Jacob Bottarini is blessed with a “get busy” approach to his game and life.
That’s why it’s not surprising the fits and starts of an abbreviated spring for Marmion didn’t sit well with the senior middle linebacker, who returns this fall for his third season as a varsity starter at the position.
“He’s a great kid with an extreme work ethic who’s extremely into football,” Cadets coach Dan Thorpe said. “Nobody watches more film. And he has the toughness of an old school football player.”
Marmion (2-1) was limited to just three of its six scheduled games in a truncated spring season delayed by the coronavirus pandemic.
Due to cancellations, the Cadets never played two weeks in a row.
“It was so chaotic,” Bottarini said. “Preparing a whole week and then in one day, it’s all gone. There really wasn’t any rhythm to it. Practice plans would suddenly change because it’s a new opponent.”
Experience dealing with adversity should help Bottarini, who leads a Marmion defense featuring eight returning starters in what he hopes will be a more normal season.
During the previous spring, even with many activities shut down, he was still able to hit the weights hard, utilizing a gym he and his dad put together in the garage with mostly donated equipment.
“Every day revolved around lifting, before and after Zoom classes,” Bottarini said. “That’s all I’d do. It was all the entertainment you had.”
The 5-foot-11, 210-pound Bottarini increased the personal maximum on each of his lifts by 100 pounds or more.
“We got lucky getting the equipment and it was the perfect storm,” he said.
Bottarini confirmed it has helped his game.
“I think my biggest strength is I can play sideline to sideline,” he said. “In the run game, I can cover somebody going outside and I can still play in the box.”
Bottarini, who made visits this summer to Bucknell, Holy Cross, Richmond and a couple of Ivy League schools that responded to his inquiries, hopes it will take him to the next level.
“He’s a smart kid and he’s looking at some excellent schools,” Thorpe said. “He’ll be able to handle it physically and mentally.”
Most college programs, however, want to see more of him.
“For a lot of schools, it comes down to your senior year at this point because we only had three games,” Bottarini said. “They have to see some more stuff.”
They will get to see him against good competition, with Montini, Marist and Fenwick on a Marmion schedule that features six of nine games at home.
“I’ve talked with my dad about playing the top dogs in the (Catholic League) and we finally get our wish,” Bottarini said. “And with this many home games? That’s great.”
Three starters on the line in the Cadets’ 4-3 defense also return, led by fellow three-year starter Jerred Durian, a 6-foot-2, 300-pound tackle. He will be joined by returning junior starters in 6-6, 235-pound Ivan Erickson and 6-2, 245-pound Sean Scheck.
“We haven’t returned this many big guys in a while, so that’s great to have,” Bottarini said. “I’ve played with Jerred since freshman year. Having someone big like that in front of you, you can’t beat that.”
All four secondary starters, led by all-conference selection Anthony Kuceba, also are back. Two juniors and a sophomore are battling to be the new starters at outside linebacker, flanking Bottarini.
Bottarini said he has emphasized film study for them as well.
“You’re gifted with technology, something they didn’t have back in the day,” Bottarini said. “You can pull up video on your iPad.
“It’s as easy as can be, and you know what you’re going to be facing, what plays you’re going to have coming against you. Might as well take advantage of it.”
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Team: Marmion.
Spring record: 2-1.
Offensive leaders: Jackson Burroughs, senior, WR; Danny Chung, senior, QB; Matthew Harris, senior, OL; Dane Pardridge, senior, WR.
Defensive leaders: Jacob Bottarini, senior, LB; Jerred Durian, senior, DT; Ivan Erickson, junior, DE; Anthony Kuceba, senior, DB.
Playoff history: Seventeen appearances overall. Aiming for fourth in six years.