Warrensburg moved to 2-0 on the young season tonight with a solid victory over Marshall, fueled by a strong second half running attack.
The first half was strange--filled with big plays, big penalties, and wild scoring streaks. Warrensburg scored on its second play from scrimmage on a blown coverage with a long TD pass. Marshall had found itself in the same position just a few plays later, with a wide open receiver streaking down the field. The pass fell incomplete, however, and a few big penalties later, Marshall was forced to punt. There was a flurry of flags for a bit, with penalties being called on four straight plays.
Warrensburg continued to flex its muscle with the outside running game, going up another TD. Marshall ensuing drive resulted in an INT on what seemed to be a screen pass which had the makings of a big play if caught. The Tigers again capitalized; and it was 20-0 Warrensburg at the end of the 1st quarter.
Marshall found its groove in the second quarter with the deep ball, continually throwing the ball up to its talented receivers over the top of the Tiger defense. Meanwhile, its defense began to make adjustments to counter Warrensburg's offense. Back-to-back scores made it 20-12 (blocked PAT and a failed 2-pt try), though Warrensburg answered back with a big play of its own to extend to 27-12. Marshall wasn't done, connecting on a deep TD pass which was deflected by a Warrensburg defensive back, only to fall right into the arms of an Owl receiver perfectly in stride in the endzone. It was 27-19 Warrensburg at the half while everyone stopped to catch their breath.
Warrensburg was stopped on its first possession of the third quarter, and Marshall had a chance to tie the game. Marshall couldn't get anything going either, though, as penalties backed them up and they were forced to punt. The Tigers started to move away from the outside sweeps and instead started finding big success running inside the tackles, eventually scoring with a little over 3:00 left in the 3rd quarter.
That success continued early into the 4th with another TD to make it 41-19. Marshall finally was able to put together a drive and answered to close within 41-27 with 8:00 left. Warrensburg broke another big run to get inside the 10, but fumbled it away a few plays later to breathe life into the Marshall comeback effort, down 14 points with 5:00 left. The Owls were unable to move the chains, had to punt from its own endzone, and that was about all she wrote as the Tigers took over possession near the 30 yard line. Warrensburg tacked on a TD for the final margin of 48-27 to seal a hard-fought victory.
Warrensburg will try to continue its early success next week versus rival Smith-Cotton from Sedalia. Marshall will play its home opener against Mexico next Friday.
The first half was strange--filled with big plays, big penalties, and wild scoring streaks. Warrensburg scored on its second play from scrimmage on a blown coverage with a long TD pass. Marshall had found itself in the same position just a few plays later, with a wide open receiver streaking down the field. The pass fell incomplete, however, and a few big penalties later, Marshall was forced to punt. There was a flurry of flags for a bit, with penalties being called on four straight plays.
Warrensburg continued to flex its muscle with the outside running game, going up another TD. Marshall ensuing drive resulted in an INT on what seemed to be a screen pass which had the makings of a big play if caught. The Tigers again capitalized; and it was 20-0 Warrensburg at the end of the 1st quarter.
Marshall found its groove in the second quarter with the deep ball, continually throwing the ball up to its talented receivers over the top of the Tiger defense. Meanwhile, its defense began to make adjustments to counter Warrensburg's offense. Back-to-back scores made it 20-12 (blocked PAT and a failed 2-pt try), though Warrensburg answered back with a big play of its own to extend to 27-12. Marshall wasn't done, connecting on a deep TD pass which was deflected by a Warrensburg defensive back, only to fall right into the arms of an Owl receiver perfectly in stride in the endzone. It was 27-19 Warrensburg at the half while everyone stopped to catch their breath.
Warrensburg was stopped on its first possession of the third quarter, and Marshall had a chance to tie the game. Marshall couldn't get anything going either, though, as penalties backed them up and they were forced to punt. The Tigers started to move away from the outside sweeps and instead started finding big success running inside the tackles, eventually scoring with a little over 3:00 left in the 3rd quarter.
That success continued early into the 4th with another TD to make it 41-19. Marshall finally was able to put together a drive and answered to close within 41-27 with 8:00 left. Warrensburg broke another big run to get inside the 10, but fumbled it away a few plays later to breathe life into the Marshall comeback effort, down 14 points with 5:00 left. The Owls were unable to move the chains, had to punt from its own endzone, and that was about all she wrote as the Tigers took over possession near the 30 yard line. Warrensburg tacked on a TD for the final margin of 48-27 to seal a hard-fought victory.
Warrensburg will try to continue its early success next week versus rival Smith-Cotton from Sedalia. Marshall will play its home opener against Mexico next Friday.
