Friday, October 30, 2009
Marshall's season has followed a specific pattern up to this point in its schedule. Loss. Win, win. Loss. Win, win. Loss. Win.
The Mavericks are hoping that pattern stands true, at least for tonight.
 |
After a big 36-30 win over Texas High last Friday, Marshall (5-3, 3-1) has a chance to clinch a playoff berth and at least a share of second place in District 13-4A with a win tonight.
The only obstacle standing in the way of that goal is a defending state champion Sulphur Springs team.
And Marshall would like nothing more than to avenge a 57-36 loss from a year ago.
"If you look at our season, we've had a lot of ups and downs," said Marshall head coach Thedrick Harris, whose team will travel to Mount Pleasant to play Sulphur Springs because of poor field conditions at the Wildcats' stadium. "So we're not going to go into any game overconfident. We've lost some tough ones and we've won some tough ones. We know what we're facing. I think this will be the biggest test of the year up until this point. We have to finish these last two (games) out, and that's what our kids are concentrating on."
The Wildcats (6-2, 2-2) still have much to play for as well, needing a pair of wins in their final to games to seal a playoff bid, although a loss in either of their last two games would not eliminate them from contention.
And much like Marshall, Sulphur Springs is hoping it has momentum on its side after a big 47-7 win over Mount Pleasant last week.
Harris expects their spread offense to present some challenges for his team.
"They do a lot of different things on offense," the coach said.
"Their quarterback (Colton Lee) does a great job of throwing the football. At the same time their running back (Devion Hill) does a great job of running the football. We're going to have to do a great job of tackling. It's going to be a good test for us defensively."
The Mavericks got some practice in that area last week.
Harris said he was pleased with the way his defense played early in the win over the Tigers.
"We did enough early to put pressure on the quarterback and didn't let them throw the deep ball," he said.
"The thing we were able to do was hold them long enough (to build a lead), and we were able to finish them off. That's what I was proud of."
Offensively, seniors Jamal Anderson and J.C. Haigwood paced a strong running game with a pair of 100-plus games, while quarterback Brandon Fitzgerald was efficient, completing all four throws he attempted, one of which went for a score.
Harris said the plan is for the Mavericks to continue using all of their skill position weapons, much like they have all year.
"We're going to continue to pound the football running it, and when we need to throw it, we need to make sure we get it into the right receivers' hands and get it into the end zone," he said.
Above all, Marshall is hoping to string last week's success into tonight. If so, it will lead to their third straight playoff berth.
"It was a great win and a great test for our kids," Harris said. "They showed a lot of character and resilience. It really gives you a boost going into Week Nine," Harris said. "We only have two games left, and we want to finish strong."
Vote for this story!
