Marshalltown football had some explosive offensive plays Friday night.
However, the Bobcats were unable to consistently stop Ottumwa from doing the same in a 42-28 loss to the Bulldogs at Leonard Cole Field.
“We just didn’t play well enough,” Marshalltown head coach Adam Goodbin said. “They were making more plays than us, so…we were just trying to figure out what we could do to stop them.”
Marshalltown fell to 0-5 for the first time since 2013. Ottumwa is off to its best start since 2001 at 5-0 and is one of two undefeated teams remaining in Class 5A.
The Bobcats’ final touchdown of the night came on a halfback pass from Kyle Smith to Aiden Smitherman for a 54-yard score with 8:32 left in the game, making it a two-touchdown game. Ottumwa ran out the clock with subsequent attacks, but Jamison Niehaus recovered a fumble with less than three minutes left to give Marshalltown life.
Ottumwa ended that hope with an interception of Parker Darby on the next snap from scrimmage, and the Bulldogs clinched the victory after getting the first down they needed to siphon a timeout from the Marshalltown sideline.
During Friday’s explosive play, two second-half interceptions and several too many pre-snap violations prevented Marshalltown’s offense from finding its flow.
“We had no rhythm at all in this game. It was very tough,” Goodbin said.
Ottumwa took the lead on Matthew Mitchell’s 4-yard touchdown run with 5:18 left in the first quarter.
MHS responded with a 91-yard kickoff return by Sam Griesel, who faked a reverse to Smitherman and took it 6 yards down the Ottumwa sideline.
The Bulldogs returned the haymaker on the next play from scrimmage with a 74-yard touchdown run by Koby Chantalavan to make it 14-7.
Marshalltown added another point on its next drive, with Tyler England’s 39-yard run scoring the sophomore’s first touchdown of the season, ending the eight-play drive tied 14-14.
Ottumwa held the ball for most of the second quarter, including two touchdown drives, taking a 28-14 advantage at halftime.
Marshalltown’s first attack of the second half ended with a high snap on a punt attempt, followed by a block on a scramble to get the punt off, setting up Ottumwa’s short field and another quick touchdown to make it 35-14. .
The Bobcats quickly responded with another hook-and-ladder play as Jacob Hayes completed a short pass to Zane Moore, who sent a lateral pass to England, who scored a 46-yard rushing touchdown. , totaling 52 yards on the play. .
England had seven carries for 93 yards and two scores on Friday.
“We knew we had some plays that weren’t super high risk that could light a fire under us,” Goodbin said. “And I’m proud of how they executed those things because it seemed like everyone did their job tonight.”
On the next drive, the MHS defense forced a punt out from Ottumwa, but the Bobcats came back with an interception inside Ottumwa’s territory.
The Bulldogs faced Marshalltown for the fourth time in a row early in the fourth quarter, but Chantaraban’s run gained 28 yards inside the Marshalltown 10, and the next two plays gave Ottumwa its final score of the night. Obtained.
“We really had to stand up there and make some tackles for a little win or loss,” Goodbin said. “I don’t think (Chantaraban) was touched for 10, 15 yards. All 11 guys weren’t always chasing the football tonight. There were some guys expecting other guys to make plays, but that kind of stuff. I can’t do that.”
Goodbin said he was pleased with the Bobcats’ willingness to try to make something happen in the fourth quarter, even if it wasn’t enough in the end.
Waterloo West (4-1) comes to town next Friday for homecoming.
“Tonight was a step forward in terms of our effort and enthusiasm and what we’re aiming for,” Goodbin said. I’ll be back to work from Monday. ”
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