Kobe Alexander, 15, of Marietta carries the ball during Friday’s game against Point Pleasant. (Photo provided by Mike Morrison)
The Marietta Tigers honored their 15 seniors Friday night prior to their Twin State League showdown with Point Pleasant at Don Drum Stadium, followed by a 24-3 victory celebrated.
The Tigers were clicking on all cylinders and dominated the game from start to finish to keep both their playoff chances and TSL title hopes alive.
Senior running back Seth Britton rushed for 163 yards and the Tiger defense completely stifled the Big Blacks’ offense, which scored 44 points in last week’s win over Warren.
“We’ve had two heartbreaking losses to local teams in the last two weeks (Fort Frye and Williamstown) and we had a game this week that was a little bit heartbreaking.” Tiger head coach Jason Schaub said. “We had probably the best week of practice all year, and the kids responded really well and I’m very proud of their effort.”
Marietta put together a 16-play, 78-yard opening drive, capped off by a 14-yard touchdown pass from senior Drew Worden to junior Owen Riley, setting the standard for what was to come.
Marietta’s Owen Riley runs after a catch during Friday’s game against Point Pleasant. (Photo provided by Mike Morrison)
The Tiger drive took nearly seven minutes to keep the normally potent Big Blacks offense off the field.
Marietta’s defense forced Point Pleasant into a three-and-out on its first possession of the game, but came up empty on its second possession of the first half.
The Tiger defense again rose to the occasion, forcing the Big Blacks to punt twice in a row.
The Tigers took possession at their own 37-yard line and methodically moved the ball deep into Point Pleasant territory.
When the drive stalled at the 3-yard line, Schaub elected to deploy a field goal unit and senior Braxten Lang made a 20-yard field goal to extend the lead to 10-0.
Marietta’s Isaac Klingworth, 59, blocks Seth Britton during a carry during Friday’s game against Point Pleasant. (Photo provided by Mike Morrison)
Point Pleasant finally began to show some glimmers of explosiveness on the next series, quickly moving the ball into the opposition’s territory thanks to long runs from scrimmage by Isaac Creel and Connor Hutten.
Marietta’s defense came up with a big play, but with the ball at its own 21-yard line, Brayden Prowler stripped Creel of the football and Riley quickly scooped up the loose ball and was in the right spot at the right time to make it 55. We ran a yard race. He ran several yards down the field before being tackled at the Big Black’s 24-yard line.
Warden connected passes to senior Carson Chavez and Riley to move the ball to the 5-yard line, from where Britton dashed into the end zone to cap off the drive and give the Tigers a 17-0 lead.
Point Pleasant finally got a chance to play when kicker Alex Schrader made a 41-yard field goal as time expired in the first half.
The Big Blacks held the ball until the start of the second half and got several first downs, but a personal foul penalty set them back 15 yards and ultimately forced them to punt.
Will Tones, 22, of Marietta returned a punt in Friday’s game against Point Pleasant. (Photo provided by Mike Morrison)
The Tigers are known for long, tough drives that take up a lot of time and usually result in a score, and that was the case on their first drive of the second half.
Marietta took possession of the football at its own 13-yard line with eight minutes left in the quarter. After starting the drive with an incomplete pass by Warden, the Tigers executed the in-t to perfection, running the ball 14 times in a row before junior Kobe Alexander dove into the end zone from a yard out, scoring just 1. They had a 24-3 lead in points. There are 13 ticks left in the third quarter.
Schaub heaped praise on the play of his offensive line, led by junior center Teddy Bauer, who won the war in the trenches from start to finish.
“We knew Point Pleasant was going to be a big, physical player up front.” Schaub said. “I have to give a lot of credit to the big boys up front because they were outstanding and won the line of scrimmage the entire game.”
Point Pleasant needed to score in a hurry, but the Tigers’ defense rose again and a big tackle by Alexander for a loss forced the ball back to punt.
Alexander found an opening and blasted Creel in the backfield for a 3-yard loss.
“I’m very proud of our entire defense. It was a great play by Kobe.” Schaub said. “It’s a credit to our entire defense that we were able to hold a team that scored 40 points last week to only three points.”
From there, the Tigers continued to keep away from Point Pleasant’s offense as the running back duo of Britton and Alexander got first down after first down to keep the chains and clock moving.
Britton had a memorable game in his final game at Don Drum Stadium.
“This is one of the biggest victories Marietta football has had in a while.” said Britton. “Our line is great and we beat guys in front of us. Those are the guys.”
The win ensures the Tigers will finish the season with a winning record, making next week’s regular season finale against arch-rival Warren a huge contest for both a share of the TSL title and a chance to make the playoffs.
“To play both TSL and the playoffs and against our biggest rivals, nothing could be bigger.” Schaub said. “I told the kids to enjoy tonight, and we just have to get through it and have another really great week of practice.”
Bauer feels the Tigers are peaking at the right time.
“We went into this game knowing they were a really good team, so it was a great test for us.” said Bauer. “This was huge in keeping us in the playoff picture and everyone really wanted it. We were really locked in.”
Marietta totaled 64 plays in the game compared to just 30 for the Big Blacks.
Worden completed 7 of 12 pass attempts for 94 yards, and Riley had three catches for 56 yards.
Alexander ran the ball 19 times for 65 yards.
Creel led Point Pleasant with 65 yards rushing on 12 touches.
The Big Blacks (3-3) will play for a share of the TSL crown when they host Fort Frye next Friday.
The game featured Tiger seniors Britton, Skilla Adams, Junior Bass, Warden, Brody Alexander, Chavez, Eastin Tucker, Lang, Brian DePuy, Charlie Merrill, Dakota Jackson and Isaac Klintworth. , Blake Bills, Aiden Wilkinson and Grady’s final home game. heart line.
“Our seniors really helped change the culture and led us to our first six-win season in 23 years.” Schaub said. “I’m very happy for the children.”
