Owls tune up for 2008 grid opener

Some of Marshall's young running backs, like sophomore Isiah Keith, showed flashes of potential during the scrimmage at Maryville. (Chris Allen/Democrat-News) [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo]

The Owls moved the ball on offense and were generally sound on defense, except giving up big plays at least once in each of the three segments -- one of them for a touchdown and two others putting opponents close to the goal line.

"Not bad," assessed MHS head coach Paul Thomas. "I thought we gave effort."

Evaluating what it means is difficult since Class 4 Marshall faced three Class 2 foes: Maryville, considered by some a state title contender, Carrollton -- which only played its junior varsity against the Owls' youngsters -- and South Harrison.

Marshall stopped the Spoofhounds twice -- once on downs and the next time on a fumble recovery by junior John Van -- before senior John Farmer beat the cornerback for a 61-yard touchdown bomb from senior Joe Jasinki.

"That's not bad," Thomas said. "That's coachable stuff, stuff you can work on on film."

The Owls didn't score, but then again Maryville never stopped them.

Senior fullback Cody Hodges picked up first downs on a tough 8-yard inside run and 10-yard swing pass from senior Marty Kays.

Junior Matt Buford ran three times for 8 yards as Marshall pounded the ball to the 'Hound 30-yard-line before a sack on the 12th and final play of the period, the only time the Owls failed to gain positive yardage.

"I liked the fact that we controlled the football," Thomas said. "That's what we have to do."

The play of Marshall's JV against the Trojans' reserves was spotty: a couple of nice stops by senior Michael Holder followed by solid gains -- including a 24-yard run by sophomore Eric Colborn on the next-to-last play, reaching the 8-yard line.

On the final snap, though, junior Kevin Benton forced a Colborn fumble and senior Keonte Ward tackled him at the 1 to prevent a score.

"We've got to learn to play every snap hard and not take a play off," Thomas noted.

It was against Carrollton that the Owls had their only touchdown, as Benton flashed his speed on a 52-yard run.

Marshall, once again playing its projected starters, got off to a rocky start against the Bulldogs -- senior quarterback Marty Kays dropping a snap for a turnover on the second play. However, Hodges' 8-yard run and Kays 3-yard plunge resulted in the first of three first downs.

Hodges had a 12-yard catch and Buford ran for 12 yards during the set. On defense, the Owls -- with mostly reserves on the field -- yielded a 50-yard pass to senior Danan Knott on the ninth play. That got the 'Dogs to the 1-yard line, but an illegal procedure penalty and three attempts which went nowhere kept them out of the end zone.

The scrimmage probably didn't make much difference in the starting line-up for Friday's season opener against Midland Empire Conference power Chillicothe -- the renewal of a rivalry which has been dormant some 20 years -- especially since a half-dozen expectant starters didn't suit up due to prevent aggravating minor injuries.

"We needed to play a lot of kids," Thomas said. "We know who our starters are."