Friday nights under the lights Mariemont Warriors take the field.  With a huge league game coming this Friday at home against Indian Hill, they will need some support. So far this season the Warriors are off to a great start. They are 3-2 and tied for third in the CHL with a 1-1 record in league games.

     Their first loss came at CHCA in a close one 21 – 17. In all three victories they have scored over 40 points. The team is led by returning varsity seniors.

     Senior captain Chip Stewart says, “We’ve been a young team the past few years, and now we all have a lot of experience.”

     Many of them have started since sophomore year. Much of their success can be attributed to all this experience in the starting lineup.

      Their offensive juggernaut is led by quarterback Eric Nerl (Junior).  This is his first year starting after playing for Junior Varsity last year.  He has taken the starting role in stride.  Nerl is 2^nd in the CHL with 550 yards passing this season.  This past week he won Beacon Orthopaedics Primetime Performer of the Week. 

      Speed kills in football. The warrior backfield proves that point. The backfield is led by a two-headed monster:  junior Griffin Donnelly and senior Jake Griffin. Both running backs average over 150 all-purpose yards a game. Both are first and second in rushing and receiving yards.

     Although Mariemont is clearly a running team, the team still has receivers on the outside making plays. Both seniors, Chip Stewart senior and Timmy Sattergren lead the receiving corps. Their ability on the outside spreads the defense out, and opens up the offense for the Warriors. The offense leaves opposing defenses trying to decide who to focus on. There are many weapons, which makes the offense a huge threat.

     Defense wins championships. The Warrior defense has been playing great so far this season. They are led by a host of seniors: Chase Beach, Alex Utt, and John Sunday. They have all started since sophomore year.

     Sunday leads the Warriors in tackles (46 total) and interceptions (2).

     Alex Utt is second in tackles with 36. Utt, another captain, sets out his expectations as follows, “beat Indian Hill and  playoffs baby.”

     Beach, the final captain, is third in tackles and has one interception.

     The defensive line is bolstered by Aaron Lang and Mikey Wirthlin who are tied with each other for the league lead in sacks with four each. This stout defense has held opponents in check.

      This has been a much better year for Mariemont football than recent past. The team still has many big games on the schedule.

     Wide Receiver Chip Stewart says, “IH is at home, it’s homecoming, and we haven’t beaten them in a long time. Also Madeira is senior night, at home, and they’re probably our biggest rivals. I know there’s some bad blood between a few of the players.” When asked of his expectations Stewart says, “We expect to make the playoffs this year. It would be the first time in a while and a big thing for the program.”

     With the way Mariemont has played so far, a playoff run would not come as a surprise.