Marlin ISD

OFFENSIVE SHOWDOWN WITH DOGS COMING OUT ON TOP!

The playoffs are here once again and the bulldogs started off with a very exciting bi-district game vs. the Rusk Eagles at Bowers Stadium in Huntsville this past Saturday night. If you like offense then you got exactly what you wanted as both offenses ran up and down the field with ease until the final quarter when the bulldog defense rose up to protect a 10-point lead and the dogs went on to a 36-26 win.

The Eagles won the toss and elected to receive but three and out was the best they could do on their first offensive series. The bulldogs took over after the punt at their own 24-yard line. It took the dogs only six plays to score with Alvin Hall taking it in from five yards out. Running back Mark Jimenez set the touchdown run up by Hall with a hard bruising 30-yard run to the Eagle five. Daniel Ronquilla added the point after to make it 7-0 bulldogs.

The Eagles would answer back as they went on an eleven-play drive with QB Akeem Leviston taking it the final four yards for a touchdown. The point after was blocked by Carlos Bailey and the score stood at 7-6 bulldogs. Then with 58 seconds left in the first quarter, Ronquilla added three more points for the dogs connecting on a 40-yard field goal that just made it over the cross bar. After one the dogs were up 10-6.

Back came the Eagles. This time on a seven play drive with Leviston scoring from the two. The extra point by Cole Lucas was no good but the Eagles took the lead at 12-10. Back and forth the lead would go as Marlin went ona14-play drive with Tank Smith carrying the final two yards to put the dogs back in front at 16-12. Ronquilla's point after was no good.

Then on the ensuing kickoff the Eagles set up shop at their own 32. On the very first play from scrimmage they executed a screen pass to perfection with Leviston hitting freshman running back Cody Glenn in the flat and with no bulldog in sight, 68- yards later Rusk was back in front 18-16. Lucas added the point after to make it 19-16.

But here come the dogs, moving the ball back downfield with ease - all the way to the Rusk 15 yard line with seconds left before half. Facing a third and ten, bulldog QB, Thaddeus Freeman tried to hit tight end Greg Dukes with a quick pass over the middle but the ball was intercepted by Eagle Reed Lanham and the dog drive stalled. The score remained Rusk 19 and Marlin 16 at the half. The first half saw only one punt, a total of 25 first downs and a combined rushing total for both teams of 345 yards! The way both offenses were moving the ball it looked as though whoever had the ball last would win the game.

In the second half it was more of the same. The lead would see saw back and forth. With 7:33 showing on the clock in the third quarter the dogs moved back in front. This time it was senior running back Alvin Hall scoring once more. This time the play would cover 67 yards. Ronquilla's point after was good and the dogs jumped back in front 23-19.

Four minutes later, the Eagles would have an answer as Leviston scored his second touchdown of the night from two yards out. The point after was good and it was time for the Eagles to take the lead at 26-23.

Yes, you guessed it - The dogs had an answer. This time it came by the name of D'Nerian Wrighter. Facing a third and seven at their own 31 yard line with only 1:35 remaining in the third quarter, Wrighter took a pitch from Freeman, broke two tackles and put on the after burners - no Eagle could catch him - 69 yards - TOUCHDOWN and with the extra point by Ronquilla the dogs were in front for good at 30-26.

The Marlin defense led by John Sadler and Nate Humphrey had had enough of this Eagle offense and the door began to shut on them. The bulldog D would "nest" the Eagles the rest of the way. Marlin's offense though would score one more time to put the game out of reach as Freeman found Wayne McIntosh with a 9-yard touchdown pass with 2:32 left in the game. The games final play came on a quarterback sack as Humphrey fell on the Eagle QB at the dog 30- yard line. With the win and the bi-district title in hand the bulldogs will regroup and have to find someway to stop the high octane offense of the Cougars from China Spring in an Area match up thisFriday afternoon at Waco ISD. (Game time 2 PM) The Cougars won a thriller over Cameron by a score of 15-9 at Waco ISD Stadium on Saturday night coming from behind with 17 seconds left in the game when QB Shawn Bell hit his favorite target, Justin McGibbon on an 18-yard touchdown pass. It should be another exciting football game.

GAME NOTE:
On the night the dogs Alvin Hall was the workhorse rushing for 180 yards on 23 carries while scoring two touchdowns. As a team the dogs rushed for 427 yards.
The defense was led by John Sadler with 13 tackles and D'Nerian Wrighter with 12 tackles.

Marlin ISD
Created August 26, 1997 -- last revision August 2000
Please mail comments or suggestions to tsimpson@marlinisd.org

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