Bulldogs cruise in NCMC opener

The Marshall Owls came into Friday nights North Central Missouri Conference opener feeling pretty good. Sitting at 2-1 on the season, the Owls were looking to gain some traction in their NCMC opener against Mexico, and they started the game well. Marshall took the opening kickoff and promptly drove 73 yards in 10 plays and taking 5:44 off the clock. They punched the ball into the end-zone on a two-yard dive from senior running back Jordan Jackson. The extra-point attempt may have been an omen of things to come as it was no good.

Mexico responded with a 32-yard kick return by Drew Demint that set the Bulldogs up at their own 43-yard line. Four plays later they were in the end zone, as it was DeMint with the big blow, a 48-yard scamper on 4th-and-1 and Mexico had tied it at six. The extra-point by Charlie Fisher was good and the Dawgs never looked back.

The Mexico defense held Marshall in their next possession on a 4th and 3 at the Mexico 23. Then it didn’t take long for the Bulldog offense to score again as they were hitting on all cylinders all night long. This time it was Fisher on a 67-yard option scamper off the right side, that he busted back up the middle, ran over the safety and outran the defense for another TD. Extra-point was good and Mexico led 14-6 after the 2-play drive that went 78 yards in :34.

Marshall’s third possession was a three-and-out that ended with a 14-yard punt and set up Mexico in great field position.  Starting at their own 48, Mexico looked like they scored on their second play when Demint went off the right end, hurdled a man, outran a defender to the sideline, broke two tackles down the sideline and appeared to have scored a 55-yard touchdown. Except, for the flag for hurdling a player. Personal foul, 15-yards. So, it took the Bulldogs seven plays to drive the 52-yards to the end zone. Mexico hit pay dirt on a 10-yard option play off left end by Fisher. Mexico 21, Marshall 6.

The Owls next possession was another three-and-out that ended badly when the punter held onto the ball too long and then tried to run it. The Mexico defense was ready and got the ball deep in Marshall territory after the turnover on downs. Four plays and 26 yards later Ayden Geers got on the scoreboard with a 1-yard dive up the middle. Extra point good. Mexico 28, Marshall 6.

The Owls final possession of the first half started at their own 35-yard line. Once again Marshall had some success driving the ball, but facing 4th-and-four at the Mexico 37, quarterback Chase Thompson threw a desperation heave toward the end zone. The ball was underthrown and Mexico cornerback Korbyn Dorsey recovered in time for the interception.
MHS sat on the ball and went to the half leading 28-6.

MHS Head Coach Steve Haag said he was happy with the way the team responded after the Owls scored first.  “Faced a little adversity there. They went down and scored, so how are you going to respond? and we got into a 4th and one and Drew took it on the dive and went the distance,” he said.

Haag said after the game he was a little worried about Marshall being a trap game after the  team played so well against state-ranked Odessa last week.

The second half kick went to the Bulldogs and Mexico started at their own 33, after a 21-yard return by DeMint. It took just 6-plays and 67 yards in 2:40 for the Dawgs to cash in again.  Fisher had the big play of the drive with a 27-yard run that set up Dorsey’s lone score of the night from 5-yards out. Mexico quickly led 35-6 just minutes into the third quarter.

Marshall then threatened as they drove all the way down to the Mexico 14 , on a 14-play drive that fizzled out when Thompson was sacked on 4th and 7.

Mexico then went three-and-out and were forced to punt for their first, and only, time of the night.

The Owls responded with their best drive of the second half, but the Mexico defense made them work for it. Marshall went 42 yards in 14-plays and took 6:57 off the clock, as they scored on a 6-yard scrambling pass play in the left corner of the end zone.

A successful onside kick gave Marshall fans some hope, but three plays later Thompson threw his second interception of the game as Fisher picked him off down the left sideline.

Mexico started this, their last drive, in good field position at the Marshall 44. Eight plays and 5:15 later Fisher threw his first touchdown pass of the night as he hooked up with Kaden Benne for a 1-yard TD pass in the left flat. Extra point good and Mexico held on for the 42-13 final.

After the game, Haag said he felt his team has played well since the opening half against Centralia. “I don’t thing we’ve done anything different tonight than we’ve done in the past three and half games,” he said. “We ran the ball well. We were dominate up front.  Overall, played well defensively, played well offensively and you know that shows in the score.”

Unofficially, Mexico finished with with 293 yards rushing on just 29 carries. The quarterback, Fisher led all rushers with 5 carries for 110 yards and two TD’s. Haag liked what he saw from his senior quarterback. “We were able to get the option established,” he said. “Fisher running the ball opens up our offense so much.” Fisher also was 3-for-4 passing for 49-yards and a touchdown.

Demint had five carries for 82-yards and a TD. Conner Fisher had five carries for 37 yards. Geers had four carries for 25-yards and a TD. Dorsey had six carries for 25-yards and a TD and Marshall Ball had four carries for 14 yards.

Mexico improved to 3-1, 1-0 in the NCMC with the win. Marshall fell to 2-2, 01 in conference play. Mexico faces a showdown with Hannibal next week at Hawthorne Heights. You can hear all the the action on AM 1340 KXEO.