Tot Gardner picks up a block and dashes forward for a first down. He totaled four touchdowns and 261 yards to lead Marshall County on Friday night. (Post Photo by Chris Siers)
By CHRIS SIERS
csiers@bedfordcountypost.com
LEWISBURG — What started as a shootout in the second-round of the Class 4A state playoff matchup between Marshall County and Dyer County turned out to be a showcase in flexing the strengths by the superior team.
The home-standing Tigers pitched a shutout through the final three quarters and leaned on the potent ground game, spearheaded by sophomore tailback Tot Gardner to lead Marshall County to a 41-14 win over the Dyer County Choctaws to advance to the Class 4A state quarterfinals.
Rodner Rogel celebrates after coming up with a fumble recovery in the second half against Dyer County on Friday night. (Post Photo by Chris Siers)
It wasn’t a flashy start, or an overwhelming dominance from the get-go that got the Tigers on track to their third-straight third-round appearance of the Class 4A state playoffs—just a steady focus in the run game and a defense that bowed but never broke after the first quarter.
“Hat’s off to Dyer County. That’s a good football team. They hit us in the mouth early. Really proud of our kids and coaches for making a few adjustments and bowing our backs. As the game went on, we left no doubt who the most physical team was,” Tiger coach Thomas Osteen said.
No doubt was left after the first quarter.
Dyer County was able to build a 14-7 lead through the first quarter, relying on its ability to convert on third downs, despite the Tiger defense forcing the Choctaws into third and longs throughout the first quarter.
After Dyer County scored on its ope
Tiger quarterback Tyler Thompson keeps his balance and scrambles forward for a first-down pickup. (Post Photo by Chris Siers)
ning possesion, coming on a Keaonthony Barbee four-yard run after draining nearly four minutes off the clock, Tiger sophomore Tot Gardner needed just one play from scrimmage to knot the game and seven.
Gardner found a crease and streaked down the field between the hashes for 73 yards on the first offensive play of the game for Marshall County to deadlock the score at seven, following Rodner Rogel’s successful kick after.
Although Barbee found a second score late in the first quarter, Marshall County answered with a lengthy drive of its own and despite being outscored 14-7 in the first quarter, the Tigers marched to the Choctaw seven-yard line before time expired in the opening quarter.
Two plays later, Gardner plowed his way into the end zone from five yards out to notch his second rushing touchdown of the night.
And from that point on, the Tigers went on to score an unanswered 27 points to punch their ticket to the third-round of the Class 4A playoffs.
Gardner’s banner night highlighted the Marshall County offense, tacking on two more rushing touchdowns of 16 and 10 yards to put a bow on a banner night.
Gardner was the
Kel Hightower goes full extension and hauls in a dime from quarterback Tyler Thompson. (Post Photo by Chris Siers)
workhorse out of the Marshall County backfield, totaling 261 yards on 27 carries, totaling four rushing touchdowns.
“Anytime you can run the ball like that, you give yourself a chance to win the game,” Osteen said.
Osteen was quick to credit his offensive line for creating the running lanes for the running game to flourish in the second-round game.
“It’s the best offensive line we’ve had in four or five years. They’re playing great as a unit. We’re playing about eight or nine guys and staying fresh up there. We pride ourselves on being physical,” Osteen said.
Tiger quarterback Tyler Thompson was equally effective through the air, completing 15-of-23 attempts for 212 yards, with a touchdown and an interception.
Kaiden Harris made four grabs for 89 yards and a 64-yard touchdown reception to break open the game in the third quarter.
Following Friday night’s win, Marshall County now gets to face Pearl-Cohn in the third round for the third-straight season.
“We’ve been in dogfights with them for the eight years now. The best part is, we’ve got a lot of kids who have played in those dog fights and they know the effort it’s going to take to give us a chance next week,” Osteen said.
The Tigers will host the Firebirds on Friday night at Preston Hopkins at 7 p.m.
Dyer Co. 14 0 0 0 — 14
Marshall Co. 7 13 13 8 — 41
First Quarter
DC — Keanthony Barbee 4 run, (Jotham Powell kick), 8:22.
MC — Tot Gardner 73 run, (Rodner Rogel kick), 8:01.
DC — Barbee 1 run, (Powell kick), 3:29.
Second Quarter
MC — Gardner 5 run, (Rogel kick), 11:16.
MC — Kaiden Harris 64 pass from Tyler Thompson, (2pt. run failed), 3:25.
Third Quarter
MC — Thompson 3 run, (2pt. run failed), 8:26.
MC — Gardner 16 run, (Rogel kick), 3:03.
Fourth Quarter
MC — Gardner 10 run, (Marks Mitchell 2pt. run), 9:31.