In their first game against Fulton County in 45 years, Marshall County beat the Pilots 46-6 Friday in Hickman, Ky. The win was also the first time in 15 years the Marshals have started a season 2-0. The last was in 2006 under Head Coach Mike Lawson in his last season at Marshall County. That team started 7-0 before finishing up at 7-4.
All 46 points for the Marshals came in the first half on six touchdowns and two safeties.
Aiden Dunigan returned the opening kickoff to mid-field and on the second play, Kameron Bowerman went 55 yards into the end zone and with the extra point attempt good by Logan Parker, it was a quick 7-0 lead.
A mishandled Fulton County punt resulted in a safety for the Marshals and a 9-0 lead.
Starting from mid-field, the Marshals added to their lead on a five yard touchdown run by Dunigan and extra point from Parker to lead 16-0. The touchdown was followed by the Marshals second safety of the game and an 18-0 lead.
Once again with great field position at their own 49, a couple of great gains by Landon Utley of 24 and 10 yards set up his one yard run into the end zone and with the Parker PAT, it was a 25-0 game.
Quarterback Quinn Smith connected with Tyler Orlandi for a 23 yard touchdown pass for a 32-0 lead following Parker’s extra point to close out the first quarter.
Their next drive was highlighted by a couple of nice gains by Bowerman that led to a 19 yard touchdown run by Jackson Mahmet early in the second quarter and it was 39-0 after Parker’s PAT.
With a running clock in place, the Marshals finished out the first half with an interception of Fulton County by Brody Young and three yard touchdown by Utley. Parker tacked on his sixth straight extra point for a 46-0 lead.
With many of the varsity starters on the sidelines in the second half. The Marshals freshman and JV players had the opportunity to finish out the game. Highlights of the half included two interceptions – Conner Nix and Wilson Shadowen. Nix took over the quarterback duties in the half.
Fulton County scored in the third quarter after a fumble recovery that was returned for a 75 yard touchdown by Dakyran Gossett.
“We played very well”, Head Coach Steve Etheridge said in post-game comments to WCBL’s Aaron Clayton. “Things we didn’t do well last week, we corrected tonight so that’s good.” Etheridge went on to commend his players on their hard work leading up to the season that began in January.
The Marshals surpassed 300 yards in total offense, the majority coming in the first half. They finished with 310 yards in rushing on 31 carries. Leading rushers were Utley with 105 yards and Bowerman with 95. Smith was 2-of-3 in passing for 38 yards. Mahmet led in total tackles with four followed by Bowerman with three. They held Fulton County to 45 yards of total offense.
Of note, five different players scored touchdowns for the Marshals, two juniors in Bowerman and Utley (2) and three sophomores – Dunigan, Orlandi and Mahmet. Parker, a sophomore who is 14-of-15 in PATs in the first two games, is also a member of the soccer team.
Up next, the Marshals will host Northpoint Christian from Southaven, Miss. at 7:00.
Marshall 32 14 0 0 – 46
Fulton Co. 0 0 6 0 – 6
