Scheduled to play Henderson County on Friday, Marshall County was left with no opponent this week when the Colonels had to postpone due to issues with COVID-19. The final game of the season against Ballard Memorial was moved up to replace this week’s game while the Henderson County game will now be played on Nov. 6.
Both teams came into Thursday’s game looking for their first win of the 2020 season after 0-3 starts and it was the Marshals who picked up the victory in a 54-0 win, the first for first-year head coach Steve Etheridge.
“Glad we didn’t have to wait much longer”, Etheridge said. “The kids came out ready to go tonight… they came out ready to win and they showed it.”
This was the 11th time the Marshals and Bombers have met on the gridiron, the Marshals with the edge leading the series 8-2. Their memorable 70-52 win in 2018 over Ballard Memorial set numerous records including most Marshall County points in a single game and most combined points in a single game in program history.
Marshall County received the opening kick into the hands of junior Logan Reese who would take it 86 yards into the end zone, the point after attempt good by Talon Smothers for a 7-0 lead.
They scored on all seven of their first half possessions, the second coming on a 23 yard pass from junior quarterback Quinn Smith to Reese for his second touchdown and 13-0 Marshall County lead at 9:23 in the first quarter.
Marshall County went up 20-0 on a 39 yard run by senior Garrett Parker, the PAT good by Smothers at 6:54 in the first quarter and they would score again less than two minutes later after a blocked punt gave them great field position, scoring on a four yard run by sophomore Kameron Bowerman. Smothers converted the kick for a 27-0 lead.
Ballard Memorial picked up a couple of first downs on their next possession, but forced to punt, it was fumbled and picked up by the Marshals at the Bombers 26 yard line. Marshall County scored on a 14 yard run by Parker for a 34-0 lead after Smothers point after kick with 1:43 left in the first quarter.
They took a 40-0 lead when Bowerman took it in from the one yard line for the first score of the second quarter. The final first half trip into the end zone came after a nice punt return by Reese that set up a touch down by sophomore Landon Utley, the point after tacked on by Smothers for a 47-0 halftime lead.
The Bombers broke into Marshall County territory for the first time in the game on their opening possession of the second half but turned it over to the Marshals on downs as the second half moved quickly with the running clock.
The Marshals final touchdown of the game came in the fourth quarter, when sophomore Conner Nix in at quarterback, found Utley for an eight yard touchdown. Smothers added the extra point to cap off the 54-0 win.
“Momentum is a good thing when kids start doing things the right way”, Etheridge said following the win. He added that in good times and bad times, the coaching staff does a good job coaching up the kids.
Total offensive yardage for the Marshals was just over 200 due to great field position most of the night. The majority of their yards came on the ground, led by Utley who reached 100 yards on 13 carries, scoring two touchdowns. Parker had just under 80 yards on four carries including two touchdowns.
With a rare Friday night off, the Marshals will now prepare for next week’s game at Trigg County (1-2) who play Crittenden County (2-1) tonight.
Marshall 34 13 0 7 – 54
Ballard 0 0 0 0 – 0
Sophomore Landon Utley rushed for 100 yards against Ballard Memorial and scored two touchdowns in Thursday’s 54-0 win.More photos from Thursday’s win over Ballard Memorial
