Curley’s Speed Too Much for Marathon
By Rudy Rodriguez-Chomat
October 18, 2002

            Behind the big play ground attack that amassed over 400 yards, the Curley Knights were able to outlast the Marathon Dolphins 28-7 in a key District 12-1A battle to improve to 7-0 (3-0) on the season and further show its dominance in 1A football in the south.

            Marathon was able to do what no other team has been able to all season to the Knights in the first half. Avoid giving up the big play, but the game is played for four quarters for a reason.

            So what got Curley back on track in the second half after playing an abysmal first half?

            “I told the team they were out hitting us, out working us, and that we could have executed better on our blocks. We had to remind them that they were in a game and that Marathon was a good team, and I guess they just believed it,” Curley head coach Greg Magner said.

            Curley fullback Carlyle Bruno rushed for 190 yards on 12 carries and 2 TDs to lead Curley to victory. His first scored came midway through the 3rd breaking a scoreless game on a designed dive, but wasn't touched as he raced 65 yards to the end zone.

            Running bank Andrew Audelin rushed 18 times for 193 yards and one score, but this game was the Bruno show.

            The Knights, who came in having posted 2 shut outs this season and only allowing 9.3 points per game while scoring 36.1 per game, nearly posted their third shut out on the season as they held the Dolphins scoreless until there was only 2 minutes remaining to make the score 21-7.

            Marathon onside kicked on its next play that was recovered by the Knights. Audelin took the next carry 55 yards to end all hope for the Dolphins.

            Marathon though, behind its huge defensive line was able to stop the Knights running game the entire first half, but as the game wore on, the Dolphins defensive line wore down and Curley was able to spring the big play that makes them so dangerous no matter what point in the game you might be.

            Bruno’s second touchdown though showed the character and the heart of a champion as he ran for a 78-yard touchdown run to give the Knights a 21-0 lead midway through the 4th, one play after he went off the field after vomited on the field.

            “These are the things we talk about; the heart of Carlyle Bruno; it trickles down from the assistant coaches. We have a couple of kids that have some size, but there are a couple of things we can control and that is conditioning and preparation. It just shows the character and the desire of a player like him.”