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Marmion throttles Aurora Christian

Marmion Academy quarterback Rusty Joyce threw just one pass Friday night, a 40-yard bomb that fell incomplete.

Yet the senior signal caller walked off the field at Aurora Christian sporting one of the widest smiles of any Cadet player after Marmion Academy's crosstown clash with the Eagles.

That's because, with Marmion needing one more win to secure a state playoff berth, the Cadets flawlessly executed their coaches' simple but direct game plan. As the Cadets' offensive line, led by Western Michigan University-bound Luke Juriga, created one hole after another in Aurora Christian's defensive front, Joyce was content to hand off the ball to Marmion's stable of talented running backs, who rumbled for a total of 446 yards and eight touchdowns. Combined with a stingy defensive performance, the Cadets ran away to a 56-0 victory that clinched the school's fourth playoff ticket in the last five years.

“We didn't need to pass tonight, and that's OK with me. I just wanted to get the win,” Joyce said after seven different Marmion runners collaberated to average nearly 16 yards per carry on the night. “It all started with our offensive line. Those guys are so amazing at making huge holes at the line of scrimmage. And our running backs are a terrific unit, too. They were great all night. As the coaches told us this week, it was time for smashmouth football.”

Besides wrapping up a state playoff spot, the Cadets (6-2) received more good news after the game. Montini's win over Fenwick Friday set up a first-place showdown with Marmion on Oct. 24 in Lombard in both schools' first year in the Chicago Catholic League Green Division.

“The playoffs are great, but we have something else that's important to play for first,” Marmion coach Dan Thorpe said. “But I'm proud of how our kids rose up tonight. We knew we have high expectations to meet. Now that we've been going to the playoffs year after year, the expectations for our program every year are the playoffs, and we've been really playing a difficult schedule this year in our first year in a new conference facing some very tough teams. But the guys really stepped up.”

After a mid-season two-game losing streak, Marmion's recipe for success in getting back on its feet has been to play physical football on both sides of the ball. The Cadets overwhelmed the smaller Eagles on Friday from the outset, scoring their first touchdown on six straight running plays, capped by a 10-yard touchdown by 235-pound fullback Lucas Warren 2 1/2 minutes into the game. After Aurora Christian's ensuing 11-play drive ended with an incomplete pass on fourth down, Marmion stretched its lead to 14-0 two plays later when senior tailback Jordan Glasgow sprinted 49 yards to the end zone.

The Eagles (4-4) again marched into Marmion territory before the drive stalled at the Cadet 30, and the hosts suffered a major blow when star quarterback Austin Bray injured his ankle early in the second quarter and did not return. Marmion blew open the game shortly after Bray's injury. Backup tailback Matt Ferraro's 10-yard TD run pushed the Cadets ahead 21-0, and, after Cole Bonebrake intercepted second-string ACHS signal caller Ben Weerts, Glasgow scored again from 24 yards out on a beautiful cutback run for a 28-0 edge. With all momentum on its side, Marmion tacked on a 17-yard quarterback keeper by junior John Tate for a 35-0 halftime advantage.

The Cadets' ground game racked up three more touchdowns in the second half, including a 75-yard dash by Nate Traxler on the first play of the third quarter.

“We had trouble doing just about anything tonight,” Aurora Christian coach David Beebe said. “But give credit to Marmion. They did a good job. I mean, the scoreboard says it all.”

Following a 4-0 start, Aurora Christian is searching for answers after losing its fourth consecutive game as a new member of the formidable Chicago Catholic Green. But the Class 3A state champions still have a shot at an IHSA playoff berth with a senior night victory over Leo on Oct. 24 in Aurora. Aurora Christian's hopes may hinge on getting two key starters healthy. Bray was unable to return to Friday's loss due to a badly sprained ankle, and linebacker Zach Bosek also left the game with an injured ankle. The Eagles' normally potent passing game yielded just 79 yards in the air against Marmion.

“They'll both hopefully be OK,” Beebe said. “They're both tough kids. I know Austin will do everything in his power to play next week ... Next week is the first week of the playoffs for us. That's the way we're approaching it. We need a win over Leo to advance to the next weekend.”

The Eagles played Friday's game with heavy hearts. Wide receiver Ryan Burke's mother, Aimee, passed away on Thursday after battling cancer. Aurora Christian and Marmion's players and coaches gathered at midfield before the game to pray for the Burke family, and hundreds of ACHS fans joined the team on the field in praying for the Burkes again afterwards.

“I appreciated coach Beebe inviting us to join his team beforehand for prayer for their family,” Thorpe said. “My heart goes out to the Burke family and all they're going through.”

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