MARATHON -- The opposition's run game proved to be too much for the Marathon High football team to handle, as the Dolphins dropped their season opener, 34-15, to Doral Academy on Friday night.

The Firebirds were able to put together 256 yards of total offense, all coming on the ground attack, and shut down the Dolphins' offense on all but two drives en route to the easy victory. Despite the final score, Marathon was able to keep the game close in the first half until injuries, mistakes and cramps began to take a toll on the short-staffed squad.

"We are so short in the skill positions that, if one kid goes down, it's a domino effect." said Marathon coach Lance Martin. "We had to start shuffling people around. We just have to improve because we are making far too many mistakes and, combined with the injuries, we can't get that far down."

For Marathon, Justin Kornetti went 5 for 19 for 62 yards from the quarterback spot, while teammate Shane Dipaelo was 4 for 7 for 68 yard with a touchdown and two interceptions. On the ground, the Dolphins were only able to amass 14 yards on 13 carries as a team.

Marathon was within striking distance early on, but as the game progressed cramps and fatigue took its toll on the Dolphins, as the second half clock was controlled by Doral.

"I can't explain it," Martin said about his team's muscle problems. "The kids have been drinking water all week. They've been walking around with Gatorade and water jugs. It's not like they are neglecting it. It's just taking the life out of them."

With the Firebirds marching early in the game, the Dolphins stole a bit of momentum on a turnover and cracked the scoreboard first. Coming off a fumble recovered by Kornetti, the quarterback connected on a pair of screen passes that gave Marathon a first and goal. Dipaelo punched home the drive from six yards out and the Dolphins went up 7-0.

Marathon would hold the lead through the first quarter, but Doral's running game slowly chipped away at the Dolphins' defense. On the next drive the Firebirds picked up five first downs en route to an 8-yard touchdown run. With the score tied, Doral continued to run the ball and just before the half the quarterback snuck in for a touchdown on an end round off two play fakes. With the extra point the Firebirds took a 14-7 lead into the break.

In the second half, Doral continued to pound the Dolphins defense on the ground. Four minutes into the third quarter the Firebirds extended their lead when the fullback powered this way into the end zone from 16 yards out. In the fourth quarter, with the Marathon wearing down and cramping once again becoming a factor, Doral punched in a 1-yard score to go up 27-7.

On the ensuing Marathon drive, with Kornetti out of the game, Dipaelo was picked off and the play was returned 43 yards for the touchdown. However, Dipaelo would get his redemption when he connected with Alex Santroy for a 34-yard touchdown and the Dolphins converted the two-point conversion, to cut the lead by the eventual final score.

Marathon is back home next week for a 7:30 kick off.

"We are just not good enough to make mistakes and comeback and win," said Martin. "We just have to get to practice on Monday and work at getting better."

jwcooke@keysnews.com