Marshall County hasn’t beaten Graves County since the 2005 season and breaking that loss streak to the Eagles will have to wait one more year as the Marshals fell Friday at Graves County 40-17.
Senior quarterback Ryan Mathis, junior running back Cody Goatley and senior wide receiver Drew Cooper was a combination that worked well for the Eagles in their total offensive effort of over 430 yards. Mathis was 16 of 25 for 279 yards, his main receiver being Cooper who caught 10 of those passes for almost 200 yards and scored two touchdowns. On the ground, Goatley carried the ball 14 times for nearly 110 yards and scored four touchdowns.
Receiving the opening kick, the Marshals gamble on fourth and two didn’t pay off, turning the ball over on downs setting the Eagles up with great field position at the Marshall County 40 yard line. On their very first play, Mathis connected with Cooper for a 40 yard touchdown and a 7-0 lead following a successful point after attempt by Mathis.
The Marshals would turn the ball over again on downs on their next possession, a drive that was highlighted by a 38 yard pass from Tyler Stokes to Dylan Rayburn. The Eagles scored their second touchdown on a three yard run by Goatley after an 82 yard drive to lead 13-0 after the extra point attempt was blocked.
The Marshals next drive stalled out at the Graves County 27 yard line after Stokes was intercepted near the goal line by Tavis Brown, but the Eagles drive ended and a two-yard punt set the Marshals up in excellent shape and they scored on a 25 yard pass from Stokes to Ty Buchmeier.
The Marshals scored again before halftime on a 69 yard run by Riley, the point after good by Austin Stockdale to lead 14-13. With another chance to get on the board before halftime, the Marshals were unable to get into the end zone and attempted a 32 yard field goal that was no good.
Graves County opened the second half with a 56 yard touchdown pass from Mathis to Cooper to take the lead back at 19-14 after the two-point conversion attempt failed.
The Marshals final points of the game came on a 31 yard field goal by Stockdale at 5:38 in the third quarter.
The Eagles scored three more touchdowns, the first on a 16 yard run by Goatley and the second on a five yard run by Goatley, both in the final five minutes of the third quarter to lead 33-17. Goatley scored the Eagles final touchdown in the fourth quarter from the 14 yard line with two minutes remaining in the game.
Marshall County was led by Riley with 14 carriers for 110 yards in their 161 yard rushing. Buchmeier rushed for 36 yards and Wyatt 13 yards. Stokes was five of 13 in passing for 134 yards, his leading receiver was Rayburn who had three receptions for 98 yards.
The Marshals (3-4) will host Owensboro Friday in their final home game of the season and will celebrate Senior Night.
