DRAFFENVILLE – Friday’s game against Apollo was a must-win if the Marshals are to make the 5A District 1 playoffs. Both teams came into the game with a 2-6 record, both 0-3 in district games and both hungry to finish their season on a high note. It was Apollo’s night, winning 49-10 and extending their season by at least one week into the playoffs.
“Very disappointing night”, Head Coach Evan Merrick said in post-game comments. “We wanted to come in here and make this a playoff atmosphere and compete and we really didn’t put it on the table tonight. We didn’t compete very well, didn’t play with any kind of urgency and that’s the kind of result you get when you come out flat against a good football team.”
Apollo with the first possession of the game, fumbled on their second play from scrimmage and recovered by Collin Gunn but the Marshals were unable to take advantage and turned the ball back over to the Eagles who then scored on a 41 yard touchdown pass from quarterback Brandon Alexander to Rates Lewis.
The Eagles quickly scored again making it a 13-0 game on a Marshall fumble at their 28 yard line, scoring on their first play on a 28 yard run by Bryson Morris.
Apollo picked up their third touchdown of the game on a one-yard quarterback keeper by Alexander and then converted on the two-point conversion for a 21-0 lead at 10:50 in the second quarter.
The Marshals got on the board on a field goal by Daniel Gardner that was set up by good gains on the ground by Colton Lampley and Mason Green, added to that a facemask and personal foul penalty on Apollo during the drive.
Apollo’s next two drives were thwarted by a fumble recovered by Grant Johnson and a big loss of yardage on a Green tackle on Morris forcing the Eagles to punt but following two nice gains on receptions from quarterback Skyler Smith to Lucas Forsythe and Eddie Morris, Smith was intercepted ending the Marshals drive.
Getting the ball on the 16 yard line following the interception, Apollo’s Alexander completed an 84 yard pass to Wan-ye Pain for a touchdown and 28-3 lead with 57 seconds left in the first half.
The Marshals opened the second half with a good kick return by Austin Riley to the Apollo 49 yard line but a pass interception by the Eagles stopped the drive and set them up for their fifth touchdown on a three-yard run by Brent Willis for a 35-3 lead with 6:29 left in the third quarter.
In the fourth quarter, Apollo scored twice on a 23-yard pass from Alexander to Lewis and a 58-yard run by Nic Brooks to lead 49-3 with 4:07 remaining in the game.
The Marshals scored their only touchdown of the game with 58 seconds remaining on a 15-yard run by Lampley with the extra point tacked on by Gardner.
Alexander had a big night in passing for Apollo with 10 of 15 completions for 282 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions leading the Eagles to nearly 500 yards in total offense in the win. Alexander’s leading receiver was Lewis who caught five for 135 yards and two touchdowns.
Lampley led the Marshals in rushing with 21 carries for 121 yards and a touchdown while Forsythe led receivers with three catches for 30 yards.
The Marshals will play their final game of the 2015 season on Friday at Hopkinsville. Apollo joins Owensboro, Christian County and Graves County in the 5A District 1 play-offs that will begin on November 6th.
