D.J. Gardner and Kel Ford celebrate after Gardner’s touchdown in the second quarter. (Post Photo by Kacy Kincaid )
By KACY KINCAID
Sports Writer
LEWISBURG — The Marshall County Tigers extended their perfect season to 9-0 on homecoming night with a 54-18 victory over the Whites Creek Cobras (4-6, 1-5) in a Region 5-4A matchup.
“We’ve won a big region football game to go 9-0,” said Marshall County head coach Thomas Osteen.
“You always want to play your best, and I don’t think we played to our standards the entire night and that’s how it goes sometimes. Proud to be a 9-0 football team, proud of this group. I hope our best football is still ahead.”
Despite a shaky start, the Tigers quickly found their rhythm.
The game opened with both teams struggling to settle in, but the Tigers struck first.
Quarterback Tyler Thompson ignited the offense, connecting with Kel Hightower and Aja Jones for two key touchdown passes, giving Marshall County an early 13-6 advantage.
With momentum
Kel Hightower stretches into the end zone for a touchdown. Hightower had two touchdowns on the evening. (Post Photo by Kacy Kincaid)
building, D.J. Gardner powered through the Cobra defense for a 4-yard touchdown, extending the Tigers’ lead to 20-6 after the extra point.
Whites Creek attempted a comeback, driving from their own 15-yard line into Tiger territory.
However, the Cobras were forced to punt.
Senior Marcus O’Neal returned the punt for a touchdown to push the lead to 27-6.
The Cobras didn’t back down.
Battling through a tough fourth-down situation, they made it to Marshall County’s 5-yard line, where Jocquais Covington dashed into the end zone.
A missed 2-point conversion left the score at 27-12, with 3:40 left in the half.
As time ran down, the Tigers looked for one more score before the break.
A clutch pass to O’Neal put them in the red zone, and with just a single tick left on the clock, Thompson surged forward on a quarterback keeper.
Luis Gonzalez split the uprights, sending Marshall County into halftime with a comfortable 34-12 lead.
Marshall County wasted no time maintaining control in the second half.
A 43-yard run from O’Neal set up Jaden Keys for a 9-yard run to the end zone just 18 seconds into the third quarter, widening the gap to 40-12.
Moments later, the Tigers capitalized on another drive deep in Cobra territory.
Keys added a 14-yard gain, followed by a 5-yard scoring run from Thompson to bring the lead to 47-12.
The Cobras showed resilience, but a Kaiden Harris interception halted their progress, giving possession to Marshall County heading into the fourth frame.
Thompson again connected with Hightower on a 9-yard touchdown pass, with Gonzalez’s reliable kick stretching the lead to 54-12 with 9:25 left to play.
Still fighting, Whites Creek managed a final drive.
Quarterback Deon Barnes found De’aries Holland on a 36-yard touchdown pass, but their 2-point conversion attempt was snuffed out by the Tigers’ defense, solidifying the final score at 54-18.
“We did a bunch of good things tonight, but we didn’t play well enough to beat a great team,” said Osteen. “That was the message. Obviously, Pearl Cohn’s the defending state champions. It’ll be physical and fast. We’ve got to play our best in every phase to give ourselves the chance to win it, and we have to be the most disciplined team, the most mentally tough team. Nobody tries you like that like a great team. What a great opportunity we have next week, and we’re going to see if we can put our best foot forward.”
Marshall County will host Pearl Cohn on Thursday night at Preston Hopkins Field. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. as the Tigers aim to continue their undefeated run.
Marshall Co. 7 27 13 7 — 54
Whites Creek 6 6 0 6 — 18
First Quarter
M – Tyler Thompson pass to Kel Hightower (Luis Gonzalez kick), 6:14
W – De’aries Holland 88 run (run failed), 4:59
Second Quarter
M – Thompson pass to AJ Jones (run failed), 10:56
M – D.J. Gardner 4 run (Gonzalez kick), 8:19
M – Marcus O’Neal 29 run (Gonzalez kick), 5:10
W – Jocquais Covington 5 run (run failed), 3:40
M – Thompson 11 run (Gonzalez kick), 0:01
Third Quarter
M – Jaden Keys 9 run (run failed), 11:42
M – Thompson 5 run (Gonzalez kick), 9:29
Fourth Quarter
M – Thompson pass to Hightower (Gonzalez kick), 9:25
W – Deon Barnes pass to Holland (run failed), 5:30
*Stats Courtesy of WJJM
