In their final game of the 2024 season, Marshall County traveled to Calhoun to play McLean County. The Cougars at 6-3 had already claimed a spot in the Class 3A playoffs, set to take on Adair County next Friday. For the Marshals, it was a chance to finish with a four-win season for the first time since 2017.
McLean County beat the Marshals 38-17 in last season’s finale and this year’s final game would meet the same fate with the Cougars winning 30-14.
Not the finish that first year Head Coach Nick Bloodworth and the Marshals had hoped for but the season was not without its high moments, spectacular plays and grit and toughness shown by the players.
In his post-game comments, Bloodworth said his players have battled the last few weeks and he is already looking to the things they need to improve on next season. He also addressed the final game of the 19 seniors.
“I couldn’t ask for a better group of seniors my first year”, said Bloodworth. “They practice hard and do everything we ask them to do.”
The night began with the Marshals intercepting McLean County in the endzone on their opening drive, courtesy of Toren Redmon. The Marshals drive would stall out and a 35 yard field goal attempt by Tommy Robertson just missed.
Early in the second quarter, McLean County put the first points on the board on a 27 yard touchdown run by quarterback Ayden Rice and with the two-point conversion, the Cougars led 8-0.
Marshall County answered on their next drive, putting seven points up. The drive was set up on a kick return by Redmon to midfield. A couple of nice gains by Jake Thomasson preceded a 36 yard touchdown reception by Cash Henson from Neyland Jezik. Robertson added the point after and they trailed 8-7 at halftime.
Receiving the second half kick, the Marshals were forced to punt giving McLean County great field position. The Cougars took advantage, scoring on a Rice handoff to Aden Bolden and Bolden six yard pass to Houston Whitaker for the TD. With the two-point conversion, the Cougars took a 16-7 lead.
McLean County put another six points on the board to start the fourth quarter. Bolden took the ball 64 yards for the score but the two point conversion failed.
With just over six minutes remaining, the Marshals next drive resulted in a six yard touchdown run by Thomasson to cut the Cougar’s lead to 22-14.
Another big play by McLean County with four minutes remaining sealed the Cougar’s victory. This time Bolden would take it 61 yards for the touchdown and with the two point conversion, the lead was 30-14.
Thomasson came close to picking up his third 100 yard game this season. The freshman had over 800 yards rushing for the season with his best game on the ground coming in the 33-0 win over Muhlenberg County when he rushed for 237 yards.
Jezik passed for nearly 100 yards bringing his season total to almost 1,200 yards over the 10 games which included a 208 yard night in the third game of the season against Murray. Jezik’s leading receiver was Cash Henson. Henson picked up another 50 on Friday and for the season went over 500 yards.
Marshall County 0 7 0 7 – 14
McLean County 0 8 8 14 – 30