A key sack by Kaelon Cox forced the Buffalos into a desperation heave on their final play, falling incomplete to seal a 38-34 Manvel victory Sept. 20 at Hall Stadium.
The Mavericks improved to 4-0 overall, including 1-0 in the District 11-5A Division II opener for both teams.
It was Manvel’s third victory in four years against Marshall as district opponents. The winner has won the district each time.
“It’s a really big win,” Cox said. “Marshall’s coming in 3-0. We’re coming in 3-0. In the district, people say it’s us and them No. 1 in the district. Now that we accomplished the goal, we fought hard tonight, it feels really good.”
At the outset, Marshall (3-1, 0-1) appeared primed to repeat last year’s 52-51 breakthrough victory against Manvel.
An unblocked sack by Frank Miller and Warren Robinson, a touchdown catch by Devon Achane, and third-and-long followed for Manvel on its next drive.
But a one-handed catch on the sideline by Jalen Paxton was the first of three third-down conversions, including Jalen Walthall’s touchdown.
It was a sign of things to come as the Mavericks hit their stride in the second quarter.
Marshall made two special teams mistakes in the first half. The first, a kickoff recovery downfield by Manvel, did not hurt due to a strip sack by Quincy Blair.
But a bad snap on a punt set up the Mavericks at the six-yard line. Donavan Eaglin gave Manvel a 14-7 lead early in the second.
Marshall answered with a touchdown by Malik Hornsby, who kept the drive alive with a fourth-down run.
But Manvel covered 59 yards on five plays, three first-down runs preceding an 11-yard touchdown from Tucker Yarbrough to Paxton.
The Mavericks used a 39-yard catch by Walthall to set up Yabrough’s third touchdown pass of the half. Zion Johnkins’ 25-yard catch produced a 28-14 halftime lead.
Achane, who scored seven touchdowns against Manvel last year, opened the second half with a 63-yard run.
But the Mavericks responded with their fourth straight scoring drive, covering 83 yards. Yarbrough was clutch again on third down, adding a fourth-down run to set up a 31-yard sprint by Jordon Vaughn for a 35-20 lead.
“I was extremely concerned coming into the game that we weren’t going to be able to run the ball,” Manvel coach Kevin Hall said. “We replaced 10 guys on offense this year. I saw both of our running backs, Donavan Eaglin and Jordon Vaughn, really become warriors tonight. It’s because our offensive line did such a great job.”
The Mavericks added a fourth-quarter field goal after recovering a muffed punt. The 38-20 advantage proved just too much for Marshall, despite an impressive rally.
Achane made a diving catch on fourth down and scored five plays later after a spin move on a 17-yard touchdown.
Manvel appeared to put the game way, but a 50-yard run was called back due to holding. Christian Jackson recovered a Mavericks fumble on the next play.
Two plays later, Achane tiptoed into the corner of the end zone for a 19-yard touchdown to bring Marshall within 38-34.
“After that long drive they scored to make it 38-34, everybody’s head was just down,” Cox said. “I told my teammates ‘pick your heads up, the game’s not over.’ It’s a dogfight. Who’s going to be the bigger dog?”
The Buffalos drove from their own 12 into Manvel territory on their final drive but came up short.
Hall credited Marshall coach James Williams and his staff following the game, acknowledging how competitive the series has become.
“It’s an honor to play them,” Hall... Click here to read full article
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