Marshall County and Graves County met on the gridiron for the 34th time Friday and the Eagles held a 24-9 advantage coming into the district game at Carroll Traylor Stadium. Graves County picked up their 25th win of the series and 18th in a row with Friday’s 48-0 victory over the Marshals and it was their largest winning margin since the rivalry began in 1990.
The game began with a fumble by the Marshals on their first play from scrimmage but they got the ball right back two plays later after the Eagles fumbled and it was recovered by Luke Owen.
The Marshals next drive featured a nice gain of 21 yards by Aiden Dunigan but the drive ended on a punt which was the theme for both teams much of the half.
A nice pass from Neyland Jezik to Kamren Brown opened the second quarter for the Marshals. Facing fourth and one, Dunigan gained the first down and more with his run but a punt followed and the Graves County offense began to click.
Things unraveled quickly for the Marshals as the Eagles scored 21 points in the final four minutes of the half. The first on an 18-yard pass from Kaden Gregory to Brayden Woodword. Lincoln Acree scored the next two touchdowns for the Eagles on 18 yard and nine-yard receptions for a 21-0 halftime lead.
Graves County put up 27 more points in the second half while injuries began to plague the Marshals.
Cole Katzman gained 59 yards for the Eagles on the first play of the second half, then scored on a six-yard run to give them a 28-0 lead.
Jezik suffered an injury on the Marshals next drive and was replaced at quarterback by Toren Redmond.
The Marshals were able to stop the Eagles next drive, in part on a sack of Gregory by Luke Owen. The Marshals drive was short lived and the Eagles went on to score on an 11-yard run by Katzman to take a 35-0 lead.
Graves County’s final two touchdowns were scored on a 50-yard run at the end of the third quarter and a two-yard run in the fourth.
Unofficially, the Marshals had 150 yards of total offense with 85 yards coming on the ground on 32 carries. Dunigan was the leading rusher with 66 yards on 12 carries. Jezik and Redmond combined for 67 yards on nine receptions. The leading receiver was Brown with two receptions for 27 yards.
Graves County amassed 400 yards of total offense. The majority of those on the ground with 268 yards on 21 carries. Katzman ran for 78 yards on four carries. Gregory was 8-of-13 in passing for 132 yards.
The Marshals fall to 2-5 and need to beat Apollo (1-7) next Friday at home to earn a spot in the playoffs.
Graves County 0 21 21 6 – 48
Marshall County 0 0 0 0 – 0
