LPI Game Preview: Benet @ Marist
Benet
The Redwings of Benet academy (6-1) come into this game on fire reeling off 6 straight wins after losing to a tough St. Laurence team in week 1. Head coach Pat New’s squad has averaged 32 points per game on offense while allowing only 15 points on defense since their week 1 loss to St. Laurence. I had the chance to watch Benet a few weeks ago and I can say first hand that this is a very good team. Senior QB Jack Sznajder is a 3 year starter for the Redwings and that features a lot of receivers in Michael Challenger, C.J. Birk and juniors Jack Eschenback and Nick Keyes. Thomas Walsh is a 6’3″ 300lb OT that anchors the Redwings offensive line to open holes for feature RB Marty Dosen. As for the defense, safety and Air Force offeree Alec McHeachern, senior OLB Ryan Liszka and junior MLB Devin Petersen lead the Benet defense. You know the Redwings are going to come out of the gates strong this game as the winner of this contest will take home the East Suburban Catholic league title.
Other Players To Watch
John D’Angelo, Sean Theisen, Connor Reid, Matt Hembrough.
Keys To The Game
Offense: While Sznajder is an accomplished and solid QB, Dosen is the featured guy in this offense. Against this tough Marist team, I believe the Redwings will come out with a healthy dose of Dosen mixed in with some short and play action passes. If Benet can get Dosen going on the ground thus setting up the pass, the Redwings will have a good day on offense.
Defense: Marist has a lot of weapons on offense so Benet’s DBs will have to lock down Marist’s receivers while LBs Liszka and Petersen must also keep an eye on Marist’s dual threat QB Morgan Taylor.
Marist
Coach Pat Dunne and the Redhawks of Marist are in a very similar spot to the Redwings of Benet by also losing their first contest of the year, but following it up with 6 straight wins. The difference though is that while Benet’s loss came to a good St. Laurence team, Marist’s loss came at the heels of a great Brother Rice team. Comparing losses doesn’t tell the tale of how good a team is, but in Marist’s case, this is indeed a very good team. Marist has, to my knowledge, 8 kids that either have D1 offers or are receiving D1 looks. Junior Morgan Taylor is a dual threat QB that will lead this offense against Benet. Kansas State commit Bill Kuduk and senior Tom O’Mara lead an impressive Marist OL while junior Delonte Harrell leads the rushing attack for this Redhawks team. Junior Turon (TJ) Ivy is a big bodied TE (6’5″ 220 lbs) with good hands and surprising quickness for a kid of his size. He is the the big receiving threat in this Marist offense. On the other side of the ball senior and Yale commit Micah Awodiran is the undisputed leader of the Redhawk defense. Awodiran passed on numerous power 5 offers to receive a Yale education. If that doesn’t say something about a kid’s character then I’m not sure what does. Juniors Gavin McCabe and Elijah Teague are 2 impressive DL receiving D1 looks that will look to wreak havoc on the Benet backfield. Kanas Jayhawk commit Robert Topps is a long (6’2″) and physical CB with natural playmaking ability that leads the Marist secondary.
Other Players To Watch
David Tischina, Robert McKenzie, Matt Finn, Brendan Watson.
Keys To The Game
Offense: This is a very fast Benet defense that can get to the QB in a hurry so Kuduk, O’Mara and the rest of the OL have to give Taylor time to throw. If Taylor has time to throw and look to his receivers then I believe this Marist offense will have success.
Defense: There is so much talent on this defense that they can simply shut down opposing offenses. They’ve given up an average of 8 points during their 6 game win streak. McCabe, Teague and Awodiran have to plug up holes and give Benet RB Dosen no room to run. If they can limit Dosen this game the Redhawks will be in good shape.