Game 3 Football Preview
Marietta Pioneers (2-0, 1-0) at John Carroll Blue Streaks (0-2, 0-1)
6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 25
Don Shula Stadium • University Heights, Ohio

Sept. 23, 2004
MARIETTA, Ohio - When Marietta goes on the road to John Carroll Saturday (Sept. 25), the Pioneers will look to make school history.

Not only is Coach Todd Glaser’s squad looking to go 3-0 for the first time since 1972, but Marietta is also looking for its first-ever victory against John Carroll. The Blue Streaks hold a 15-0-1 advantage over Marietta, with the lone tie coming in 1995.

However, chalking up a 3-0 mark won’t be easy as the Blue Streaks are still considered one of the Ohio Athletic Conference’s top teams. John Carroll was humbled by No. 1 ranked Mount Union last week 55-3, but the Pioneers know the Streaks are better than their record.

Marietta responded last week with a 31-8 romp at Heidelberg, despite the distraction of flooding in the Marietta area and on the MC campus. Junior Steven Wagner (Harwick, Pa./Fox Chapel) was the Pioneers’ offensive standout as he rushed for a career-high 258 yards and two touchdowns.

Sophomore quarterback Jason Vrable (South Park, Pa.) had another solid outing as he completed 13-of-17 passes for 108 yards, but he also rushed for two touchdowns. His main target was senior Mike Valiante (Wadsworth) with seven receptions for 53 yards.

The solid performance was also enhanced by the fact the coaching staff was able to play some younger players. Freshman Shawn Ellies (Wilkinsburg, Pa./Schenley) had 54 yards rushing on 14 carries, while freshman quarterback Jeremy Thornton (Madison, Wis./East Senior) completed 3-of-5 passes for 17 yards.

As impressive as the offensive showing was, Marietta’s defense was even better. The Pioneers held the Student Princes scoreless in the first half and have allowed just 16 points this season.

Sophomore Anthony Huffman (Lowell/Marietta) continues to anchor the defense as an outside linebacker. He had six tackles and two sacks as the Pioneers held Heidelberg to just 68 yards on the ground and 242 total yards for the game.

Thadd Sharrett (Circleville), J.J. Wheeler (Zanesville) and Eric Workman (Vienna, W.Va./Parkersburg) each had six tackles. Pete Hashman (St. Marys, W.Va.) chipped in with two sacks, while Brett Munn (Newbury) picked off his third pass of the season.

Series: This is the 17th meeting between Marietta and John Carroll, which dates back to 1929. The Blue Streaks lead the all-time series 15-0-1. Marietta and John Carroll tied 21-21 in 1995 on a muddy Don Drumm Stadium.

Last meeting: John Carroll won 42-13 at Don Drumm as the Blue Streaks rolled to a 35-6 halftime lead. Marietta’s Chris Sidick returned a kickoff 87 yards in the second quarter for a touchdown. Nathan White completed a 7-yard TD pass to Bryan Adams for Marietta’s other score. Brett Munn led the MC defense with eight tackles.

About the coaches: Marietta’s Todd Glaser (UW-Eau Claire ’93) enters his second season for the Pioneers, after guiding the team to a 2-8 mark last year. He’s already equaled last year’s win total with wins over Dubuque and Heidelberg. He is MC’s 26th coach and has a record of 4-8. Prior to joining Marietta, Glaser was the defensive coordinator at UW-Eau Claire for four seasons. … John Carroll’s Regis Scafe (Case Reserve ’71) is in his sixth season with the Blue Streaks. He has a 40-16 mark and has produced five consecutive winning seasons, including a school record 12 wins in 2002. He was named OAC Coach of the Year in 2002. He has compiled an overall record of 56-50, which includes five seasons at Case Western Reserve.

Noteworthy: Marietta is 2-0 for the first time since 1998 when it opened with wins over Waynesburg (32-15) and Muskingum (35-7). … The Blue Streaks have lost three consecutive games, which includes the final game of the 2003 season, for the first time since 1987. … John Carroll is 12-1 in its last 13 home openers dating back to 1991. … Marietta has not had a 1,000-yard rusher since Nathan Sellers in 2001 (1,025), but junior Steven Wagner is on a pace to 1,480 yards.

On the air: Saturday's game can be heard live on WMOA - AM 1490. The broadcast can also be found online at mariettaonline.com.

Next game: The Pioneers will stay on the road for a third straight week and take on Otterbein in Westerville Saturday (Oct. 2). Kick off is slated for 7 p.m.

Marietta’s probable starters:

Offense
QB      —            16            Jason Vrable
TB       —            20            Steven Wagner
FB       —            44            Corey Jacobs
WR     —            14            Jason Curry
WR     —            82            Mike Valiante
TE       —            80            Bryan Adams
LT       —            66            Gary Snyder
LG       —            60            Jack Simpson
C         —            64            Joe Brennan
RG      —            76            Lance Parrish
RT       —            79            Kellen Dunlap

Defense
DT       —            50          Pete Hashman
NT       —            47          Jason Price
DT       —            94          Jeff Mast
OLB    —            41          Anthony Huffman
ILB      —            11          Chris Sidick
ILB      —            7            Eric Workman
OLB    —            39          Nate Brownrigg
CB      —            25          J. J. Wheeler
CB      —            2            Brett Munn
FS       —            12          Lonnie Meyers
SS       —            9            Anthony Banks