Marshall County played their final game of the 2023 season Friday at home against McLean County. It was just the fifth time the two teams have played and the Marshals have won all four of the previous meetings.
Friday, McLean County earned their first-ever win over Marshall County by a final score of 38-17. The Cougars finish the regular season with a record of 8-2 and will play Glascow next Friday in the first round of the Class 3A playoffs.
The Marshals finish the season at 3-7, one win coming by forfeit in the first game of the season against Bethlehem.
The night couldn’t have started any better for the Marshals who scored less than a minute in on a 46-yard pass from Neyland Jezik to Toren Redmond. Logan Parker added the extra point for the early 7-0 lead.
McLean County answered quickly on their first possession, scoring on a 43-yard run by Aden Bolden and they took an 8-7 lead following the two-point conversion.
The Marshals added three more points on their next possession that ended in a 46-yard field goal by Parker to go back up 10-8.
The Cougars went up 14-10, scoring on a one-yard run by Bolden following a 73-yard gain by quarterback Brodie Cline.
McLean County’s Trokoby Gill picked off a Jezik pass and the Cougars went on to score on a one-yard keeper by Cline to open the second quarter on a 22-10 lead following a successful two-point conversion.
After a punt ended the Marshals next possession, Luke Webber intercepted a pass by Cline. The drive ended on a 43-yard field goal attempt by Parker that was no good.
Webber ended McLean County’s next possession with another interception in the endzone after the Cougars drove 66 yards down to the 14-yard line. Working the final seconds of the clock, moving the ball downfield, time ran out for the Marshals and they trailed 22-10 at halftime.
McLean County scored on a clocking eating drive to open the second half. Cline went the final 10 yards on a keeper and with the two-point conversion, the Cougars extended their lead to 30-10.
Facing fourth and 28 to open the fourth quarter, the Marshals picked up the first down on a pass from Jezik to Kamren Brown then scored on a 17-yard touchdown run by Aiden Dunigan to cut the lead to 30-17.
Needing a big play to turn the tides, the Marshals got it on a fumble recovery by Dylan Robinson but turned it back over after Jezik was hit during his throw and it ended up in the hands of McLean County.
The Cougars put up one more touchdown on a 20-yard run by Ayden Rice and with the two-point conversion, finished off the 38-17 win.
In unofficial stats, the Marshals finished with a total of 327 yards of offense. They rushed for 111 yards on 26 carries, led by Dunigan who had 105 yards on 14 carries. Jezik was 11-of-18 for 216 yards. Redmond was the leading receiver with 112 yards on four receptions.
McLean County amassed 451 yards of offense with 382 coming on the ground. Cline and Bolden both rushed for over 100 yards. Cline was 2-of-5 in passing for 69 yards.
Senior Night was celebrated in pre-game festivities. Twelve seniors suited up for the final game on Friday including Blaze Brown, Kane Buchmeier, Jordan Clapp, Gavin Clark, Aiden Dunigan, Landon Dyke, Zach Eutsler, Jackson Mahmet, Anthony Pelligrin, Presley Prigmore, Colton Trexler and Bryce York.
Marshall County 10 0 0 7 – 17
McLeans County 14 8 8 8 – 38
Marshall County vs. McLean County 10-27-23
