Scranton Prep’s Pat Marino had plenty to talk about in his Athlete of the Week interview. Here’s a little more, on everything from his team’s defense, the Cavaliers’ upcoming showdown with Abington Heights and being a smaller running back behind a big offensive line.
When your defense is so good, does that relieve some pressure on the offense? We’ve had a couple turnovers this year, and our defense has just been so great getting us the ball back. They’ve been helping us out left and right. Our offense is feeding off our defense right now.
Your team has some big guys on the offensive line. As a 5-foot-5 running back, how does that help you? I told (Times-Tribune staff writer Joby Fawcett) in the preseason that I’ve been getting lost behind (the line). Defenses can’t see me, and then I get out of there really quick. I just get lost behind them. It’s awesome.
Your coach said you’re the first Athlete of the Week from his team during his time at Scranton Prep. It’s actually really special because the game I got it in was Coach Donato’s 151st win, which tied his dad.
Your team has a pretty big game coming up this week against Abington Heights. Biggest game.
What’s your mindset like? We feel good. We feel good about it. No one needs to tell us how big the game is. All the seniors know. Abington’s a rival, obviously. Everybody knows it. We’re just going to come out hot, fast, physical and try to get coach’s 152nd win.
Both teams have good defenses and don’t make too many mistakes. What’s going to be the key? I think turnovers. We have to limit turnovers. We can’t have a fumble. Against Abington, one turnover could decide the game. We might only score once — you never know. I think both defenses will be fighting hard. I think it’s going to come down to turnovers, absolutely.