Meeting on the gridiron for the sixth time, the Marshals hosted 5A district one opponent Owensboro Friday in their final home game of the season. The Marshals only win over the Red Devils came in 2003 and Owensboro came into the game off a big 42-20 win over Christian County the previous week.
Owensboro’s dominance began early in their 50-7 win over the Marshals, scoring on a 60 yard punt return by Imonte Owsley with the extra point attempt good and a 7-0 lead at 7:49 in the first quarter. The Red Devils scored three minutes later on a 75 yard drive that was highlighted by a 45 yard run by Owsley and 20 yard pass from Will Warren to Treyvon Tinsley for the touchdown and a 14-0 lead.
The Marshals punted from the end zone on their next possession, giving the Red Devils great field position at the Marshals 40 yard line, scoring on a 34 yard pass from Warren to Tinsley to lead 21-0. With 46 second remaining in the first quarter, Owensboro scored on a 34 yard pass from Warren to Trevon Green to finish out the quarter leading 28-0.
Owensboro went up 36-0 early in the second quarter, scoring on a 57 yard run by Owsley and with the two point conversion, a running clock was initiated. Austin Gough intercepted Tyler Stokes on the Marshals next possession and took the ball all the way back for a touchdown and 43-0 Red Devil lead.
Owensboro’s final touchdown came in the third quarter following a 39 yard drive for a 50-0 lead. The Marshals got on the board in the fourth quarter on a 28 yard touchdown run by Ty Buchmeier and the extra point good by Austin Stockdale.
“We knew going into a game like this it was going to take a complete effort from the beginning”, Coach Evan Merrick said. “Very strong football team, we knew that going in…we knew it was going to take a tremendous effort to stay and compete with these guys.”
Merrick said they would use the upcoming off week to get ready for Apollo with two more games left in the season and a berth in the district playoffs still at stake.
Owenboro had nearly 320 yards in total offense, 135 on the ground led by Owsley with one carry for 49 yards. Warren was 10 of 17 in pass completions for 181 yards and four touchdowns. His leading receiver was Tinsley who caught five passes for 80 yards and two touchdowns.
The Marshals had just over 110 yards of offense, most of it on the ground. Buchmeier carried the ball 13 times for 50 yards and Devon Evans had two carries for 17 yards. Stokes was two of six in the air for 19 yards, both passes to Austin Riley.
Owensboro is 5-2, 2-0 in district games and will play Apollo next Friday. Marshall County is 3-5 and 0-2 in district play. Following their bye week, they will play at Apollo October 19.
