Marlin ISD

The Marlin Bulldogs traveled to Lorena on November 6th for their final game of the '98 regular football season. The Leopards of Lorena needed a win to have any hopes of making it to post season play.

With the opening kick-off the dogs began to move down the field relentlessly before the drive was capped by Donald Benjamin scoring the first points of the game. Nathan Polster added the point after to make it 7-0 bulldogs.

Then the "BIG D," led by David Scruggs, Dustin Sowders and Clifton Hopwood, took over. Three and out for the Leopards set up a punt that was partially blocked by Jante Cheeves. And the dogs were poised to strike again at the Lorena 39-yard line.

Back-up quarterback, Bert Tiller, subbing for an injured Jeremy Modkins, hit Cheeves for the bulldog's second score of the night. Polster added the point after and early on it was all bulldogs 14-0.

The Leopards finally got on the scoreboard in the second quarter as QB Jason Penoli hit Kyle Durlock for a TD. O'Dell McGinty added the extra point and the Leopards cut the lead in half to 14-7.

A bulldog fumble on their next possession was recovered by Lorena and returned for a touchdown and with McGinty's extra point, all of a sudden we were knotted up at 14 - 14 as both teams headed for their lockers.

The Leopards would score first in the second half to take the lead as Robert Culp bulled his way into the end zone. The extra point was good and Lorena had its first lead at 21-14. This is where the score would remain until the final minutes of the fourth quarter. This is also where Marlin's starting quarterback, Modkins would return to duty. His return to the offensive unit lit a spark as the offensive unit began to move the ball. Runs by Benjamin and Reggie Smith had the dogs barking at the Leopard 14-yard line. Following a time out by Lorena, Modkins hit Cheeves in the end zone, Polster added the point after and once more we were tied at 21-21 with just under five minutes to play.

Neither team would score in the final minutes and we were headed to overtime. Under the tie-breaking system, each offensive unit is given the ball at the oppositions 25 - yard line.

Marlin received the ball first. Modkins hit Tiller on a 23 yard pass to the two. Three plays later, Modkins scored on a quarterback sneak. The point after failed but the dogs had the lead at 27-21.

It was the Leopards turn - A touchdown and the point after and Lorena would win and be in the playoffs.

Facing second and seven from the ten, the Leopards went for it all - trying to score off the arm of Penoli. The first pass fell incomplete and the next two were batted down by the bulldog defense.

Four chances is all you get and the Leopards had fallen short. The defense once more had risen to the occasion and now its off to the playoffs this Saturday night where the bulldogs will face the Goats from Groesbeck. The goats beat the bulldogs earlier this year scoring 26 unanswered points in the final period. Will the dogs be ready? You can bet there will be plenty of barking going on at Wildcat Stadium at 7:30 p.m. "Who let the dogs out?"

Marlin ISD
Created August 26, 1997 -- last revision November 1998
Please mail comments or suggestions to tsimpson@marlinisd.org
URL: http://www.esc12.tenet.edu/marlinisd/football98.html

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