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Tuesday, February 9, 2010 |
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Marion drops opener to Randolph 13-6
Published August 30, 2009
MARION — For the past few months, the town of Marion has been missing two very important things — football and rain. On Friday night, it was treated to both.
As the welcome precipitation showered the Bulldog faithful, many wondered how the team would fair with a largely new and inexperienced roster. After an encouraging 6-4 record in 2008, the Bulldogs brought back only seven starters from last season’s squad and turn the offense over to speedy, yet inexperienced junior quarterback Sean Hesler.
But after two very promising scrimmages in the past two weeks, the new-look Bulldogs and their fans were anxious and ready to start the season in the competitive ranks of Class 3A.
Marion (0-1) took to the soggy field against the Randolph Ro-Hawks (1-0) and immediately displayed their tough defensive front by forcing the opposition to punt after three unsuccessful running plays. The Marion defense would continue to stifle the Randolph offense by shutting down the run for much of the first quarter.
The Bulldogs’ offense, however, did not fare as well, as it turned the ball over on its first play courtesy of a bad snap. Then, after going three-and-out and punting on their next offensive possession, Marion’s inexperienced secondary was exploited by the Ro-Hawks for a 53-yard reception that brought them within six yards of the score.
Randolph would run the ball in on the following play and put its team up 6-0 after missing the extra point with 28 seconds remaining in the first quarter.
The Bulldogs had no desire to stay behind, and after a stellar kickoff return by junior Ethan Koch, Marion sat in fantastic field position to begin the second quarter.
On the first play of the period, running back Doug Giles rushed the ball 36 yards and dove into the end zone to tie the game at 6–6. After unsuccessfully attempting a two point conversion, the Bulldogs then recovered a fumble on the ensuing kickoff, placing them, once again, in their opponent’s red zone.
Nevertheless, the sloppy field conditions lead to even sloppier play, and Marion was unable to convert on four downs, allowing Randolph’s offense to regain possession with the clock running towards halftime.
Ro-Hawks quarterback Matt Atwell would use his time and talent wisely, completing several passes to several different receivers and moving the ball into favorable position with the clock running down. But after a bobbled snap and a crushing hit by defensive tackle Michael Woodward, Atwell was left limping and out of position for a score.
Marion, however, was once again unable to convert on offense and went into the second half tied with its opponent — without having gained a single first down on offense.
When asked how the weather played a factor in his team’s performance, head coach Glenn Davis emphasized, “The condition of the field had nothing to do with the way we played tonight. We did not execute and that’s it.”
Marion quarterback Sean Hesler started the second half by completing a 20-yard pass to senior Gabe Arroyo that moved the offense into Ro-Hawk territory and finally gave the Bulldogs a much-needed first down. However, Randolph would intercept the next pass on a ball tipped by the receiver to put a stop to the drive almost as soon as it started.
The Marion defense continued to fight back, though, and with a strong pass rush forced a fumble that would send the game to the third quarter still tied at 6-6.
After moving the ball sparingly on quarterback draw plays, the Marion offense relinquished the ball to the Ro-Hawks and returned to the field on defense. Over the next six minutes, Randolph moved the ball on the ground and through the air into the Marion red zone — where they were forced to convert a third-and-short and a fourth-and-inches, while also overcoming a fumble and a 15-yard penalty.
The Ro-Hawks finally broke through with 4:32 left on the game clock on an end-around play to a wideout. After a successful PAT, the score now favored the visitors 13-6 — but with plenty of time remaining.
On the resulting kickoff, the Bulldogs would return the ball to the 40-yard line before fumbling it directly into the hands of a Randolph player, giving the ball right back to the Ro-Hawks’ offense. Over the next four minutes Marion would not recover, and though the Bulldogs were given one more possession, their inability to move the ball resulted in yet another turnover on downs to end the game.
“It’s disappointing after playing so well in those previous two scrimmages to come out here and not execute,” Davis said. “We wanted to pass and we couldn’t get our offense going at all. As much as I hate to say it, I think our inexperience showed a bit out there and we made a lot of little mistakes that really cost us. All we can do now is come back next week ready to do better and get set for Pearsall.”
Marion will travel to Pearsall Friday to face the Mavericks at 7:30 p.m. at Mack Laxson Field.
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