Marshals earn playoff spot in 42-35 win over Apollo

Tristen Prange, pictured here against Christian County, led the Marshals in receiving at Apollo with 5 catches for 128 yards and 2 touchdowns.
Tristen Prange, pictured here against Christian County, led the Marshals in receiving at Apollo with 5 catches for 128 yards and 2 touchdowns.

OWENSBORO – The Marshals traveled to Owensboro Friday to play Apollo with a 5A District playoff berth at stake for both teams. In a game that looked like it would come down to who had the last possession, the Marshals leading 42-35, were able to stop the Eagles on 4th down with a minute and a half to go, to earn a spot in the playoffs for the first time in five years, their first must-win game to advance for the first time in a decade.

“We knew these days could happen, it was just a matter of being persistent in what we’re doing”, Head Coach Evan Merrick said. “You see how they’re celebrating and enjoying this night – they’ve worked hard for it. I’m proud of all of them. This has been two years in the making and we’re not done.”

Cameron Thurman led the Marshals in tackles against Apollo with 7 solo and 5 assisted.
Cameron Thurman led the Marshals in tackles against Apollo with 7 solo and 5 assisted.

Pressure from the Marshall defense and two straight sacks on Apollo quarterback Branden Alexander by Cameron Thurman and Grant Johnson stopped the Eagles in their tracks on their first three plays.

The Marshals began their first series from Apollo’s 34 yard line, traveling down to the 11 and attempting a 28 yard field goal that was no good. Apollo took advantage and went 78 yards, scoring on a three yard run by Alexander to lead 7-0.

The Marshals began the second quarter on a pass from Skyler Smith to a wide-open Lucas Forsythe for a 33 yard touchdown, not getting the extra point to trail Apollo 7-6.

Austin Riley intercepted Alexander on Apollo’s next offensive series to give the Marshals the ball back near midfield but they would have to punt, giving the Eagles the ball at their own 30 but the Marshall defense would rise to the occasion again and get the ball back on downs at their own 35.

Marshall County took the lead on a 25 yard touchdown run by Mason Green and two-point conversion to lead 14-7 but Apollo would score on a 32 yard touchdown run by Alexander to tie 14-14 at halftime.

With the opening possession of the second half, Apollo recovered a Marshall fumble at the 20 yard line, going on to score on a seven yard run by Alexander to go up 21-14. The Marshals would answer and tie the game 21-21 on a 16 yard pass completion to Grant Utley on a drive highlighted by a 23 yard gain by Green and 25 yard gain by Riley.

Both teams put another touchdown on the board in the third quarter, Apollo on a 40 yard touchdown pass from Alexander to Gatlin Humphrey and a 49 yard touchdown completion from Smith to Tristen Prange to end the quarter tied 28-28.

Apollo, going for it on 4th and 5 in the fourth quarter, scored on a 40 yard run by Alexander to go up 35-28 and the Marshals would answer, tying again on a 55 yard touchdown from Smith to Prange.

With 5:28 remaining in the game from the 16 yard line, Utley’s reception from Smith took the Marshals to the one yard line where Brandon Ray took the ball over the line, the point after was added by Gardner, for a 42-35 lead.

Apollo threatened to score on their final offensive series, getting a first down on 4th and 1 and again on 4th and 20, completing a pass to Sam Parm to pick up the first down at the Marshall 28 yard line. With post-season play on the line, Riley disrupted a long pass play and another Alexander pass fell incomplete, turning the ball over to the Marshals who ran the clock out.

Green had another big night on the ground, gaining 205 yards on 26 carries and scoring 1 touchdown. Smith threw for 233 yards on 13 of 21 attempts with four passing touchdowns with Prange as the leading receiver who caught 5 for 128 yards and 2 touchdowns. Marshall County moves their season record to 5-4.

They will play at #2 Bowling Green on November 4th at 7:30 in the first round of the 5A state playoffs.

The Marshals will play their final regular season game at home on Friday against Hopkinsville and will celebrate Senior Night.

Game Stats
Rushing: Marshall 236, Apollo 194
Passing: Marshall 233, Apollo 159
Marshall: Green 26/205, 1 TD; Riley 3/27
Apollo: Alexander 20/104, 4 TDs
Passing
Marshall: Smith 13/21 233 yds. 4 TDs
Apollo: Alexander 12/25 163 yds. 1 TD, 1 Int.
Receiving
Marshall: Prange 5/128, 2 TDs; Utley 6/62, 1 TD; Forsythe 1/33, 1 TD
Apollo: Peters 4/60; Humphrey 2/53
Tackles
Marshall: Thurman 12, Johnson 10