Marlin ISD

  Leopards knock Bulldogs from Playoffs

It was cold, it was windy and in the end it was the Leopards defeating the bulldogs 35-29 in the state semifinal game at Waco ISD on Saturday, December 16.

The bulldogs seem to be in control of the game as they led 23-14 heading into the fourth quarter with the wind at their back, but costly turnovers caused by the wind enabled LaGrange to score three touchdowns to take the victory.

Marlin won the coin toss and deferred to the second half. La Grange was able to move the ball as they picked up three first downs before turning the ball over on a fumble. The dogs were unable to move the ball and punted back to the Leopards. The dog defense this time held LaGrange to only one first down and forcing another Leopard punt into the wind.

The dogs took over at their own 37. On first down Jeremy Modkins passed to Desmond Watson for a gain to the Leopard 30. On the very next play, Demarcus "Mo" Smith broke through the line, stumbled, regained his balance and sprinted 30 yards into the end zone. Mo added the point after and the dogs were up 7-0 with just under three minutes remaining in the first quarter.

La Grange would answer with an 11 play scoring drive that culminated on a fourth down pass from Ty Gunn to Maurice Bouldwin that covered 34 yards. Kevin Selfert added the point after to tie it at 7 all. This is where the score would remain at the half.

The Leopards kicked to Marlin to start the second half and with the wind behind them the kick sailed into the end zone. Starting at their own 20, Marlin's first play resulted in a fumble recovered by LaGrange. Three plays later, Gunn scored on a quarterback keeper. Selfert's point after was good to give the Leopards a 14-7 lead.

The ensuing kickoff again sailed through the end zone and the dogs started once again at their 20. On second down, Modkins found tight end, Davison Nutt open for a first down at the 39. Mo carried three straight times to move the ball to the Leopard 49. On first down, Modkins kept the ball, found an opening and sprinted 49 yards to pay dirt. Opting not to kick the point after into the wind, the dogs went for two and the lead. Mo took a pitch left and went in to make it 15-14 bulldogs with 8:11 left in the third.

The defense set up the next score for the dogs. After two Leopard first downs, bulldog CB, Carlos Bailey, crashed into the backfield, disrupted the play, caused a fumble and returned the ball to the Leopard 43. Three plays later, Modkins found his favorite receiver, Desmond Watson for a 43-yard scoring pass. Derrick Berry added the two point conversion and the dogs were in control 23-14.

A crucial call came when Marlin decided to go for it on a fourth down play from their own 34. Modkins was sacked for a loss and LaGrange took over at the dog 28 yard line. Eight plays later the Leopards were in the end zone. The drive was highlighted by a fourth down conversion good for 15 yards on a run by Gunn to the dog five yard line. Gunn later scored and with the PAT by Selfert, the bulldog lead was down to two at 23-21 with 9:39 left to play in the game.

The next kickoff is where the trouble really began for the dogs. Kicking into the wind, the high kick was caught by the wind and blown back away from the receiver, Desmond Watson who was unable to catch up to the ball resulting in a fumble recovered by the Leopards at the Marlin 28. La Grange was poised to score again and the momentum had swung their way. Another eight play drive resulted in a Kevin Ulrich touchdown run. The Leopards decided to go for two but the pass was knocked down by Jock Johnson and the Leopards lead stood at only four points - 23-27 with 7:36 to go in the game.

Another high kick off into the swirling wind, resulted in another bulldog fumble but this time the dogs were able to retain possession. As mentioned earlier the Big Mo as in momentum had switched and the La Grange defense really toughened up. Marlin could not muster one first down and were forced to punt. Troubles continued for the dogs. A high snap could not be handled and La Grange recovered the fumble down at the bulldog three yard line. Two plays later, Gunn kept for the touchdown and also carried it in for the two-point conversion, putting LaGrange ahead by a score of 35-23 with 5:48 remaining in the game.

Finally adjusting to the wind, Marlin took the next kickoff and returned it to the 30. Managing two first downs the dogs were forced to go for it again on a fourth down try. Modkins pass was picked off by Josh Sulik and returned to the Leopard 45.

The dog defense didn't quit as they held the Leopards on a fourth down try at the bulldog 49. Facing no time outs left, Marlin needed to score and they needed to do so quick. A pass to Watson picks up 8. On fourth down, the Leopards were flagged for pass interference and the dogs had a first down at the LaGrange 42 yard line. A third down pass to Bailey was good to the 29 and then another third down pass to Bailey in the end zone was good for a touchdown. Unfortunately for the dogs, time had run out in the game and in their season.

Final score LaGrange 35 and Marlin 29

It was a great season. Eleven wins and only four losses and a trip to the state semifinals. A trip that hadn't been made since 1964. A thrilling year for the fans and the coaches and most of all the players.

See ya next year!

Marlin ISD
Created 1999 -- last revision December, 2000
Please mail comments or suggestions to tsimpson@marlinisd.org

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