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Marmion Cadets
2-Minute Drill
Coach: Dan Thorpe (61-41, 11th season)
2014 record: 6-4 overall, 2-2 Chicago Catholic League Green. Lost, 21-20, to DeKalb in first round of 6A playoffs.
Fast fact: Per usual, the Cadets' roster includes several legacies, but nary a Glasgow brother this season.
Special teams spotlight: Placekicker Connor Hoeft, of Sugar Grove, converted each of his 25 point-after touchdown attempts last season and had a long field goal of 36 yards.
Bottom line: Marmion's ability to develop its depth and strong line rotations will be a constant litmus test, especially against conference foes Montini and Fenwick, who traditionally boast larger turnouts. Quarterback Johnny Tate provides durability as a thrower and runner and will help diversify the attack.
Training table: Thorpe, a seasoned coach with more than three decades of experience in multiple states, will work alongside trainer Ryan Lee for the first time. "You've definitely got to get on the same philosophy," Thorpe said. "But whatever he says, you know."
BREAKDOWN
The Cadets beam about the possibilities ahead of them this season, but considering the program's recent bout with staying healthy, the optimism comes with a brief side note.
"We're a young team, but I think we can push through," senior two-way lineman Jeremy Daum said. "As long as we've got a little bit of favor on our side without injuries, I think we'll be good this year."
Established at a number of skill positions – namely a pair of St. Charles-bred seniors in quarterback Johnny Tate and safety/running back Cole Bonebrake – Marmion is hoping its reserves and rotations will develop quickly.
Again, size on the offensive and defensive lines remains a constant.
"We've developed a program where expectations are high, and that's great," coach Dan Thorpe said. "I mean, we're 280, 280, 255, (6-foot-4) quarterback. You know, we've got athletes, which is exciting. Defensively, we'll run to the ball. … We've got a tremendous kicker (Connor Hoeft). … So we've got everything covered, it's just the depth is what's going to be (key)."
Nicolas Auriemma, Eli Baltazar, Jett Haas and Nick Sevenich also will get carries, but with a shifty set of perimeter playmakers including Myles Schoonover and Ian Valaik in tow, expect to see Tate throwing more from the pocket and on the run.
Defensive lineman Wes Kramer, a 6-2, 255-pound junior, lends bulk to a defensive unit built on speed, but his effort also has been exemplary.
"First one to practice every night. Loves the game, loves to practice," Thorpe said. "Just a great attitude. The way he plays is just very contagious for others, because he hustles. Running around on every play and just has a great heart. We get 11 kids doing that, we'll be fine."
All the better if it's the first 11 listed on the depth chart.
"Our motto is, 'The bus keeps rolling,' " Tate said, "and even with all the injuries, the bus has got to keep rolling. So we've got to keep driving it as seniors."
– Kevin Druley, kdruley@shawmedia.com
2015 schedule
Aug. 28 vs. Plainfield Central, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 5 at Noblesville (Ind.) Guerin, 5 p.m.
Sept. 11 vs. St. Francis, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 18 vs. Providence, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 25 vs. Legal Prep Charter, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 3 at Fenwick, 1 p.m.
Oct. 9 at De La Salle, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 16 vs. Aurora Christian, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 23 vs. Montini, 7 p.m.
Marquee matchup: Oct. 23 vs. Montini. Thorpe sported a T-shirt from the Cadets' 2010 Class 6A state runner-up season to the first day of practice "by design," he said. Facing the perennial state contender Broncos always is a benchmark each season.