Hurricanes suffer injuries as offense is shut down

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WOODSTOCK – All of Marian Central’s worst fears were realized at the same time.

The Hurricanes’ offense, so effetive for four weeks without quarterback Jon Budmayr, mustered only one decent drive.

The defense scrambled to slow down Montini’s high-powered offense, with little success.

And, perhaps worst of all, Marian’s thin 23-man varsity roster, took on more injury hits.

It all added up for a long night for the Hurricanes, as the much-anticipated No. 1 vs. No. 2 matchup turned into a one-sided affair. Montini rolled to a 33-0 victory in the crucial Suburban Catholic Conference game at George Harding Field and surely will take Marian’s No. 1 spot in The Associated Press Class 5A rankings.

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“It was very frustrating the way we were playing,” Marian wide receiver-defensive back Jordan Peart said. “We just made a lot of mistakes. We thought we could do more on offense. Montini deserves a lot of credit.”

Marian (6-1 overall, 4-1 SCC) managed only 142 total yards against Montini and suffered its first shutout since Week 8 of 2002, a 27-0 loss to Montini. Marian’s string of 17 consecutive regular-season victories came to an end.

“It was difficult,” Marian lineman Eric Parker said. “We definitely expected to play a lot better. They’re a very good team, but we definitely didn’t play to our potential.”

After Marian stopped the Broncos’ first drive, Montini (7-0, 5-0) scored on six of its next seven possessions. The one time the Broncos were stopped was a missed field goal attempt.

“We’re really a confident team right now,” running back-safety Johnny Borsellino said. “We’re flying high. We knew this was going to be a hard game, but we think the only team that can beat us now is ourselves.”

Borsellino ran 26 yards for Montini’s first touchdown, then threw for another just before halftime on a halfback pass.

“It was an excellent game overall,” Montini coach Chris Andriano said. “We’re really starting to put it together. Our confidence is high. It’s going to be tough to beat us. It’s hard to contain our offense and our defense just keeps getting better.”

Marian quarterback Andy Stochl, who had filled in well for Budmayr, completed 4-of-14 passes for 40 yards and was intercepted three times. After Montini’s first score, the Hurricanes drove to the Broncos’ 9 and were going to attempt a field goal, but Stochl mishandled the snap and his pass fell incomplete. Marian never got close to scoring again.

Sophomore receiver Eli McGuire (knee) and junior guard Cody O’Neill (ankle) both left the field on the trainer’s cart. Two-way lineman Sean Cwynar (groin) missed time on defense and receiver Adam Olson (neck) also left the game.

“They were impressive, but we’re thin,” Hurricanes coach Ed Brucker said. “We didn’t play a good game and they did. Offensively, we didn’t do a whole lot. We have to regroup and come back.”