Marlin ISD

Crockett Bulldogs Bark The Loudest

One thing was certain on Friday night, September 1 at Legion Field - The Bulldogs would come out winners. BUT which Bulldogs was the question as Crockett came to visit Marlin. Crockett was rated as high as number three coming in while Marlin had a number one ranking in one poll. It was a hot night but the heat didn't keep the faithful fans from coming out to watch the season opener.

Marlin had to go without their "All Everything" QB, Jeremy Modkins to start the game (nursing a sore elbow) as sophomore Thaddeus Freeman led the team until a vicious hit put him out of the game late in the second quarter. Freeman played a great game rushing six times for 36 yards and scoring Marlin's first touchdown on a 5-yard run with 8:18 left in the first period. Mo Smith added the extra point for a 7-0 Marlin lead.

The Marlin "D" rose to the occasion on Crockett's next possession. They managed only six yards, highlighted by a great hit by Adrian Green along the Marlin side line.

Crockett was forced to punt and Desmond Watson took the ball at his own 40 and with good blocking, he put the moves on and the speed all out for a 40 yard return to the Crockett 20. Unfortunately, Marlin couldn't take advantage of this great starting position. A fourth and one from the 11 yard line resulted in a one yard loss and Crockett took over at the 12.

Both teams traded the ball back and forth for the remainder of the first quarter with neither team scoring again as it was 7-0 Marlin to start the second.

A fumble by Marlin to start the second quarter was recovered by Crockett at the 16 and twelve plays later, Crockett scored on a 22-yard pass from L'Tydrick Taylor to Kevin Woolbright. The point after by Riley was good and we were knotted at 7-7 with 5:01 left in the period.

Marlin's next possession is where Freeman took the hit that would sideline him for the rest of the game and Modkins, nursing that sore elbow, took over. The running duo of Derrick Berry and Smith would have to put it into high gear more so now. Starting from their own 40, Smith and Berry began to motor. Poised to score from the Crockett 6, Marlin's offense stalled. Two no gainers, a sack and an incomplete pass on fourth down led to Crockett taking over at their own 25 as time ran out in the half. Score 7-7

The third quarter it would be Berry and Smith off to the races once more with Smith bringing the crowd to their feet with an electrifying 45 yard yard run for a TD. Mo added the extra point and Marlin took the lead at 14-7. with 5:04 to play in the third.

Back came Crockett. Sweep left, sweep right, pass, pitch and Crockett was at the Marlin 35 facing a fourth and long. A pass from Riley to Elbert Johnson on the next play was good for a touchdown. Crockett's try for two was no good and Marlin held a one point leads at 14-13 with 4:24 left in the third.

There would be no more scoring in the third period and we would head to the final quarter nursing a one point lead. Both teams would trade possessions back and fourth until Crockett scored with 4:45 to go in the game. This time it was on a fourth and 15 play from Marlin's 35. Riley connected with TB Dustin Colter for the winning score. Crockett tried for a two point conversion but the pass fell incomplete.

Marlin would get one more chance and things started out right for the home town dogs. Berry returned the kick off to the 24. Modkins and Smith grounded out two first downs down to the Crockett 47. But that was as close as Marlin would get. With only a minute to play, Modkins tried to hit Watson with a pass (incomplete) and then on the next three consecutive plays Modkins, trying to scramble,was hit behind the line and the dogs were out of downs. Crockett took over on the Marlin 32 and ran out the clock.

On the night statistically - Mo Smith rushed 22 times for 160 yards and one touchdown. Derrick Berry had 69 yards on 11 carries and Thaddeus Freeman finished with 36 yards on 6 carries and scored one touchdown.

Marlin's defense was led by Jimmie Quinn with 17 tackles and Adrian Green with 15.

Next up for the bulldogs from Marlin will be a home tilt against University High from Waco. Game time 8:00 p.m. September 8 at Legion Field.

See ya at the game!

Marlin ISD
Created August, 1999 -- last revision September, 2000

Please mail comments or suggestions to tsimpson@marlinisd.org

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