Junior quarterback Tyler Thompson picks up a block and fires a pass downfield. He went 14-for-25 for 339 yards and had five passing touchdowns and a rushing touchdown for Marshall County. (Post Photo by Chris Siers)
By CHRIS SIERS
csiers@bedfordcountypost.com
SHELBYVILLE — Anytime a quarterback makes just their second start at the most important position on the field, there’s plenty of questions surrounding the ability of the player taking over the position.
In just his second start as the Marshall County signal caller on Thursday night, Tyler Thompson made sure if there were any doubts about his abilities, they were put to bed real fast.
Thompson went 14-for-25 for 339 yards and five passing touchdowns and added a sixth on the ground in the Tigers’ 47-35 win at Shelbyville Central.
“He’s got a special feel for the position. He was battling a hurt shoulder tonight, but you really couldn’t tell it. He’s got a special calmness about him that he just has a great feel for the game. We’re really proud he’s our quarterback,” Tiger coach Thomas Osteen said.
Thursday night’s non-district tilt at Shelbyville (1-1) was one for the ages, with the game turning into a good old fashioned shootout that saw the Tigers (2-0) come out on top, thanks to a 19-point fourth-quarter rally.
“Winning is hard. Shelbyville is a good team. They’re going to go deep in the 5-A playoffs this year. That back (Robert Bailey) is as good as we’ve faced in a long time. Total team effort. Defense made enough stops. Special teams made some big plays. Just really proud to be a Tiger,” Osteen said.
Aided by several Golden Eagle penalties, including one on fourth down, the Tigers went on to build a 14-0 first-quarter lead with Thompson connecting with tight end Anthony Smith on a 5-yard touchdown pass and a 65-yard pitch and catch to senior wide out Aja Jones.
Shelbyville eventually go
In addition a 50-yard touchdown reception, senior Jamahl Gentry had 63 yards on 11 carries to lead the Tiger ground game. (Post Photo by Chris Siers)
t on the board with a 5-yard rushing touchdown by Robert Bailey, marking his first of three scores for the hosts.
But even after Bailey’s score cut the Tiger lead to one possession with 9:17 left in the first half, Marshall County showcased its versatility in the run game and marched 68 yards over 10 plays before D.J. Gardner burst into the end zone on a 5-yard plunge to bump the Marshall County lead to 21-7.
Shelbyville again pulled within one score when quarterback Stephen Bobo hit older brother William on an 18-yard scoring toss.
That 21-14 score held through the remainder of the first half.
The Eagles later tied the game on the first drive of the second half on Bailey’s second score of the night, coming on another 5-yard dive into the end zone.
With momentum continuing to shift in the Eagles’ favor, the Shelbyville defense forced a Tiger punt on the first Marshall County possession of the half.
On the very next play from scrimmage, Bobo found a crease and streaked 77 yards on a quarterback keeper, giving the Eagles a 28-21 lead.
But like the Golden Eagles, Marshall County struck back to tie the game at 28 when Thompson hooked up with Jones for a second time on the night, this time coming on a 70-yard score.
The back-and-forth continued into the fourth quarter with Thompson hitting Kel Hightower for an 8-yard touchdown pass, just seven seconds into the quarter.
The Eagles responded with a 13-play drive, highlighted by five carries by Bailey, capped with a 5-yard score to once again tie the game at 35 with 5:21 left to play.
While it was a seesaw affair through most of the second half, Marshall County closed the game with 12 unanswered points on a 50-yard pass to Jamahl Gentry and a 6-yard rushing touchdown by Thompson, following a Golden Eagle interception to set up a short field for the Tigers to put a cap on the night.
After the run game was stymied by Columbia’s stout defensive front a week ago, Marshall County was able to find effective ways to run the ball, notably in the hands of Gentry and Gardner.
“Last week, we never got our running game in rhythm and tonight we found a running game against a good front. D.J. Gardner and Jamahl Gentry both had some really good carries,” Osteen said.
“We played about eight or nine guys on the o-line. When you play that many guys up front and still protect the pocket and get a push in the run game makes you feel really proud.”
Marshall County totaled 105 yards on the ground and were led by Gentry’s 63 yards on 11 carries.
Gardner carried the ball 12 times for 35 yards and a score.
Jones was the top target for Thompson, who made three grabs, two going for touchdowns, for 143 yards, while Ma
Aja Jones makes a catch in the third quarter. He had three total catches for 143 yards and two scores against Shelbyville. (Post Photo by Chris Siers)
rcus O’Neal made four catches for 74 yards.
Bailey was an absolute workhorse for the Golden Eagles, rushing for three touchdowns and totaling north of 250 yards against the Tigers, coming off the heels of a 325-yard, three-touchdown night against Siegel in the 2024 opener last week.
“He (Bailey) has got all the ingredients of a great back—speed and a bunch of power. Their o-line does a great job and they’re coached well. We got a bunch of coaching points in our defensive box to get better before region play begins. Those kids fought all night and when it was bleak, they dug down deep and found a little more and that’s what makes you proud as a coach,” Osteen said.
With two difficult games to open the 2024 schedule, there’s no off-week for the Tigers as Marshall County will open Region 4-5A play at Station Camp next Friday.
“Station Camp is really good. Station Camp is a playoff team. They have two D-I linemen, so it will be another huge challenge for us next week,” Osteen said.
Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. in Gallatin.
Marshall Co. 14 7 7 19 — 47
Shelbyville Central 0 14 14 7 — 35
First Quarter
MC — Anthony Smith 5 pass from Tyler Thompson (Hendrix Kaipio kick), 7:58.
MC — Aja Jones 65 pass from Thompson, (Kaipio kick), :22.
Second Quarter
SC — Robert Bailey 5 run, (Jonathan Betzelberger kick), 9:17.
MC — D.J. Gardner Jr. 5 run, (Kaipio kick), 5:25.
SC — William Bobo 18 pass from Stephen Bobo, (Betzelberger kick), 3:46.
Third Quarter
SC — Bailey 56 run, (Betzelberger kick), 9:50.
SC — S. Bobo 77 run, (Betzelberger kick), 7:50.
MC — Jones 70 pass from Thompson, (Kaipio kick), 7:08.
Fourth Quarter
MC — Kel Hightower 8 pass from Thompson, (Kaipio kick), 11:53.
SC — Bailey 3 run, (Betzelberger kick), 5:21.
MC — Jamahl Gentry 50 pass from Thompson, (Kick failed), 4:25.
MC — Thompson 6 run, (2pt. run failed), 1:19.
