DRAFFENVILLE – You have to go back to the 2011 season to find the last winning season for the Marshals, going 6-5 that year, a fact that is not lost on second year Head Coach Evan Merrick.
One big change to the Marshals football program this season is the move from 6A to 5A, playing in a five-team district that consists of Graves County, Owensboro, Apollo and Christian County. The Marshals will have to earn their way into the play-offs, something that hasn’t been the case in the last few seasons with a four-team district.
“Our district is going to be tough, but I feel like we can come in our first year and be competitive”, Merrick said. “Our off-district schedule will include Murray, Calloway and Mayfield, so there’s really not a week off so we’ll just take it a week at a time.”
Merrick wants his players to have the mind-set that all games in October are significant games which could lead to a favorable first round playoff game which he feels gives the team a good chance of winning a playoff game and good for the growth of the program.
The Marshals will be young, with a few seniors they will look to for leadership like four-year player Collin Gunn, and the rest of the senior class that includes Josh Brown, David Crittenden, Austin Dill, Blake Harrison, Jonathan Hogan, Colton Lampley, Eddie Morris, Grant Ray, Joe Roath, Anthony Shuetz and Steve Sullivan, as well as looking to some of the younger players to step into those leadership roles.
One of those younger players will be quarterback Skyler Smith, although just a sophomore, saw a lot of varsity playing time last season.
“Skyler played half a year and took his lumps, but I feel got better”, Merrick said, noticing the sophomore has already taken on his role as a team leader.
Following two scrimmages at Ft. Campbell on August 14th and at home against Union County on August 20th, the Marshals waste no time jumping into stiff competition in their first regular season game at home against Mayfield, the reigning Class 1A state champions, also jumping classes this season to 2A.
“We usually play Mayfield in week five but due to this year’s district schedule they are week one and it’s a game the Marshals look forward to and always want to keep on the schedule”, Merrick said.
Following Mayfield, the Marshals will host Ballard Memorial on September 4th in the Hall of Fame Game then travel the next two weeks to Murray and Calloway County before the district schedule starts on September 25th at Christian County.
Two new faces will be on the sidelines on the coaching staff but former head coaches themselves which include former Marshall head coach Tracy Cleaver and David Morris, joining assistants Tyler Brockman, Nathan Bazzell, Jason Fite, Jeff Sturm and Ed Deese.
“It’s a fun group, but when they put the pads on they play with intensity”, Merrick said of the 2015 Marshals. “They’re young but we’re looking for leadership out of that group and getting some of the fun back which I feel will translate into success.”
CLICK HERE for the 2015 Marshals schedule.
Keep up with all Marshall County Football program information at www.marshallcountyfootball.com.
