Marian Catholic Opens Football Season with Convincing Win

By Kevin Kelly

If Marian Catholic plans to travel Route 66 this year, it could be an outstanding season.

Two of the Spartans’ first five snaps on Friday produced 66-yard touchdown runs (Robert Clifton, Tyrice Richie). With a quick 14-0 command to work with, a dominant defense paved the way for a 49-6 nonconference victory over Hyde Park to open the season.

Of the Thunderbirds’ 37 snaps for the night, only 13 plays went for positive yardage, as Marian had five sacks for minus-32 yards.

“We had a couple good reads and defended the run well,” assessed sophomore linebacker Montreal Blade, who spent much of the night in the Hyde Park backfield. “Overall, it was a pretty good game. The defensive line played real good and the linebackers were aggressive. We were a tough defense to face tonight.”

With stingy efforts up front from Addison Klausner, Warren Allen, Matthew McCray and Sage Sopko, the Spartans forced Hyde Park into negative yardage plays on 12 plays. At halftime when Marian took a 35-0 command, the Thunderbirds had minus-23 yards. Hyde Park only got into positive yardage on its final drive of the night against Marian reserves.

Six different Spartans had a hand in the sack attack, including McCray, Klausner, Kyle Taylor, Joshua Woodley, Ryan Cook-Hemp and Warren Allen.

Meanwhile, Shaun Adetunji added an interception for the Spartans, and Blade added a blocked punt to set up Marian at the Hyde Park 4-yard line.

The Marian offense was extremely efficient as well, as the Spartans didn’t punt all night.

Along with a lightning delay, the only thing that stopped the Spartans on Friday were two turnovers and the halftime clock.

Marian also had great balance on offense with four different backfield mates rushing for 58 yards or more.

After the long touchdown runs spotted Marian to the early lead, the Spartans exploded for a 21-0 margin in the second quarter. The lone “long” drive of the night (eight plays, 59 yards) culminated in a 3-yard touchdown run by Deaven Covington. Matthew Taborn’s third of seven conversion kicks gave Marian a 21-0 lead with 9:49 to play in the second quarter when lightning forced an intermission.

The defense earned great field position on the next two possessions, resulting in 4- and 17-yard scoring drives, as quarterback Cameron Thomas scored twice on 4-yard draws.

Marian finished the scoring with tallies on its first two possessions of the second half, as Covington burst into the end zone from 2 yards out and Antonio Albon added a 6-yard rushing score.

The defensive dominance didn’t allow brilliant offensive numbers, but the rushing game was still impressive behind strong offensive line efforts by John Schmitz, Jack Doyle, Michael Gnezda, Grayson Madey and Vincent Magana.

Marian rushed for 297 yards on 33 totes behind the balanced efforts of Clifton (85 yards), Richie (65 yards), Covington (63 yards) and Thomas (58 yards). Richie, who ignited the Spartan punt return game to assist great field position, also pulled in a Thomas aerial for 24 yards.

“It was very important to get off to a good start,” Blade said. “This is a very good note to start the season.”

Up Next: Marian will try to build on the strong start when it visits Shepard on Friday at 7:30 p.m.

Sophomores: Marian opened the campaign with a forfeit victory over the Thunderbirds.