District play began for the Marshals Friday at home against McCracken County, just the third time the two teams have played. The Mustangs were coming off a big 45-35 win over Mayfield the Friday before and have won the two previous games over the Marshals in 2013 (49-6) and 2014 (33-7).
The Marshals opening drive went 40 yards, with gains by quarterback Quinn Smith and Dylan Rayburn before the drive stalled out at McCracken’s 35 yard line and they were forced to punt.
McCracken County began from their own 10 yard line and on their second play of the game, senior quarterback Elijah Wheat handed off to Hunter Bradley who took the ball 85 yards for a touchdown, the extra point kick tacked on by Ben Schofield for a 7-0 lead.
From their own 21 yard line, the Marshals put together a 79 yard drive with gains by Quinn Smith, Ty Buchmeier, Riley Smith, Rayburn and Luke Wyatt down to McCracken County’s 35 yard line to end the first quarter. The Marshals picked up a first down on fourth and five on a keeper by Quinn Smith then scored on a 29 yard pass from Smith to Rayburn, the PAT blocked, but they were on the board trailing 7-6.
Starting from their own 34 yard line, the Mustangs second big play of the game came on a pass from Wheat to Franklin Hayes which resulted in a 66 yard touchdown and a 14-6 lead at 8:04 in the second quarter.
The Mustangs went up 22-6 after starting from mid-field, scoring on a 17 yard run by Hayes and the two-point conversion taken in by Hayes. McCracken County took over on downs on the Marshals next possession, but an interception of Wheat by Bryce Flatt with seconds until the half, ended the drive.
Receiving the second half kick, the Mustangs capped off a 63 yard drive with a three yard run by Bradley for the touchdown, the extra point good for a 29-6 lead. McCracken County recovered a Marshall County fumble on the kick off and turned it into points, Bradley scoring his third touchdown of the game on a 10 yard run, the extra point attempt blocked by Marshall County’s Devon Evan but the Mustangs lead was 35-6.
McCracken County’s final touchdown came on a blocked punt that was picked up by Keiron Perez and taken into the end zone for a 42-6 lead at 6:20 in the third quarter, which would be the final score of the game.
The Marshal fall to 2-3 and will travel to Daviess County (1-4) on Friday. The Panthers lost to Owensboro 55-17 Friday and will be looking to pick up their first district win.
McCracken 7 15 20 0 42
Marshall 0 6 0 0 6
Total yards: Marshall 175, McCracken 294
Rushing: Marshall 135, McCracken 205
Marshall: Q. Smith 13/80, Wyatt 15/41, Crank 3/14
Passing: Marshall 40, McCracken 89
Marshall: Rayburn 1/29 (TD), R. Smith 1/14
Marshall tackles: D. Smothers 4, T. Smothers 3, Bowerman 3
Marshall interception: Flatt 1/20
