LPI Game Preview: Benet @ Marian Catholic
Benet
The sole loss for the Redwings (4-1) came against the high powered St. Laurence Vikings in week 1. Since their loss to St. Laurence, head coach Pat New and his squad have reeled off 4 straight wins averaging 25 points a game on offense while allowing an average of only 15 on defense. This team is fresh off a 26-21 win over a no joke Nazareth team and look to be locked in. 3 year varsity starting QB Jack Sznajder will be under center for this Redwing offense against Marian Catholic. Benet has a lot of options on the outside in seniors Michael Challenger, C.J. Birk and juniors Jack Eschenback and Nick Keys. 6’3″ 300lb OT Thomas Walsh leads the Redwings offensive line to open holes for RBs Ben Cooney and Marty Dosen. On the other side of the ball, senior Alec McHeachern is a big bodied safety (6’1″ 215) that holds offers from Air Force and Dayton. He will lead this Redwing defense into battle this weekend. Senior OLB Ryan Liszka and junior MLB Devin Petersen are two other talented defenders to watch out for on defense.
Other Players To Watch
John D’Angelo, Connor Reid, Matt Hembrough.
Keys To The Game
Offense: This offense passes a lot so Sznajder will have to build an early rapport with his receivers Challenger, Birk, Eschenback and Keys. If they can succeed through the air early and often I can see the Redwing offense having a lot of success this game.
Defense: Benet’s DBs will have to lock down Marian Catholic’s receivers while LBs Liszka and Petersen must also keep an eye on Marian’s very mobile QB Cam Thomas. Not an easy task as Thomas is a threat through the air and on the ground.
Marian Catholic
Head coach Sean Mele and the Marian Catholic Spartans (1-4) fortunes are almost exactly opposite of Benet. They cruised to an easy 53-16 victory over Urban Prep week 1, but have gone 0-4 since then. Granted, the Spartans have played Marist, St. Patrick and St. Viator since week 1, it is still unfortunate to see a team rattle off 4 straight losses regardless of who they’re playing. The schedule doesn’t get any easier as the Spartans will have their hands full with the Redwings of Benet. Senior QB and Illini commit Cam Thomas leads the Spartan offense this season. Wide receivers Victor Akinyemi and Joe Stith are big play threats on the outside for the Spartans while Christian Simmons will contribute in the ground game for Marian Catholic. Max Kinast and AJ Anderson are returning starters at LB and DB’s Chase Love, Darrwin Perkins and Josh Jones are also players to keep an eye on this game.
Other Players To Watch
Will Crowder
Keys To The Game
Offense: QB Thomas needs to be at the top of his game as there is a lot of talent on the Benet defense. Receivers Akinyemi and Stith need to get open downfield for Thomas to throw the deep ball. If these receivers are covered, Thomas will have to pick up chunks of yards with his feet.
Defense: There are a lot receivers contributing on the Redwing offense so this Spartan secondary must do their best to lock up these receivers. If coach Mele and the Spartans defense can change their looks up front to confuse the Benet OL while containing the Benet passing attack I think they will be in good shape this game.