Marcus O’Neal caught a 6-yard touchdown pass from Tyler Thompson to open the scoring on Friday night. He made seven receptions for 85 yards and had one rush for 29 yards as well. (Post File Photo by Chris Siers)
Senior Jamahl Gentry had six carries for 46 yards to lead the Tigers on the ground on Friday. (Post File Photo by Chris Siers)
STAFF REPORT
GALLATIN — The Marshall County Tigers (3-0, 1-0) have been as battle-tested as anyone through the first three weeks of the season.
With hard-fought wins against athletic Columbia and Shelbyville Central teams, the Region 5-4A opener at Station Camp (0-3, 0-1) was dominant way to open the region slate, with a 40-7 blowout win against the Bison.
The Tigers relied on stellar nights on all three sides of the ball, with junior quarterback Tyler Thompson tossing four TDs and completing 18-of-22 attempts for 223 yards.
The balance spilled into the run game, as the Tigers’ running back by committee combined for 140 yards.
As efficient as the Tigers’ offense was, the defensive effort was just as impressive to open the region schedule.
The Marshall County defense bottled up Colton Overby, who completed just 3-of-11 attempts for 51 yards.
He also led the Bison ground game with six carries for 43 yards.
The Tigers needed less than five minutes to get on the board before Thompson connected with Marcus O’Neal on a 6-yard pass for the first score of the night.
After leading 7-0 through the first quarter, Marshall County flexed its offensive muscle and found the end zone three times, with Thompson tacking on two more touchdowns, including a rushing and passing score.
He scored on a 1-yard run with 5:59 to go in the half before senior tailback Jamahl Gentry scored on a 33-yard run barely a minute later.
Thompson connected with Kel Hightower on the first of two touchdowns with 25 seconds left in the half to bump the Tigers’ lead to 28-0 at the intermission.
Not much changed in the second half as Thompson connected with Hightower on a 46-yard touchdown pass and finished his night with a 14-yard strike to senior Aja Jones.
Gentry led the Tiger ground game with 46 yards on six carries.
Thompson distributed the ball evenly throughout the Tiger receiving corps, connecting with O’Neal seven times for 85 yards and Jones five times for 67 yards.
Marshall County will return home to Preston Hopkins Field on Friday night and will host Greenbrier for the first of two-straight home region matchups.
Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
Marshall Co. 7 21 12 0 — 40
Station Camp 0 0 0 7 — 7
First Quarter
MC — Marcus O’Neal 6 pass from Tyler Thompson, (Hendrix Kaipio kick), 7:33.
Second Quarter
MC — Thompson 1 run, (Kaipio kick), 5:59.
MC — Jamahl Gentry 33 run, (Kaipio kick), 4:41.
MC — Kel Hightower 13 pass from Thompson, (Kaipio kick), :25.
Third Quarter
MC — Hightower 46 pass from Thompson, (2pt. run failed), 9:43.
MC — Aja Jones 14 pass from Thompson, (Kick failed),
SC — Leyton Lassiter 13 pass from Colton Overby, (Gavin Hastings kick), 8:53.
