The opening round of the 6A playoffs in 2007 was the last time Marshall County beat Henderson County and since that year, they have lost 10 straight. The Colonels are currently one of the top 6A teams in the state, coming into Friday’s home game against the Marshals with a 4-1 record. Their only loss to 4A power Boyle County who are rolling as well with an undefeated season.
Last week, the Colonels held Paducah Tilghman to just two yards rushing in their 30-13 win in part due to senior linebacker, Saadiq Clements, who had four tackles and five sacks. Clements ranks first in 6A stats in sacks and has verbally committed to Purdue.
Coming off their own tough rushing week against Daviess County with less than 10 yards, the Marshals picked up 22 unofficially against Henderson County but were much better through the air Friday with 147 yards on five completions.
Senior Jordan Wright, who came into Friday’s game with 483 rushing yards and one of the top 10 rushers in the state, scored the Colonels first touchdown on a 31-yard run and senior Jaheim Williams scored the second from the two-yard line and with four minutes left in the first quarter, the Colonels lead was 14-0.
A fumble on the Marshals next possession led to another Henderson County touchdown when Luke Dalton scooped it up and ran it back the 11 yards to give the Colonels a 21-0 lead.
The Marshals got the ball back on an interception of Trajdon Davis by Gavin Clark and finished out the first quarter with a couple of first downs on runs by Aiden Dunigan. The drive ended to start the second quarter and the Marshals had to punt.
On the Colonels next possession, a long pass from Davis to Turner Mattingly was denied the touchdown when Gavin Clark pushed him out on the three-yard line but Wright would score his second touchdown on the following play to put them up 28-0.
The Colonels scored two more touchdowns before the half – the first on a nine-yard pass to Koien Banks and the second, Wright’s third TD of the game from the one-yard line following a punt return to the six by Williams. The lead was 42-0 at halftime.
Henderson County opened the second half with the ball, but not for long after Dunigan forced a fumble. A couple of nice receptions by Parker Gibbs moved the ball to the Colonels 34-yard line before the quarter ended quickly with a running clock in place.
With Dalton Hartman taking the snaps, the Marshals moved the ball down to the five and Landon Utley’s touchdown capped off an 89-yard drive to put them on the board.
A final touchdown by the Colonels came on a five-yard run by Anthony Burrus following an 80-yard drive for the 49-7 final.
Following a bye week on Friday, the Marshals (3-4) will look to their October 14 game at Apollo for one final chance to pick up a 6A District 1 win. Apollo is 1-5 and lost 34-14 Friday to McCracken County. They play Henderson County next Friday.
A few Class 6A stats coming into Friday’s game, the Marshals had three players among the top 30 rushers in the state. Ranked 26th, Kameron Bowerman had 285 yards on 31 carries. Landon Utley, ranked 27th, had 336 yards on 57 carries and Aiden Dunigan with 311 yards on 32 carries was ranked 29th. Logan Parker was ranked fifth in point after attempts with 23 made out of 26. Utley ranked 14th in tackles with a total of 47 in solo and assisted combined.
Marshall County 0 0 0 7 – 7
Henderson County 21 21 0 7 – 49
