouts Ryan Szudarski and Eli McGuire are hurt, with Szudarski suffering from a broken wrist and McGuire nursing a shoulder injury.

"I think the guys are ready," Marian head coach Ed Brucker said. "We have to come out early and execute our plays. Our veteran line will protect Krol, and the defense will be a lot better than last year."

The 'Canes kick off the season on the road against North Chicago High School at 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 28. The team will start the season 1-0 after Suburban Catholic Conference foe Driscoll Catholic High School closed at the end of the last school year, giving each team in the SCC an automatic win due to forfeit.

 

Marian aims for rebound season

At first look, Marian Central’s 2008 season was a disappointment.

The Hurricanes started the season at No. 1 in The Associated Press Class 5A rankings, but lost Wisconsin-bound quarterback Jon Budmayr to a broken collarbone and missed the playoffs.

Still, Marian’s 4-5 record was remarkable since all five losses came against playoff quarterfinal teams, two of which – Immaculate Conception (2A) and St. Francis (5A) – won state titles.

The Hurricanes lost graduated two NCAA Division I players – Budmayr and guard Cody O’Neill (South Dakota) – but return four linemen, their top two backs and their leading receiver. Marian will fly a little under the radar, but could be a factor again in the new Suburban Christian Conference Blue Division.

The SCC had its own version of a dispersal draft over the summer with the closing of perennial state football power Driscoll.

The big winner was Immaculate Conception, which landed 12 former Driscoll players. Montini has five former Highlanders, led by running back Nick Campanella, who gained almost 1,700 all-purpose yards and scored 18 touchdowns last season.

Montini will be a favorite in the SCC Blue Division, while Immaculate Conception is a frontrunner in the SCC Gold.

At first look, Marian Central’s 2008 football season was a disappointment.

The Hurricanes started the season at No. 1 in The Associated Press Class 5A rankings, but lost Wisconsin-bound quarterback Jon Budmayr to a broken collarbone and missed the playoffs.

Still, Marian’s 4-5 record was remarkable since all five losses came against playoff quarterfinal teams, two of which – Immaculate Conception (2A) and St. Francis (5A) – won state titles.

The Hurricanes graduated two NCAA Division I players – Budmayr and guard Cody O’Neill (South Dakota) – but return four linemen, their top two backs and their leading receiver. Marian will fly a little under the radar, but could be a factor again in the new Suburban Christian Conference Blue Division.

The SCC had its own version of a dispersal draft over the summer with the closing of perennial state football power Driscoll.

The big winner was Immaculate Conception, which landed 12 former Driscoll players. Montini has five former Highlanders, led by running back Nick Campanella, who gained almost 1,700 all-purpose yards and scored 18 touchdowns last season.

Montini will be a favorite in the SCC Blue Division, while Immaculate Conception is a frontrunner in the SCC Gold

 

Marian's dynamic duo

 

Marian Central’s Corey Cavitt escapes a Cary-Grove defender during a game last season. (Northwest Herald file photo)

Corey Cavitt and Jared Koch pro­bably wouldn’t want to compete against each other in their offseason sports.

Just like Marian Central’s football opponents likely will not enjoy trying to tackle the Hurricanes’ two running backs this season.

Cavitt competed in powerlifting and won two national championships at 181 pounds. Koch took fourth at 189 pounds at the IHSA Class 2A State Wrestling Tournament in February, then took sixth at the prestigious ASICS/Vaughan Junior and Cadet National Championships last month in Fargo, N.D.

Together, with a big experienced line paving the way in front of them, Cavitt and Koch hope to help the Hurricanes back to the playoffs for the fifth time in seven years.

“Corey and I are coming in great shape,” Koch said. “Not only do we have a huge line, but there’s a lot of experience. I think we’re both going to have great years with all the training we’ve been doing. I’m really excited.”

Koch (5-foot-11, 195 pounds) worked out with the team and Crystal Lake trainer, Dave Davis, then did more football training with J.R. Niklos at Acceleration Pro in Naperville. That was in addition to his offseason wrestling work. No wonder it was Koch who gained notoriety as a freshman for scoring the first takedown in 2008 against Richmond-Burton’s three-time state champion Jor­dan Blanton.

Cavitt (5-10, 195) bench presses 365 pounds and squats 610 pounds. He and lineman John Hussey were lifting teammates through the spring with Kelly Cavitt, Corey’s father and a former lifter, as their coach.

While they look alike in pads and their speed is similar, they have different running styles.

“Jared’s got a little longer stride and is deceptive,” Marian coach Ed Brucker said. “Corey looks quicker through the hole. They both run hard and they’re starting to understand the offense more.”

Cavitt and Koch started last season in the backfield, meaning they could start three seasons together by the time they graduate. First-year starting quarterback Ben Krol should benefit from the Hurricanes’ ability to pound the ball, since there will be less pressure on him to throw.

“Jared ducks his head a little more, while I try to get outside,” Cavitt said. “I just go and try to make stuff out of it. We’re pretty close in speed, but I think I’m a little quicker off the ball.”

Koch agrees with Cavitt.

“My start speed’s not great, but top-end I may be a little faster,” Koch said.

With former quarterback Jon Budmayr, who was injured in last season’s opener and missed the rest of the season, the Hurricanes were more of a throwing team. Brucker’s offense distributes the carries, so the tandem is ideal for Marian.

“They really don’t know what they’re going to get,” Cavitt said

Marian Central’s Ryan Szudarski knew that he was in trouble at the instant of impact.

The Hurricanes senior linebacker came up to meet running back Jared Koch in Saturday’s practice, the first day football teams in Illinois could wear pads, and got the worst of the collision.

Szudarski (6 feet, 2 inch, 200 pounds) suffered fractures in his right arm (the ulna and radius) and could miss the entire season. Szudarski, a two-way starter at linebacker and tight end, will have surgery to set the bones today. He hopes the Hurricanes might play long enough into the season that he can return.

“It’s supposed to take three months to heal,” Szudarski said. “If we’re deep in the playoffs, there’s a chance I might make it back. I’m just hoping I can play at least a couple games.”

Marian coach Ed Brucker is not expecting to get Szudarski back because Szudarski will wear a cast for almost three months. Brucker also said that wide receiver-defensive back Eli McGuire, an all-Suburban Catholic Conference selection last season, will miss the season. McGuire suffered a shoulder injury playing baseball that will require season-ending surgery.

“I was really optimistic [heading into the preseason],” Brucker said. “I still am, but that’s a huge blow. This is not a good start.”

Szudarski caught 22 passes for 279 yards and one touchdown last season. His twin, Adam, led Marian with 23 receptions. Both players figured to be key contributors for the Hurricanes on offense and defense.

Ryan Szudarski suffered a broken arm in the same spots in February in a physical education class. After doing a pull-up, he did a dip and said his arm got caught between two bars.

“I felt like I was 100 percent again,” Szudarski said. “When that play happened, I knew it was broken.”

Since this time the bones were displaced, it will require surgery. Szudarski will see Dr. Rolando Izquierdo at Crystal Lake Orthopedics for surgery this afternoon. That surgery will require a plate inserted to help the bones set properly.

The Szudarski brothers attended several one-day camps over the summer at Wisconsin, Eastern Illinois and Winona State to gain exposure to college coaches. Ryan still hopes to play college football after missing his senior season and is looking at NCAA Division III powerhouse Wisconsin-Whitewater as one of his potential schools.

“Hopefully I can rebuild myself after this,” he said. “I’ll help out [replacements] Kevin [Bussey] and John [Miceli] and make sure they’re doing the job right. As soon as I can start running, I’ll get back in shape.”

Hurricanes rain on Warhawks parade

James Militello Marian junior Jared Koch breaks free of a would-be tackler in the second quarter of the Hurricanes' 42-6 win over North Chicago Saturday.

North Chicago High School looked to capitalize on its home-field advantage when it took on Marian Central Catholic High School Saturday, but Hurricanes running back Andrew Stone had other plans.

After rain and sloppy field conditions Friday caused a one-day postponement of the season-opener, the 'Canes came out strong, defeating the Warhawks 42-6 behind Stone's three-touchdown night.

But before Stone and the rest of the offense could take the field, the tone already was set. The Hurricanes' defense held the Warhawks to a quick three-and-out on the first series of the game, forcing an early punt.

With momentum in his favor, 'Canes quarterback Ben Kroll led his offense onto the field. After the running game yielded several successful sweeps and dives up the middle, Kroll connected with tight end Riley Balduf on a pass that turned into Marian's first touchdown. Only minutes later, the Hurricanes found themselves on the Warhawks' 20-yard line, and Stone capitalized on the good field position with the first of his touchdown runs. The 'Canes finished the first quarter leading 14-0.

Another rushing touchdown by Stone and a Jared Koch score gave Marian a decisive 28-0 lead over North Chicago at the half. The 'Canes were in a position to add to their first-half lead after Marian's Tyler Nichols intercepted a long pass, but they were denied when Kroll committed one of his only errors of the night, throwing an interception with less than 1:30 left in the second quarter.

The 'Canes' defense continued to dominate in the second half, keeping the Warhawks scoreless for the third quarter and allowing only six points in the fourth after North Chicago running back Brandon Davis broke free for a 73-yard touchdown run. Marian's offense tacked on another two touchdowns late in the game, with Stone running for his final score of the evening, and Zach Benkert adding the last TD.

The Hurricanes racked up 266 yards on the ground while Kroll went 3-for-5 for 69 yards. The defense gave up 144 yards on the night.

"(The win) feels good," Kroll said following the game. "Hard work is paying off. We're going after Cary-Grove next week. We can't dwell on this win; we're going right after them."

The Hurricanes will host the Fox Valley Conference champion Trojans at home at 7 p.m. Friday.

"We're not going to back down from (Cary-Grove)," said Marian head coach Ed Brucker. "The kids are going to be focused. We're going to be ready for them."

North Chicago routed in season opener

The Glen Kozlowski Era began at North Chicago High on Saturday night, and it was not the success that all associated with North Chicago had hoped it would be.

Marian Central of Woodstock scored on four of its first five possessions, covered the running-clock 40-point spread in the fourth quarter and routed the Warhawks 42-6.

North Chicago’s offensive highlight was a consolation score on an 85-yard run by Brandon Davis with about four minutes to go in the game.

Otherwise, it was all Hurricanes.

North Chicago looked sharp in new uniforms, but could not open holes for running back and protect the quarterback on offense, and were pushed back on virtually every play while on defense

Marian RB Stone runs for 3 scores

NORTH CHICAGO – Marian Central junior running back Andrew Stone had a varsity football debut to remember Saturday night.

Stone carried the ball 10 times for 94 yards, but more importantly, he scored three touchdowns in the Hurricanes’ 42-6 romp against North Chicago. It was the season opener for both teams after Friday night’s scheduled non-conference game was postponed because of wet field conditions.

“I couldn’t have done this tonight without my offensive line,” Stone said. “They were awesome.”

The Hurricanes’ defense wasn’t bad, either. Marian held North Chicago to 144 total yards from scrimmage, (125 rushing, 19 passing). If it weren’t for a late 73-yard touchdown run by North Chicago running back Brandon Davis, the Warhawks’ yardage totals would have been much lower.

“I think we executed very well tonight,” Marian coach Ed Brucker said. “We cut down on the mistakes and capitalized on our opportunities.”

“We hadn’t even held a scrimmage before tonight’s game.”

Because of their strong ground attack, Marian needed to pass the ball only five times. But when their quarterbacks did throw, they were effective, finishing a combined 2-for-5 for 72 yards, a touchdown and an interception.

Senior Zach Benkert (9 carries, 57 yards, TD) also had a strong opening night, as did junior Jared Koch (9 carries, 62 yards, TD).

“Those guys were blessed (with good blocking) tonight,” Brucker said.

The Hurricanes also picked up their first interception of the season, when senior defensive back Tyler Nichols returned a pick 37 yards late in the first half. Kicker Colton Wenstrom was 7-for-7 on extra points.

Marian (1-0) will face a huge test Friday, when it hosts a Cary-Grove team that won its opener in convincing fashion, 40-0, against Crystal Lake Central.

“We won’t have a hard time getting motivated for those guys,” Brucker said.

Trojans shut out Hurricanes

Bragging rights were on the line when class 6A powerhouse Cary-Grove took on playoff-hopeful Marian in the Hurricanes' home-opener Friday night. Looking to redeem themselves after last season's 38-17 loss to the Trojans, the 'Canes faltered badly behind a spotty defense and a floundering offense, falling to C-G 47-0.

"Our intensity wasn't there," said Hurricanes head coach Ed Brucker. "I still think we had a good plan to stop them, but we got out-hit and out-tackled."

The game was marked by plenty of emotional intensity, however, with both teams getting pegged with unsportsmanlike-conduct penalties in the first quarter.

"They were more physical than us and we weren't ready to match their play," Brucker said.

Marian found itself down 12-0 after one quarter of play, but it was the second quarter that saw C-G pouring on the offense. The Trojans scored four touchdowns, including an easy one after a wayward snap sailed over Marian junior quarterback Ben Krol's head, resulting in a turnover. The 'Canes went into the locker room at the half trailing 41-0.

"(Cary-Grove) played faster than us and came out with more intensity," said Marian senior John Hussey. "We had a game plan and we didn't follow through with it."

The second half featured a less aggressive C-G offense and a more effective 'Canes defense, with the Trojans scoring only once in the third quarter and adding nothing in the fourth.

In all, the Hurricanes gave up more than 300 yards to the Trojans. Still, with last week's commanding 42-6 victory over North Chicago fresh in their minds, 'Canes players are looking forward to their next game.

"We are going to have to forget about the game, learn from our mistakes and get ready to do some work," Hussey said.

Marian will kick off Suburban Christian Conference play at home against Aurora Central Catholic at 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 11.

"This is going to be a test for us," Marian junior Jared Koch said of the contest against ACC. "We're going to see where we are in the conference after this upcoming game."

 

Trojans make it look easy

WOODSTOCK – Even Cary-Grove couldn’t have predicted its no-huddle offense would work this fast.  

The Trojans scored on their first five offensive possessions Friday night en route to a 47-0 drubbing of Marian Central at George Harding Field.

Tyler Krebs led the Trojans to consecutive 60-plus yard touchdown drives to start the game, the first ending with a 20-yard pass to wide receiver Chad McCarron and the second on a 21-yard quarterback keeper.

C-G was able to control the game and the clock with a dominating performance by the offensive line.

“The key is playing low,” senior lineman Sean Considine said. “We play low and we play with all our hearts. We have great respect for all of our running backs and want to create space for them to run.”

The Trojans’ rushers used that space to churn out 303 total rushing yards. Alex Hembrey led the team with 143 yards on 12 carries and scored three touchdowns, and senior Luke Cook added a score late in the fourth quarter.

“We came out and executed our game plan almost to perfection,” C-G coach Bruce Kay said.“Playing an up-tempo and aggressive brand of football really shut down the other team.”

It was the second week the strategy worked. C-G (2-0) has yet to allow a point in the season’s first two weeks. Last week, C-G easily handled Crystal Lake Central, 40-0.

“It’s hard to find fault with two shutouts,” Kay said. “But there are still some things we can work on. There’s always room for improvement.”

Marian (1-1) was unable to sustain any momentum throughout the first half; the Hurricanes committed two costly turnovers.

Just when things couldn’t seem much worse, a high snap over the ‘Canes quarterback Benjamin Krol’s head rolled into Marian’s end zone, where the Trojans’ Danny Scott scooped it up for the defensive touchdown with 20 seconds left in the second quarter.

Marian committed three turnovers in a game that was over as soon as it started.

“I thought we were ready to come out and play,” Marian coach Ed Brucker said. “They just came out and hit us hard. We got our heads handed to us tonight.”

Despite the lopsided loss, Brucker and the Hurricanes will quickly shift their focus to next week.

“It’s gut-check time,” Brucker said. “The team is going to learn from this game and we can only get better. We obviously weren’t good tonight, but I don’t think we are as bad as we played.”
 
C-G shows its versatility in big win over Marian

Yes, Cary-Grove has a potent running game.

Yes, Cary-Grove possesses a hard-hitting defense.

But opponents beware - the Trojans can throw the ball effectively.

Senior quarterback Tyler Krebs completed 4-of-8 passes for 87 yards, which included a 20-yard touchdown strike to Chad McCarron. With all facets of the game clicking, the Trojans buried Marian Central 47-0 in nonconference action in Woodstock Friday night.

"We played a very good overall game," Cary-Grove coach Bruce Kay said. "I really liked our passing game tonight. Tyler threw the ball well and Chad made some good

catches."

McCarron ended with 3 catches for 54 yards and a score while John Kraft had a catch for 33 yards. But it was the Trojans' powerful option attack which set the tone early.

Going 73 yards in 8 plays, Cary-Grove (2-0) scored first on a 21-yard run by Krebs with 6:22 left in the first quarter. Four minutes later Cary-Grove scored again when Krebs hooked up with McCarron for a 20-yard score. In both instances the extra-point kick failed and the Trojans led 12-0 after eight minutes.

"We have to get better in special teams," said Kay. "We can't miss extra points if we are going to be a great team."

Cary-Grove put the game away with 29 unanswered points in the second quarter. Alex Hembrey, who gained 159 yards in 13 carries, scored three times in the quarter on runs of 11, 4 and 9 yards.

"The offensive line blocked like animals all night," Hembrey said. "I had so much running room when I got the ball. All the credit goes to the offensive line."

The Trojan defense, which limited Marian Central (1-1) to 86 yards and 7 first downs, scored its second touchdown in as many weeks when Danny Scott recovered a fumble in the end zone with 46 seconds left before the half. The Trojans had a commanding 41-0 lead at halftime.

"Marian Central's offense looked darn good against North Chicago," said Cary-Grove defensive coordinator Don Sutherland. 'We were really concerned, but the defense did a good job of defending the pass and we shut down their run."

Cary-Grove senior defensive back Trent Sorensen had a key interception in the first half which set up a score.

The Trojans played without senior back Steve Hapanovich, who was out with a staph infection.

"He practiced all week and his ankle just ballooned before we left for the game," said Kay. "We have to have it drained out and he should be able to practice Tuesday and play next week."

 

Marmion wears down Marian

It took heart, desire and conditioning for Marmion to do something it hadn't done since 2002 - beat Marian Central.

The Cadets used all three to defeat the Hurricanes, 41-27, Friday night in a Suburban Christian Blue contest at Fichtel Field in Aurora.

Trailing 20-12 late in the third quarter, Matt Pircon, who had missed the past two games with a separated shoulder, found the end zone on a 31-yard sweep to make it 20-18. After missing a kick and failing to convert on pass on its two first half touchdowns, the Cadets turned to quarterback Will Sterne whose 2-point conversion run knotted the score at 20-20 with 2:41 remaining in the third quarter.

Marmion (3-1, 2-0) wasted little time in then taking the game over. After forcing the Hurricanes to go three-and-out on their next possession, the Cadets used 8 plays and nearly 5 minutes of clock to take a 27-20 lead on T.J. Lally's 11-yard run.

"We told the kids all week we're going to win the game late in the second quarter and in the fourth quarter," Marmion coach Dan Thorpe said. "My hat goes off to (assistant head) Coach (Kurt) Becker, he's in charge of conditioning and he runs them and he runs them for a reason and the kids buy into it. The kids compete Monday through Thursday on the practice field and carry it over to Friday night."

Marian Central (2-2, 1-1) remained within striking distance until Marian Central quarterback lost sight of Lally off in the distance on a 3rd-down-and-17. Lally intercepted Krol's pass and took it 55 yards into the end zone to give the Cadets a 34-20 lead with just 2:53 remaining.

"I just dropped back in my middle zone and got a good break on the ball," Lally said. "I just cut in front of it and had some good lead blocking."

Marmion added another touchdown when the Hurricanes fumbled the ensuing kickoff. Two plays later and Mike Carbonara scored on a 21-yard run. He also had a 34-yard touchdown reception in the first quarter.

"At first we were a little slow coming off the ball but in the second half we ran harder," Carbonara said. "Give it up to the line because they did a great job tonight."

That offensive line includes center Mike Hallaway, guards Jeff McLean and Connor English, tackles Jake Winkel and Graham Glasgow and tight ends Tony Tate and Brian Freda.

The defense also did its part, especially in the second half. The Cadets forced punts on four consecutive drives, intercepted a pass and shut out the Hurricanes in the second half, save for a meaningless touchdown with 15 ticks remaining.

"We calmed down in the second half and made some adjustments in our scheme," Lally said. "And then, I think it was heart and desire that made us better."

 

Marmion's second-half surge buries Marian Central

AURORA – Unfortunately, halftime leads do not count in the standings.

Marian Central (2-2, 1-1 Suburban Christian Conference Blue Division) played well in the first half Friday, but came apart late in the game and lost, 41-27, to Marmion in SCC Blue action.

Marmion (3-1, 2-0) scored 29 unanswered points in the second half, including three touchdowns in a seven-minute span, to turn a close game into a lopsided one.

Penalties, turnovers and sacks spoiled Marian Central’s night. Corey Cavitt rushed for 79 yards and two touchdowns in the first half as Marian Central built a 20-12 lead, but that proved to be inadequate.

“We had an eight-point lead at half, and then we just kind of collapsed,” Marian Central coach Ed Brucker said.

The Hurricanes punted on their first four drives of the second half, and the fifth drive was even uglier. Quarterback Benjamin Krol threw a pass over the middle of the field that was picked off by Marmion linebacker T.J. Lally and returned 55 yards for a backbreaking touchdown to put the Cadets ahead, 34-20, with 2:39 to go in the game.

Marian Central fumbled away the kickoff return on its next play, and Marmion running back Mike Carbonara broke free for a 21-yard touchdown run to increase the lead to 21 points with 1:37 to go.

Just like that, the game was out of reach.

“They just pounded it on us,” said Marian Central receiver-cornerback Adam Szudarski, one of the team’s most vocal leaders. “We let up. The defense made some mistakes, and we pretty much gave up at the end.”

Marmion coach Dan Thorpe credited his team’s conditioning with its second-half surge. Players who shined late for the Cadets included Lally, who provided several jarring hits at linebacker, an interception return for a touchdown, and 54 rushing yards with another touchdown on the ground.

It took heart, desire and conditioning for Marmion to do something it hadn't done since 2002 - beat Marian Central.

The Cadets used all three to defeat the Hurricanes, 41-27, Friday night in a Suburban Christian Blue contest at Fichtel Field in Aurora.

Trailing 20-12 late in the third quarter, Matt Pircon, who had missed the past two games with a separated shoulder, found the end zone on a 31-yard sweep to make it 20-18. After missing a kick and failing to convert on pass on its two first half touchdowns, the Cadets turned to quarterback Will Sterne whose 2-point conversion run knotted the score at 20-20 with 2:41 remaining in the third quarter.

Marmion (3-1, 2-0) wasted little time in then taking the game over. After forcing the Hurricanes to go three-and-out on their next possession, the Cadets used 8 plays and nearly 5 minutes of clock to take a 27-20 lead on T.J. Lally's 11-yard run.

"We told the kids all week we're going to win the game late in the second quarter and in the fourth quarter," Marmion coach Dan Thorpe said. "My hat goes off to (assistant head) Coach (Kurt) Becker, he's in charge of conditioning and he runs them and he runs them for a reason and the kids buy into it. The kids compete Monday through Thursday on the practice field and carry it over to Friday night."

Marian Central (2-2, 1-1) remained within striking distance until Marian Central quarterback lost sight of Lally off in the distance on a 3rd-down-and-17. Lally intercepted Krol's pass and took it 55 yards into the end zone to give the Cadets a 34-20 lead with just 2:53 remaining.

"I just dropped back in my middle zone and got a good break on the ball," Lally said. "I just cut in front of it and had some good lead blocking."

Marmion added another touchdown when the Hurricanes fumbled the ensuing kickoff. Two plays later and Mike Carbonara scored on a 21-yard run. He also had a 34-yard touchdown reception in the first quarter.

"At first we were a little slow coming off the ball but in the second half we ran harder," Carbonara said. "Give it up to the line because they did a great job tonight."

That offensive line includes center Mike Hallaway, guards Jeff McLean and Connor English, tackles Jake Winkel and Graham Glasgow and tight ends Tony Tate and Brian Freda.

The defense also did its part, especially in the second half. The Cadets forced punts on four consecutive drives, intercepted a pass and shut out the Hurricanes in the second half, save for a meaningless touchdown with 15 ticks remaining.

"We calmed down in the second half and made some adjustments in our scheme," Lally said. "And then, I think it was heart and desire that made us better."

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Marian comes up short in big game

 

James Militello Marian Central's Jared Koch cuts to the outside in the Hurricanes' 41-27 loss to Marmion Academy.

It was a contest that started out more track meet than football game.

With a quick ground game anchoring an efficient offense, Marmion Academy defeated the Marian Central varsity football team 41-27 in Aurora Friday night. Scoring on its first offensive play of the game, the Cadets looked like they might dominate the field, but the Hurricanes quickly answered with a touchdown of their own that would predict the back-and-forth nature of the first half.

Two touchdowns by Marian Central's Corey Cavitt and a quarterback sneak by Ben Krol gave the 'Canes a 20-12 lead with 5:20 left in the first half.

The second half took on an entirely different tone, however. Just a few plays into the third quarter the Cadets hit paydirt and made a two-point conversion to tie the game at 20. After several Marian Central series ended in punts, the Cadets led 27-20 before Marmion's T.J. Lally picked off a Ben Krol pass, returning it for a touchdown, making the score 34-20.

Marian would score its final touchdown with 15 seconds remaining in the game, but not before Marmion had put itself well ahead of the 'Canes with another TD, winning 41-27.

The Hurricanes had 118 yards on the ground, led by Cavitt, who had 81 yards on 16 carries. Krol went 12 for 19 with one passing touchdown and a rushing TD. The Hurricanes defense allowing 239 yards in the game, 145 of which came in the second half.

"We struggled on offense, defense and special teams tonight," Cavitt said. "You can't put blame on one squad. These upcoming games are very important to us because they will decide if we will make playoffs or not."

The Hurricanes (2-2 overall and 1-1 Suburban Christian Conference) face a tough upcoming schedule, with Immaculate Conception, Montini, St. Francis and St. Edward on the docket.

"These next four games are crucial for us," Marian head coach Ed Brucker said. "We're going to have to come back and regroup, because we have some tough games ahead...We have to be able to come back after adversity and play football."

 

 

Marian faces tough road to playoffs

Perhaps the most intriguing schedule for any area football team belongs to Marian Central.

The Hurricanes entered the season believing that they would make the playoffs, but at this point, doing so will not be easy. Three of their four opponents are ranked in The Associated Press polls – St. Francis (No. 9, Class 5A), Montini (No. 10, 5A) and Immaculate Conception (No. 8, 3A) – and the other, St. Edward, was ranked in 4A.

Marian (2-2) lost to Cary-Grove, No. 3 in 6A, and Marmion, another tough opponent. The Hurricanes’ margin for error is small, especially because they will receive a Week 9
forfeit from Driscoll, which closed in June, and thus will get no playoff points. If Marian wins two of its next four games to finish 5-4, it might not have enough playoff points.

“We have a tough road in the [Suburban Christian Conference], then we play Cary-Grove in non-conference,” Marian coach Ed Brucker said. “We have our work cut out for us.”

The Hurricanes host Immaculate Conception (3-1) at
7 p.m. at George Harding Field. The Knights (3-1) won the Class 2A state title last season and picked up about a dozen players from Driscoll.

“They’re very similar to what they have been,” Brucker said. “They’re very big up front and have some real solid-looking guys.”

One good thing for Marian is that Marmion looks like the Suburban Christian Conference Blue Division’s best team.

Defense keys vital victory for ’Canes

WOODSTOCK – Coming into the 2009 season, Marian Central knew the path to the IHSA football playoffs wouldn’t be easy.

The Hurricanes (3-2) took a step in the right direction Friday by defeating Immaculate Conception (2-3), 14-7, in a Suburban Christian Conference crossover clash at George Harding Field.

It was a bit of payback for the ’Canes, whose loss to the Knights a year ago left them one win shy of a playoff berth.

“This was sort of a redemption game for us,” running back Jared Koch said. “We lost a close game to them last season, but we vowed to return the favor this year. We wanted this game bad.”

Koch rushed for 82 yards on 17 attempts, including the game-winning touchdown with 9:52 left in the fourth quarter. He also recovered a muffed punt by the Knights on the next-to-last play of the game.

Perhaps even more impressive was Koch’s determination to stay in the game after he felt his ankle pop halfway through the second quarter. He remained on the sidelines until the third quarter.

“I didn’t want to come out,” Koch said. “I wanted to help the team out in any way possible, even if it meant blocking for Corey [Cavitt].

“We all have each other’s backs, and we’re going to fight until the game is over.”

The game was close throughout the first half, with the only score coming on Cavitt’s five-yard run up the middle to complete a quick seven-play drive toward the end of the first quarter. Cavitt finished with 27 rushes for 142 yards to lead the ‘Canes.

Defensively, Marian Central allowed only 50 total yards in the first half. Defensive end Gregory Whalen sacked Knights’ quarterback Will Cronin with seconds remaining in the second quarter, halting Immaculate Conception’s attempt to even the score before the break.

“Both our lines did a great job in the first half,” Hurricanes’ coach Ed Brucker said. “The key to the game was ball possession.”

“We kept the clock running with our backs, which then helped our defense stay rested for the entire game.”

The defense was able to use that rest on a critical Knights possession midway through the fourth quarter. Immaculate Conception was able to convert twice on fourth-and-short opportunities, one on a fake punt direct-snap, on what ended up being the team’s last offensive possession of the game.

But the Knights were unable to convert a fourth-and-six at Marian’s 33-yard line, as the Hurricanes sniffed out a reverse that ultimately gained two yards after an offensive holding penalty was called.

 

“Marian is by far the best defense we have faced this year,” Knights’ coach Mike Alberts said. “We knew going into the game that they were bigger than us, but we thought we could match their size with physical play.”

“The bottom line is we didn’t execute down the stretch and they did.”

Canes defend turf at homecoming

If playing in the homecoming game wasn't enough motivation for the Marian Central varsity football team, then facing off against Immaculate Conception High School Friday night surely was. Last season, the Knights beat Marian Central and went on to make the playoffs -- and win the Class 2A state football championship -- while the Hurricanes missed making the postseason by just one game.

The Hurricanes put all that behind them this time, pulling off a 14-7 victory behind a stingy defense that held the Knights to 140 yards, 47 of which came off IC's lone touchdown on a run by Conor Hendricks.

Marian Central set the tone early, with a consistent running game and a tough defense that shut down the Knights on their first drive. The 'Canes then pounded the ball down the field, gaining 65 yards on seven plays capped off by a 5-yard touchdown run by Corey Cavitt. Cavitt would go on to gain 142 yards in the game.

The 'Canes' only other touchdown came on a 2-yard run by Jared Koch, but Marian Central's strong play against IC quarterback Will Cronin ensured the two TDs would be more than enough. Cronin went 3-of-9 in the game for 18 yards.

The biggest scare for the Hurricanes came in the fourth quarter, when the Knights, down by seven, converted a fourth down on the Marian Central 32 yard line. Three plays later, IC faced another fourth down, but a failed reverse kept the Knights out of the end zone. Marian ran down the clock before punting with about a minute left. What could have been a sticky situation for the 'Canes defense turned into a non-issue when IC fumbled the punt return and the Marian Central special teams unit regained possession, effectively ending the game.

"I'm happy with how we finished tonight," said Hurricanes head coach Ed Brucker. "Last week we were in a similar situation and we fell apart. This week we kept our poise and played well to the end."

The 'Canes are 3-2 overall and 2-1 in the Suburban Christian Conference. They travel to Montini Catholic High School in Lombard Friday, Oct. 2, for a 7 p.m. kickoff.

Marian seals win with a pick

Marian Central quarterback Ben Krol rolls out of the pocket Friday during the Hurricanes’ 20-14 overtime victory against Montini in Lombard. Marian improved to 4-2 overall and 2-1 in Suburban Christian Conference Blue Division play.

LOMBARD – Marian Central defensive back Andrew Stone knew he could not let Montini wide
receiver Christian Westerkamp come down with the ball in the end zone.

Marian had fought too hard and overcome too much to fall short.

“I was thinking I just had to break that play up some way,” Stone said.

Westerkamp had the ball, but Stone was right on top of him and pried the ball loose. As they fell to the ground, fans on the Montini side thought Westerkamp had the ball, but an official signaled Marian had intercepted the pass.

Hurricanes linebacker Jared Koch caught the deflection to seal a 20-14 overtime win against the Broncos Friday in their Suburban Catholic Conference Blue Division game.

“It went off Stone’s right shoulder and right into my hands,” Koch said. “Stone did a fantastic job fighting and not letting that kid get the ball. I owe that pick to him.”

If Westerkamp had scored, a successful extra point would have given the Broncos (3-3 overall, 1-2 SCC Blue) the victory.

While running back Corey Cavitt (29 carries, 132 yards) was the offensive star for Marian, quarterback Ben Krol’s 4 of 4 passing in the second half and overtime was crucial. And it was Koch’s effort taking a short pass on third down in overtime to set up the winning touchdown.

Koch took a short pass from Krol and was hit near the 8-yard line, but got the ball to the 1. Marian called timeout and set up its winning play, with Cavitt going in off right tackle.

“Ben dumped it off to me and I just fought for what I could get,” Koch said. “Corey did the job punching it in.”

Marian (4-2, 2-1) appeared to be in trouble early in the second quarter when Ryan Gorrell scored on an 11-yard run to give the Broncos a 14-0 lead. The Hurricanes got on the board with 2:00 remaining in the half on Krol’s 47-yard touchdown pass to John Miceli.

“It didn’t look very good at the beginning and I didn’t think we played well at the beginning,” Marian coach Ed Brucker said. “And then we fought back and really outplayed them in the second half. We pretty much dominated that second half.”

The Hurricanes were able to sustain long drives and keep Montini’s offense off the field in the second half.

“We had to come out and run,” Marian offensive tackle Greg Whalen said. “We knew we could push them down the field. That game last week [a 14-7 win against Immaculate Conception] really brought back our fight.”

Marian tied the score at 14-14 on Cavitt’s four-yard run and Colton Wenstrom’s extra point with 4:30 remaining in regulation. Montini moved to the Marian 33 in the final minute, but two Brandon Pechloff passes were knocked down to stop the drive.

After Marian scored, Gorrell carried for six yards, then was stopped for no gain. On third down, Pechloff looked for Westerkamp.

“[Westerkamp] had control, but I got my hand in and knocked it out,” Stone said.

Montini, which was ranked No. 9 in The Associated Press Class 5A poll, had a 31-yard field goal from Matt Kersten sail wide right at the end of the first half.

“There were a couple plays we left on the field,” Broncos coach Chris Andriano said. “[Marian] made the key plays in the game that allowed them to get the win and they deserved it.”

Hurricanes win overtime thriller

 

James Militello Marian Central senior Mike Pappas runs downfield with Montini defenders in pursuit Friday night.

When Marian Central junior Corey Cavitt dived into the end zone for a touchdown against Montini in overtime, it looked as if the Hurricanes had stormed back from an early 14-0 deficit to snag an almost-certain victory Friday night. But when the point-after attempt was missed just moments later, the victory didn't seem so assured. A few overtime plays after that, Montini quarterback Brandon Pechloff dropped back to pass to the left corner of the end zone where the Broncos' Christian Westerkamp and the Hurricanes' Andrew Stone waited. It seemed anything was possible.

"I was rushing the quarterback, and when the ball was in the air, I felt a sinking feeling," Marian Central senior defensive tackle Danny Iverson said of that all-or-nothing play. "It was all about who wanted it more."

If Iverson's assessment is correct, it was the Hurricanes. Pechloff's last-ditch throw was caught by Westerkamp, but, as he came down for what would have been a touchdown, Stone hit the receiver, popping the ball out of Westerkamp's arms. Marian Central's Jared Koch snatched the loose ball out of the air, giving the 'Canes an interception and a dramatic 20-14 overtime win on the road against a fierce Suburban Christian Conference foe.

"The team went out of our minds when Koch came up with the ball," Iverson said. "I know it's something I'll never forget."

The first half of the game didn't foretell such an outcome for the 'Canes, who trailed 14-7 after two quarters. But Marian Central's defense hung tough against ninth-ranked Montini, and a fourth-quarter run by Cavitt tied the game at 14-14 with 4:30 remaining in the game.

"This win is huge for us," Marian Central coach Ed Brucker said. "Two weeks ago, we fell apart (against Marmion Academy), and now we're not falling apart."

Marian Central heads into next week with the confidence and momentum most high school coaches wish for at the end of the season. The 4-2 overall, 2-1 SCC Hurricanes will face two tough opponents in the coming weeks. This Friday they face St. Francis at home, followed by a tough away game against St. Edward.

"We're playing as a team," Koch said after the win. "It's great to come together at this part of the season because it's the stretch for playoffs.

Montini loses in overtime

Montini came up one big play short in Friday's Suburban Christian Conference football showdown against Marian Central.

After the Hurricanes scored to start overtime and were attempting the extra point, Broncos defensive lineman Tom Mihic rose to the occasion to block the kick .

"It was the end of the game and we had to make a play," Mihic said. "Our defense stepped up, and I just got my hand up there."

That gave Montini a big lift when it went on offense.

The Broncos moved the ball down to the Marian Central 4-yard line behind the running of Ryan Gorrell, and quarterback Brandon Pechloff's pass appeared to connect for a touchdown in the left corner, but Hurricanes cornerback Andrew Stone somehow ripped the ball loose and linebacker Jared Koch got the carom for a game-ending interception.

With the 20-14 victory Marian Central played spoiler at Montini's homecoming on a rainy and raw night at John L. Duffy Memorial Field in Lombard.

"(The Hurricanes) made the plays when they had to," said Montini coach Chris Andriano. "I thought our kid had it and we had a touchdown. They made the key plays in the game that allowed them to get the win."

The Broncos (3-3, 0-2) came out strong, cruising to a 14-0 lead early on. On their first series Pechloff marched his team down the field in quick-strike fashion. His big play of the scoring drive was a 39-yard completion to Jordan Westerkamp. Three plays later, he hit Anthony Taylor for a 11-yard touchdown pass.

Montini then tallied its next score early in the second quarter on a 11-yard run by Gorrell. During that drive Pechloff and Taylor linked up on two nice completions for first downs. The Broncos defense looked strong too despite losing one of its top linebackers, Alex Walters. Mihic had a sack. Linebackers Zach Tredenick, Doug Diedrick and Franklin Bruscianelli were active too.

Marian Central (4-2, 2-1) did counter with a 47-yard touchdown reception from Ken Krol to John Miceli with two minutes to play before halftime. The Broncos fought back with a good drive of their own but missed a field goal as time expired on the second quarter.

In the second half as the rain pounded the field, that was when the Hurricanes' offensive line took over. The one-two combo of Corey Cavitt, who ran for 115 yards on 27 carries and Koch, who added 34 yards, were tough to stop.

Cavitt capped a 20-play drive that took nearly 11 minutes off the game clock with a 4-yard touchdown run. The extra point tied the score at 14 with 4:30 to play in the contest. In overtime it was Cavitt who punched in the touchdown.

"I was very proud of the way the kids came back," said Marian Central coach Ed Brucker. "We got down 14-0 and it didn't look very good. We fought back and we outplayed them in the second half."

Hurricanes survive frantic finish

WOODSTOCK – Marian Central needed one win in its final two regular-season football games to guarantee itself a spot in the playoffs, and that win did not come easily against defending IHSA Class 5A state champion St. Francis.

The Hurricanes held off a late fourth-quarter effort by the Spartans to secure a 14-12 Suburban Christian Conference Blue Division win Friday night at George Harding Field.

St. Francis (5-2 overall, 1-2 SCC Blue) is ranked seventh in 5A, and Marian (5-2, 3-1) is 10th.

After a Marian punt late in the fourth quarter, St. Francis senior quarterback Jake Butler connected with wide receiver Dave Spahn on a 53-yard pass to move the ball into Hurricanes territory. Later in the drive, with 28.6 seconds left in the game, Butler hit Spahn again, this time for a 10-yard touchdown pass that put St. Francis within two points. The Spartans went for a two-point conversion but failed.

After an onside kick attempt was recovered by Marian, the Hurricanes ran out the clock.

“Jake Butler throws the ball well, and Dave Spahn came in and made some nice catches,” St. Francis coach Gregg Purnell said. “We got beat by a better football team tonight, and my hat goes off to them.”

Leading, 7-6, in the third quarter, Marian turned the ball over on downs after being stopped a half-yard short of the end zone.

Eight plays into the ensuing drive, Adam Szudarski put a hit on Spartan starting quarterback Collin O’Donnell as he attempted to throw, knocking the ball loose. The ball bounced into the end zone where defensive end Greg Whalen picked it up for the final Marian touchdown and a 14-6 lead.

“During practice we had been watching their guards pull each week, and I saw it go,” Szudarski said. “I saw the quarterback, and he didn’t see me coming, so I put my helmet right in his back. Hit him hard.”

“I just wanted to make sure I had it,” Whalen said. “I didn’t want it to slip away.”

Marian junior quarterback Benjamin Krol came out throwing in the first half, completing 11 of 26 passes for 156 yards.

“We came out trying to establish the throw, because in previous games we were running,” Krol said. “Defense played awesome, the line played awesome. We just came out and executed.”

Marian scored first late in the first quarter when Szudarski, playing wide receiver, recovered a fumble by Marian running back Corey Cavitt in the end zone for a 7-0 lead.

The Spartans answered when O’Donnell hit senior Mark Schmitt for a 59-yard touchdown pass as time expired in the first quarter. St. Francis failed on a two-point conversion try.

St. Francis, known for its running game, was held to 24 rushing yards in the second half.

“We wanted to stuff ’em,” Whalen said. “We wanted to stuff ’em and establish our rush game.”

Marian Central stops St. Francis offense

St. Francis had averaged 52.3 points in its three previous games, but the Spartans' attack stalled Friday night at Marian Central.

A physical Marian Central contained the Spartans' ground attack for much of the game, but St. Francis only trailed 7-6 midway through the fourth quarter.

But blitzing Hurricanes cornerback Adam Szudarski jarred the ball loose on a sack, with Marian Central's Gregory Whalen recovering the fumble in the end zone, increasing its lead to 14-6 with 6:22 remaining.

Marian Central (5-2, 3-1) then withstood a one final score by St. Francis (5-2, 1-2) denying the 2-point conversion with 26.8 seconds remaining and hanging on to a 14-12 Suburban Christian Blue victory in Woodstock.

"They really shut us down," said St. Francis coach Greg Purnell of the Hurricanes defense that held the Spartans to 78 yards rushing. "We were able to move the ball with just a minute and a half to go."

Szudarski scored the first touchdown off a Hurricanes fumble in the first quarter, and the senior was in the right place the second score.

"I knew I hit him hard and popped the ball out," said Szudarski of his game-changing play. "We knew we had to make a stop."

St. Francis quarterback Collin O'Donnell found Mark Schmitt for a 59-yard touchdown pass as time ran out in the first quarter to narrow the Spartans' deficit to 7-6.

But both defenses hunkered down for the next two quarters.

St. Francis allowed Marian Central quarterback Ben Krol to pass for 162 yards in the first half, but the Spartans defense only allowed 13 passing yards in the second half.

Jack Porter and Vince Perry both came up with key sacks in the third quarter and the Spartans defense denied the Hurricanes offense at the 2-yard line early in the fourth quarter.

"We adjusted to the pass after halftime," said linebacker Colin Marshall, who contributed a sack in the first half. "We came out and played hard nose football."

Jake Butler took over at quarterback for St. Francis late in the fourth quarter and found Dave Spahn for a 46-yard completion, which led to a 12-yard score by same pair. But the Spartans were denied on the ensuing run for the 2-point conversion.

"Our defense played well all night," Purnell added. "It was a tremendous effort by our defense, now we have to improve by next Friday."

Defense keeps MC on top

James Militello Marian Central's Ben Krol hands off to Corey Cavitt in the third quarter of the 'Canes' 14-12 victory over St. Francis.

For the third week in a row, Marian Central pulled off a victory late in the fourth quarter against tough competition. Friday, that late-game stand was enough to officially clinch a playoff spot for the Hurricanes.

When they faced off against St. Francis last season, a 28-24 loss to the Spartans closed the door on Marian Central's postseason hopes. But this season's 14-12 victory tied up a playoff berth for the 'Canes, who moved to 5-2 overall and 4-1 in the Suburban Christian Conference. Technically, the 'Canes knew they were ensured a playoff spot after last week's win, although it was only their fourth victory of the season. Their week-nine game is a forfeit by Driscoll Catholic because the former SCC school closed at the end of the last school year.

This week's game, a closely played match between conference rivals, came down to a defensive stand by Marian Central with 26.8 seconds left in regulation. Down by two points after a late touchdown pass, the Spartans opted to attempt a two-point conversion, but the Hurricanes defense stood strong, keeping St. Francis out of the end zone and wrapping up a 14-12 win.

"This was a big game," Hurricanes coach Ed Brucker said after the win. "We've won three tough games in a row, and we're learning how to win."

Muddy conditions hampered both teams' running attacks, with the first points coming late in the first quarter on a touchdown run by Marian Central junior Corey Cavitt that was fumbled in the end zone, only to be recovered by the Hurricanes' own Adam Szudarski. Later, a 59-yard touchdown pass by Spartans quarterback Colin O'Donnell to Mark Schmitt made the score 7-6 after a failed two-point conversion, a score that would hold for much of the game.

But in the fourth quarter, the stagnant 'Canes offense was reignited when Szudarski put a hard hit on the Spartans' O'Donnell, who fumbled the ball into the end zone. The fumble was recovered by Marian Central senior Gregg Whalen for a touchdown, making the score 14-6.

"We needed a stop," Szudarski said of the game-changing play. "We needed this game."

St. Francis, however, wasn't quite ready to concede, and, with less than a minute left, the Spartans scored again and Marian Central found itself up by only two, defending the end zone against a fateful two-point conversion attempt.

It was no good, and, when the 'Canes managed to recover the ensuing onside kick one play later to end the game, Marian Central players and fans alike breathed a sigh of relief.

"It's a perfect time to come together as we're making a playoff run," Szudarski said.

Hurricanes quarterback Ben Krol went 12-for-24 for 151 yards and one interception. Krol's go-to target was junior C.J. Price, who had seven catches for 85 yards. The Hurricanes' running game picked up 104 total yards, led by Cavitt, who had 88 yards on 22 carries. Marian Central's defense held the Spartans' running game to just 24 yards in the second half.

Not including the week-nine forfeit, the 'Canes have one more game before the start of the playoffs.

They travel to Elgin to take on the St. Edward Green Wave, where Marian Central will be playing for the possibility of hosting a week-one playoff game. .

"St. Edward is a good team, and they're no fluke," said Brucker. "We're going to have to get ready (for them)."

Marian Central senior John Hussey agreed.

"These last three weeks have been redemption games for us," Hussey said after the game. "We have to win against St. Ed's for the possibility to have one more home game this year."

 Marian Central humbles St. Edward

St. Edward football coach Mike Rolando knows exactly where his team stands after 8 weeks of football.

"It's win or go home next Friday," the Green Wave coach said as his team was handed a 48-7 defeat by Marian Central at Greg True Field in Elgin in a Suburban Christian Conference crossover Friday night.

The coach only echoed the fan chatter, which turned from excitement as St. Edward (5-3, 2-2) opened the game to counting playoff points as the Hurricanes (6-3, 3-1) mounted a 35-0 lead at halftime.

The Green Wave faces Wheaton Academy, a team they have never played before, in Elgin next Friday in what amounts to a playoff game for the Wave, who likely will not have enough points to get in the postseason at 5-4.

And St. Edward knows it needs to bounce back from Friday night.

"We can definitely come out and play," said Green Wave receiver Zack Von Ahnen, who caught 5 passes for 46 yards. "We have heart."

St. Edward quarterback Ben Lehman hooked up with Von Ahnen on an 8-yard route early in the second quarter. Marian Central linebacker Jared Koch popped the ball out of Von Ahnen's hands and right into those of teammate Andrew Stone.

Stone ran the ball back 32-yards for a touchdown to put Marian Central ahead 28-0 with 9:12 left in the first half. St. Edward did manage to bounce back and set up a first-and-goal from the Hurricanes' 5-yard line in the final minute of the first half.

The Green Wave only picked up a yard on 3 plays before an offside penalty moved them back 5 yards. Lehman threw an incomplete pass to Von Ahnen and St. Edward turned the ball over on downs.

In the running-clock second half, the Green Wave again had a first-and-goal on the 3, but Lehman was intercepted by Kevin Bussey, who ran the ball 102 yards for a touchdown.

St. Edward did score when Lehman hooked up with Sam Pozezinski on a 9-yard pass with 9:40 left in the game.

Marian Central got 2 touchdown passes from Ben Krol, 2 scoring runs from Corey Cavitt (2, 41) and a 67-yard touchdown from Koch.

"Tonight, everything was our weakness," Rolando said. "We couldn't stop the run. We couldn't stop the pass. We couldn't play special teams. We're not this bad of a team."

Hurricanes steam toward playoffs

ELGIN – Talk about finishing on a high note.

Marian Central scored on its first play from scrimmage and revisited the end zone six more times in a 48-7 win Friday at St. Edward. The Hurricanes defense forced two turnovers for touchdowns and running back Corey Cavitt rushed for two more as Marian forced a running clock less than two minutes into the second half.

“We made a statement out there,” Cavitt said.

The Hurricanes (6-2) will receive a week off as they await a Class 5A playoff pairing. Marian will earn its seventh win by forfeit next week against Driscoll, which closed at the end of the 2008-09 school year. They would share the Suburban Christian Conference Blue Division title if Marmion loses its game against Montini next week.

“This was a big game,” Marian coach Ed Brucker said. “We knew we were in the playoffs with our forfeit next week, but we wanted to get a home game.”

Nothing is promised, but Marian helped its cause with the SCC crossover win against St. Edward (5-3). After the Hurricanes defense forced a three-and-out to start the game, Marian quarterback Ben Krol arched a play-action pass to Andrew Stone for a 57-yard touchdown on a one-play scoring drive.

 “We saw on their film that we could pass,” said Krol, who passed for 109 yards and two touchdowns in the first half. “We tried to go big or go home on the first play.”

Cavitt added 106 rushing yards and two touchdowns as part of a balanced attack.

“The line blocked great tonight,” Cavitt said. “They had their guys 10 yards back every run.”

On defense, the Hurricanes were characteristically stout. Stone intercepted a pass at the Green Wave 41-yard line to set up Cavitt’s second touchdown, and linebacker Jared Koch forced a fumble on St. Edward’s next possession with a bone-crunching hit on Zack Von Ahnen.

“I wanted to get a hit on him all week,” Koch said.

Stone was in perfect position as the ball popped out. He snagged it out of the air and raced 43 yards for a touchdown to make it 28-0 with 9:12 to go before halftime.

By that point, the main question was when the running clock would start.

After the win, Brucker rewarded his players with a day off from practice Monday.

“It’s a crap shoot from here on out,” Brucker said. “We’ve got to see who we play and just get ready. But we’ve been playing better and better every week.”

MC builds momentum against St. Ed's

 

With a spot in the IHSA Class 5A playoffs already in the books, the Marian Central varsity football team found itself playing Friday for home-field advantage in the post-season -- and for some momentum heading into the first round.

They earned both.

With an impressive 48-7 victory over Suburban Christian Conference rival St. Edward, the Hurricanes locked up a first-round home game going into the playoffs.

"We'll have our fans there, and everyone isn't going to want to lose on our field," Marian Central junior quarterback Ben Krol said after the win, which started on a high note for the 'Canes.

Marian Central scored first on a touchdown from Krol to junior Andrew Stone, and by the end of the second quarter, the 'Canes had added four more TDs to go into the locker room leading 35-0.

Equally impressive was the Hurricanes defense, which shut out the Green Wave until the fourth quarter. A Kevin Bussey interception returned for a touchdown added to the lopsided victory.

"It was the icing on the cake for us," Bussey said of his interception. "We played really hard today and we seem to be getting better and better."

The Hurricanes (6-2 overall, 5-1 SCC) have a bye week this week because of a forfeit by Driscoll Catholic, which closed at the end of the last school year. The 'Canes view this as an advantage.

"I'm going to continue to work hard and keep the team focused," said 'Canes running back Corey Cavitt.

Bye week’ could give big boost to Marian

Marian Central will experience what it’s like to be an NFL team with a first-round playoff bye this week.

The Hurricanes are in the unique position of having no game Friday – they will receive a forfeit from Driscoll, which closed in June – and instead can use the week to get some injured players healthier and work on things other than the usual game preparation.

Marian will finish 7-2 and have about 40 playoff points (opponents’ victories), so the Hurricanes could receive a home game in the north bracket of the IHSA Class 5A playoffs when pairings are announced Saturday night.

“I’ve never had to do this before,” Marian coach Ed Brucker said. “We gave them Monday off, then we’ll work on fundamentals and try to improve. We’ve been playing really well, so you’d like to keep going hard, but you don’t want to get anybody hurt.”

The week off might be beneficial to the Hurricanes regarding injuries. Center-defensive tackle Will Hass (knee) and wide receiver-linebacker Ryan Szudarski (arm) both should return for the playoffs. Running back-linebacker Jared Koch, who hasn’t missed games but has been nagged by a sprained ankle, should get better with a week off.

“Jared’s been gutting it out,” Brucker said. “We can let him sit out [some practices], and it’ll be nice with him not getting rolled on this week. We thought we’d have Will back Friday [a 48-7 win against St. Edward].”

Hass (6-foot-3, 240 pounds) suffered a partially torn left MCL in the Hurricanes’ 47-0 loss to Cary-Grove in Week 2. He did not require surgery and now is ready to play.

Szudarski (6-2, 200) suffered a broken right arm on the first day of contact drills in August and had hoped he might heal in time for the playoffs.

“Ryan wore a cast last year and caught the ball pretty well,” Brucker said. “On offense, we definitely could use him to help our passing game.”

Brucker said his staff might consider scouting games Friday since the ’Canes have the night off.
“We have a couple spots, but I’m not going to make a big deal about it because we get a lot of video [with the IHSA playoff arrangements],” Brucker said.

The Hurricanes have a chance to share the SCC Blue Division title with Marmion Academy, a team they lost to in week four, if the Cadets fall to Montini this week.

 Hurricanes blow away Bucs

Marian Central head coach Ed Brucker -- a legend in Woodstock sports -- had concerns going into the first round of the IHSA Class 5A playoffs against the Belvidere Buccaneers Friday night at George Harding Field. The fourth-seeded Hurricanes (8-2) did not play last week with the closing of Driscoll High School.

"I was worried about the condition of the field and our bye week," said Brucker. "The kids really handled both situations very well. In fact, we probably caught a break with the layoff because we had about 15 kids sick with the flu last week. But we came out fired up."

And they stayed that way. The Hurricanes completely dominated the 12-seeded Bucs (5-5) by a score of 42-6.

Frankly, the field was a disaster. Within minutes, the players were covered in mud, and even trying to read the numbers on their jerseys became very difficult. Still, it seemed the 'Canes clearly felt more "at home" playing in the mud than the Bucs did.

While Belvidere (5-5) managed only one first down all night, the 'Canes simply ran at will around and through the Buccaneer defense.

If Corey Cavitt was a racehorse, he would be described as a "mudder," a horse that runs well in the mud. But, he is not, so call him a junior running back from Marian Central who ran wild in a quagmire of a playing field gaining 147 yards in 15 carries while scoring five touchdowns -- all in the first half.

"That is the most touchdowns I've ever scored in one game," said Cavitt. "But our offensive line was doing such a great job pushing the defensive line off the ball. I wasn't even touched most of the time until I was 10 yards down the field."

"The offensive line did a great job," Brucker added. "They opened up huge holes for Corey, and he made some great moves."

The 'Canes' other touchdown was scored by Jared Koch, a bruising fullback who bulldozed it in from 2 yards out with 5:32 left in the first half. Although Koch gained a remarkable 58 yards in the first half, his main contribution Friday night was throwing crushing blocks on defenders as lead blocker for Cavitt. "Corey always does a great job running the football," Koch said. "As a lead blocker, I just try to hit someone and hold them up and Corey takes care of the rest -- we make a great combo."

Most of the first half was played deep in Belvidere territory. Only one time did Marian Central start a drive on their side of the 50-yard line -- and, that drive started on their own 43-yard line.

Meanwhile, Belvidere employed a "no huddle offense" that produced no offense. The Bucs started one drive at the 'Canes 25-yard line after a long kick-off return in the second quarter. The short drive ended when senior linebacker Zach Benkert intercepted a fourth down pass attempt from the 14-yard line and ran it back to the 34-yard line.

The staunch 'Canes defense was immovable. There were very few plays run by Belvidere for positive yardage. Senior defensive end Greg Whalen spent most of the first half in the Belvidere backfield tackling ball carriers for significant losses. The first half ended with the 'Canes leading 42-0.

The second half was played with a running clock and clean uniforms, meaning both coaches played second and third unit players to give them playoff experience.

The 'Canes travel to Lombard to play Suburban Christian Conference rival Montini at 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7. Earlier in the year, Marian Central beat Montini 20-14 in overtime.

 

Mud can’t slow ’Canes, Cavitt

WOODSTOCK – A week without a game seemed to leave Marian Central running back Corey Cavitt starving for the end zone.

The shifty junior ran for five touchdowns in the first half of the Hurricanes’ 42-6 victory against Belvidere on Friday night in the first round of the IHSA Class 5A playoffs. Cavitt finished with a game-high 147 yards on 15 carries.

“It all started with the big push from the offensive line,” Cavitt said. “They drove the defense back and I was able to find the open field.”

Cavitt and the rest of the fourth-seeded Hurricanes did not play last week, receiving a forfeit from Driscoll. Hurricanes coach Ed Brucker said he was proud of his players for not letting the weeklong layoff and other distractions affect their performance against No. 13 Belvidere.

“I was a little concerned we would lose focus,” Brucker said. “We didn’t get to play last week and we had some trouble finding a field to practice on. On top of that, we had 15 players get sick, but we came out fired up. The offensive line did great a job – they opened up huge holes for Corey and he made some great moves.”

Keeping his footing on a muddy field that looked like chocolate pudding, Cavitt sparked the offense with huge gains on off-tackle runs. Cavitt made explosive cuts in and out of groups of slipping and sliding Belvidere defenders and led the Hurricanes to a 42-0 lead going into halftime.

Cavitt’s 43-yard touchdown run with 9:01 in the first quarter gave the ’Canes a 6-0 lead, and Marian (8-2) kept its rushing offense rolling throughout the game. Cavitt and running back Jared Koch combined for 205 yards for Marian in the first half.

Koch took on defensive linemen and linebackers as a lead blocker for Cavitt, and punched the ball in at the goal line, giving Marian a 35-0 lead with 5:32 left in the second quarter.

“Corey always does a great job running the football,” Koch said. “As a lead blocker, I just try to hit someone and hold them up and Corey takes care of the rest – we make a great combo.”

Marian’s smothering defense
made it impossible for Belvidere (5-5) to stay in the game.

The Buccaneers’ offense passed midfield only twice and was shut down several times deep in their own territory.

The poor field conditions contributed to two lost fumbles by Belvidere running backs, as well.

Marian, Montini to go at it again

Beating a team with Montini’s tradition, twice in one season on its home field, seems like a monumental task.

Marian Central senior John Hussey prefers to view it as an opportunity.

“I’m excited for the chance to go in and beat someone on their own field,” said Hussey, an offensive guard and defensive end. “Especially Montini.”

The Hurricanes (8-2) travel to Lombard to meet Montini (6-4) in an IHSA Class 5A second-round football playoff Saturday. Marian coach Ed Brucker said game time would be 1 or 1:30 p.m. Marian won the Suburban Christian Conference Blue Division meeting in Week 6, 20-14, in overtime. Now, for the fourth time since 2004, there will be a postseason rematch.

“I’d rather be playing somebody else,” Brucker said. “It’s tough to win twice on someone else’s field. We barely managed the first one. They’re probably our biggest rival [in the SCC]. They’ve always been up there and we’ve had some classic games.”

Five of the past six regular-season games have been decided by one score. The Broncos knocked Marian out of the Class 4A playoffs in 2004, but the Hurricanes got Montini in 2006 (24-0) and 2007 (29-15). In 2007, quarterback Jon Budmayr missed the regular-season game, a 33-0 Montini win in Woodstock, with an injury. Budmayr came back with a big day in the playoff victory.

This season’s first game ended in dramatic fashion. Marian fell behind, 14-0, but pitched a second-half shutout, tied the score and won in overtime. Defensive back Andrew Stone pried the ball from Montini’s Christian Westerkamp’s hands in the end zone and linebacker Jared Koch intercepted it to end the game.

“That win was rough,” Hurricanes running back Corey Cavitt said. “They were beating us up pretty good in the beginning. We’ve gotten a lot better since that win.

It carried a lot of momentum for us. Once that happened, our team realized we could make it far if we worked together as a team.”

Marian won its last four regular-season games before picking up a forfeit victory in Week 9 from Driscoll. The Hurricanes rolled past Belvidere, 42-6, Friday night behind Cavitt’s five-touchdown performance. Montini defeated St. Francis, 28-3, Saturday in their first-round game.

Marian got a boost from tight end Ryan Szudarski and defensive tackle Will Hass, who each returned to the lineup Friday from injuries. Hass opened the season at center, as well as playing defense, but Brucker said he might only be used on defense.

Hussey remembers the feeling two years ago when, as a sophomore, he saw Budmayr and Co. do a number on the Broncos on their own field. That came one month after the 33-0 shellacking the Hurricanes had taken at home.

“I was up on sideline [with the varsity] for that game,” Hussey said. “I hope it’s not the other way around this time.”

’Canes run game contained

LOMBARD – The Montini football team’s defense played a bit of a magic trick with Marian Central’s offense, and the Hurricanes’ running game was the rabbit in the hat.

It was there one moment, and the next it was gone for good.

The ’Canes took a two-touchdown lead on their first two possessions Saturday at Montini, but the running game that got them the lead quickly disappeared. Meanwhile Montini’s poised offense found its stride and eventually ran away with a 42-21 win in the second round of the IHSA Class 5A playoffs to avenge a regular-season loss to the ’Canes.

“They brought more people up on the line of scrimmage, and we couldn’t handle it, I guess, is what it came down to,” Marian coach Ed Brucker said. “I thought at halftime we could come out and run the ball and we’d come back. We did score, but their receivers were too good today.

“You’ve got to tip your hat to Montini. They have some good runners and some good receivers. It’s hard to combat both.”

’Canes junior running back Corey Cavitt sliced through the Broncos’ defense early. He ran for 70 yards on his first 10 carries and had two touchdowns on 15 carries for 85 yards with 9:04 left in the second quarter when Marian extended its lead to 14-0.

His final 21 carries, however, covered only 48 yards as Marian’s offense went from the luxury of second-and-short situations to dealing with third-and-longs.

Meanwhile, Montini quarterback Brandon Pechloff was finding receivers all over the field. He went 19 for 34 for 235 yards and three touchdowns, two of which evened the score at 14 before halftime.

“I’ve got to tell you, I was pretty worried early in the game,” Montini coach Chris Andriano said. “They were really taking it to us up front. It looked like it was going to be a long day, but the good thing about it was our offense got us back in the game.”

Despite not being able to move the ball for much of the second quarter and all of the second half, Marian kept the game close until 6:51 remained in the fourth quarter.

With Marian trailing by a touchdown, ’Canes quarterback Ben Krol was intercepted by Ryan Gorrell, who returned it 29 yards to extend the lead to 35-21 and all but end Marian’s hopes of a trip to the quarterfinals.

No worries for Montini in win over Marian Central

Trailing by two touchdowns in the second quarter, plenty of Montini football followers had reason to worry, but not quarterback Brandon Pechloff.

The Broncos senior had a feeling his team's offense would come up big in Saturday's Class 5A second-round playoff with Marian Central Catholic (8-3), so he wasn't too concerned about the Hurricanes' 14-0 lead early in the second quarter Saturday afternoon in Lombard.

And after Pechloff was done throwing for 235 yards and 3 touchdowns and his team's defense was done totally shutting down No. 4-seeded Marian Central over the final 21/2 quarters, the 12th-sedeed Broncos (7-4) had a 42-21 victory that avenged a regular-season loss to their conference rivals and also lands them a spot in next week's state quarterfinals against Sycamore.

"I definitely thought we'd win," said Pechloff, who completed 19 of 33 passes, including TD passes of 8 and 6 yards to sophomore wideout Anthony Taylor. "I had a dream last night that we'd score 42 points. I'm not kidding. And our receivers just make plays. If I'm in a tight spot I just put it in there and they make the plays."

Hurricanes coach Ed Brucker, whose school had a 4-1 playoff mark against Montini coming into Saturday's action, agreed with Pechloff that the Broncos' offense does indeed make plays. But it was the Broncos defense, which adjusted after allowing two scores, that played just as big a role in the outcome.

"They brought more people up to the line of scrimmage and we couldn't handle it, I guess," Brucker said, after watching his tailback Corey Cavitt gain 103 yards in the first half but just 17 yards on 11 second-half carries.

With a stout defensive line led by Ross Ferraro III and linebackers Ryan Gorrell and Doug Diedrick charging the line, the Hurricanes were limited to one score over the final 21/2 quarters and it was set up by a fumbled punt return by the Broncos.

But at the same time Montini's offense began to click, with Christian Westerkamp and Taylor each hauling in scoring passes as the hosts drew even at 14-14 at the half. It was 21-all after three quarters before the Broncos broke open the contest with 21 points in the fourth quarter, featuring one touchdown each on offense and defense by Gorrell.

"We made some adjustments and we blitzed a little more which rattled them," said Gorrell, who ran for two scores on Saturday and also iced the victory with a 30-yard interception return in the fourth quarter. "We had a little bit of revenge factor, just like with St. Francis last week. We're the last team left in the conference, so it's kinda like we're the conference champs."

Broncos coach Chris Andriano admitted to being concerned after Cavitt's two TD runs had his squad down 14-0, but he also admitted to knowing that his team's offense can put points on the board in bunches.

"It was 14-0 and they were taking it to us," he said. "I didn't have an answer in our normal defense. We had to go to some gimmicks and go with an eight-man front. They dominated early, but we were able to come back with a lot of big plays."

Jordan Westerkamp had 7 catches for 110 yards, while Nick Campanella, Christian Westerkamp and Taylor also wreaked havoc on the visitors' defense.

"We're a dangerous team and we're playing a lot smarter now," Andriano said. "We're a pretty good first down team and a pretty good third down team. When you do that you've got a chance to put some noise on the scoreboard."

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SCC rival upsets Hurricanes

 

James Militello Marian Central junior Corey Cavitt dives across the end zone Saturday, scoring one of his two touchdowns against Montini in the second round of the IHSA Class 5A playoffs. The Hurricanes lost 42-21.

What began as a two-touchdown lead for the favored Marian Central Hurricanes turned into an upset for Montini Catholic in the second round of the IHSA Class 5A football playoffs as the 12th-seeded Broncos defeated the fourth-seeded Hurricanes 42-21 in Lombard, ending the 'Canes' postseason run.

The Hurricanes (8-3) controlled the game for most of the first half, scoring on both of their first two possessions as 'Canes running back Corey Cavitt sliced through the Broncos' defense, running for 70 yards and two touchdowns on his first 10 carries. But momentum started to shift to Montini in the second quarter, when Broncos quarterback Brandon Pechloff threw for two TDs to even the score at 14. Pechloff would go on to throw for 235 yards.

"I've got to tell you, I was pretty worried early in the game," Montini coach Chris Andriano said following his team's victory. "It looked like it was going to be a long day, but the good thing about it was our offense got us back in the game."

"You've got to tip your hat to Montini," said Marian Central coach Ed Brucker. "They have some good runners and some good receivers. It's hard to combat both."

Brucker, whose team had a 4-1 playoff mark against Suburban Catholic Conference rival Montini coming into Saturday's action, felt it was the Broncos' defense, which adjusted after allowing two scores, that played a big role in the outcome. Cavitt, for instance, gained 103 yards in the first half but just 17 yards on 11 second-half carries.

"They brought more people up to the line of scrimmage and we couldn't handle it, I guess," Brucker said.

The 'Canes' only score in the second half came after a fumbled punt recovery. Ben Krol threw a screen pass to junior running back Jared Koch for the touchdown.

The Koch reception tied the score at 21-21 after three quarters, but the Broncos went on to break open the contest with 21 points in the fourth. They scored two offensive touchdowns and returned one interception 30 yards for a score.

"I thought both teams played well today," Brucker said. "We had a great start. They just played better