The Maroons handed the Marshals a 45-14 loss last season and went on to finish 2018 with a record of 10-3, advancing to the second round of the 4A state playoffs. Senior running back Jeriah Hightower, the District 1 Class 4A Cats Pause pre-season player of the year, is their biggest threat and he racked up nearly 250 yards on 25 carries, scoring three touchdowns against the Marshals Friday in Madisonville-North Hopkins 43-6 win. The Maroons, currently ranked #5 in Class 4A, have the majority of their talent from 2018 back this season.
Head Coach Evan Merrick in post-game comments was happy with how his team competed and took chances at times, not giving up the big play and making Madisonville earn the points
The Marshals would open with a nice drive, but facing fourth and nine inside the 10 yard line, attempted a 27 yard field goal by Talon Smothers that was blocked.
Madisonville started their drive from the 23 yard line, getting big gains from Hightower and he would punch into the end zone on a nine yard run, the extra point tacked on by Simen Lind to lead 7-0 at 5:40 in the first quarter.
On their next drive, the Maroons started from their own 48 following a block in the back penalty and would be forced to punt on fourth down. The Marshals began from their own eight yard line but would get nowhere and on the punt, the low snap got past Smothers and rolled through the end zone to give Madisonville a safety and a 9-0 lead to start the second quarter.
Madisonville scored on the following drive on a 35 yard touchdown pass from senior quarterback Hayden Reynolds to senior wide receiver Deljuan Johnson, the extra point attempt good to lead 16-0 at 11:17 in the second quarter.
Madisonville’s next possession ended in a 27 yard field goal by Lind for a 19-0 lead and with just under five minutes to go in the first half, Lind booted a 38 yard field goal to put the Maroons up 22-0.
The Marshals only points in the game came on a 53 yard drive, scoring on a Quinn Smith pass to Ty Buchmeier, the extra point kick no good to trail 22-6. Madisonville’s next drive began from their own 30, set back by penalties that plagued the Maroons in the half, but they would score on a 15 yard run by Hightower to lead 29-6 with just under three minutes until halftime.
Coming out of the half, the Marshall defense held Madisonville and forced a turnover on downs, but an interception of Smith set up the Maroons next touchdown on a quarterback keeper by Reynolds from eight yards out and a 36-6 lead.
Madisonville made it a 43-6 game, scoring on a six yard run by Hightower with 3:57 left in the third quarter.
With penalties racking up for the Maroons to start the fourth quarter, they would turn it over on downs with sophomore Zach Carl in as quarterback, replacing Reynolds. The Marshals started from their own 43 with freshman Parker Gibbs in at quarterback but would punt it away to the Maroons with a running clock in the fourth quarter and that would be the game.
Madisonville had over 400 yards in total offense, most of those on the ground while the Marshals found most of their yards in the air with Smith completing seven of 11 passes for 138 yards.
Marshall County (1-1) will head to Murray High next Friday to play the Tigers (1-1) who picked up, their first win of the season Friday 40-7 over Calloway County.
Game stats:
Total yards: Madisonville 418, Marshall 158
Rushing yards: Madisonville 36/333, Marshall 24/20
Madisonville: Hightower 25/244 (3 TD), Reynolds 7/50 (1 TD)
Marshall: Buchmeier 3/22
Madisonville passing: Reynolds 6/12 (82 yds, 1 TD)
Marshall passing: Smith 7/11 (138 yds, 1 TD)
Marshall receptions: Buchmeier 2/52 (1 TD), Flatt 3/26, Sorrells 1/45, Smith 1/15
Click on the photos below to scroll through more photos from Friday’s home football game with guests from the Youth Football League and cheer clinic participants.
