Just five days after the Marshals beat Muhlenberg County under the lights on Saturday night, they hosted Owensboro on Thursday at Carroll Traylor Stadium in their Senior Night game.
A perennial powerhouse in Kentucky’s Class 5A for the past nine years, Owensboro over the last six years have advanced to the state quarterfinals, four semi-finals and the championship game in 2020. The #5 ranked Red Devils came into Thursday’s contest with a record of 3-3 and 2-0 in District 1. The Marshals were also 3-3 with a 1-1 district record.
Trailing 21-14 in the closing seconds, the Marshals final drive to tie or beat the Red Devils fell inches short when Owensboro’s Kalil Shemwell intercepted a Neyland Jezik pass in the endzone.
“Our kids came out and played hard”, Head Coach Nick Bloodworth said in post-game comments to WCBL’s Aaron Clayton. “The whole game we left it all out there. Had a chance to win at the end and just came up short.”
Marshall County’s defense forced four Owensboro turnovers starting with a 4th and 1 fumble recovery on their opening drive. That set up the Marshals first touchdown on a 19-yard pass from Jezik to Cash Henson for a 6-0 lead at the close of the first quarter.
Owensboro quickly answered, scoring early in the second quarter from 13 yards out on a carry by Evan Hampton. The point after kick was good and the Red Devils were on the board leading 7-6.
Owensboro threatened again after good field position following a Marshall County punt. A 30-yard touchdown pass was brought back on an offensive pass interference penalty. Owensboro quarterback Trevor Delacey’s next pass was tipped up into the air and into the hands of Marshall County’s Cash Henson. Henson ran it back 30 yards to set up the Marshals next drive from their own 37.
On fourth and one, the Marshals didn’t convert the first down and with a penalty tacked on, gave Owensboro great field position. They covered the 31 yards on a long pass to Jaileon Bryant to the one then into the endzone to take a 14-6 lead with 26 second left in the half.
Receiving the second half kick, Owensboro’s big 60-yard return was not the start the Marshals wanted. Luke Webber picked off Delacey at the one-yard line on 4th and 13 to end the Red Devils scoring hopes.
After a scoreless third quarter for both teams, the Marshals tied the game up at 14 less than three minutes into the fourth. The drive was made up of a couple of nice gains by Jake Thomasson who then scored from two yards out. Jezik found Kam Brown in the endzone for the two-point conversion.
The Marshals defensive effort shining once again on the Red Devils next drive. Kaden Merrick drops quarterback Delacey for a loss and Owensboro would have to punt.
Owensboro scored on their next possession to take a 21-14 lead with 3:20 remaining in the game. Dylan Robinson sacked Delacey for a big loss but facing third and 17, Delacey completed a pass for the first down then Hampton went 36 yards for the touchdown.
Starting from their own 22-yard line, the Marshals late game drive to tie or go ahead was highlighted by complete passes from Jezik to Toren Redmon and Ethan Webber down to the Red Devils 21 with 47 seconds on the clock. Jezik picked up the first down to the 19 and Thomasson took it down to the seven before the pick in the endzone to end the game.
“Defensively, guys making plays on balls and getting picks kept us in the game”, Bloodworth said. “Can’t be more proud. We just went toe to toe with the number one team in the district.”
Tomasson rushed for over 100 yards following his big night on Saturday in the win over Muhlenberg County when the freshman had 237 yards. Jezik was 16 of 24 for 114 yards in passing, the majority of those to Redmon who had eight catches for 74 yards.
Hampton rushed for over 150 yards for the Red Devils. Delancy completed 13 of 27 passes for 143 yards.
Marshall County (3-4) will be off next Friday and return to action on October 18 looking to pick up another district win over Graves County (4-2). The Eagles play district opponent Apollo (3-3) tonight.
Marshall 6 0 0 8 – 14
Owensboro 7 7 0 7 – 21
Marshall vs. Owensboro – Senior Night 10-3-24
