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Football: Marcus kicks it up a notch in regular season finale
By Justin Thomas, jthomas@starlocalnews.com
CARROLLTON — With each passing game, Marcus’ offense is looking more and more like that of seasons past.
Friday’s District 5-5A finale against Hebron was a typical Marauder effort.
Marcus (4-6, 2-3 in district) grinded out 289 yards on the ground as a team and held the Hawks (6-4, 3-2) scoreless in the second half as the Marauders picked up a 27-10 victory.
The Hawks will be the runner-up in Division II from the district and will take on an opponent to be determined.
“We just needed a little time and luckily we’ve bought ourselves a little more time now,” said Bryan Erwin, Marcus head coach. “We’re having fun now. These guys are loving each other and we just want to enjoy every minute we have left. Tonight, we wanted to be physical and execute and bring it to [Hebron]. I thought we did that.”
Running back Court Prescott carried 40 times in the win for 217 yards and a touchdown in addition to throwing for a touchdown pass. Mark Demery chipped in 52 yards on eight attempts, including a 22-yard touchdown run in the final two minutes, as well as an 11-yard rush on third-and-long that moved the Marauders in position to kick a field goal to push the lead to 20-10 with 4:55 remaining in the fourth quarter.
“Mark has gotten better over the last three or four weeks and has really improved,” Erwin said. “He’s a junior and we’re looking for big things from him next year. I was proud to see him make and a make a play and be explosive. He’s a great kid and we need that from him.”
The Marauders were able to overcome 10 penalties for 115 yards. Hebron wasn’t immune to mistakes either, racking up 50 yards on penalties in the final two quarters. The Hawks had just one first down in the second half as Marcus controlled the clock until running back Vandy Parkes picked up the necessary yardage to move the sticks on a reception on fourth-and-six with less than five minutes left in the game.
Hebron quarterback Brian Dean completed 13-of-20 passes for 123 yards, while Parkes gained 117 yards on 16 carries to go with a team-high four catches for 42 yards.
Each team chewed up yardage on the ground in the first half as both Prescott and Parkes went over the century mark for their respective teams.
The former was a workhorse, toting the ball 21 times in the first two quarters. But it was Prescott’s arm that actually provided Marcus with its lone touchdown of the half when he connected with Brian Bowling on a halfback pass on fourth-and-four from the Hebron 15-yard line.
“The running game has been great and helps out the defense a ton,” Erwin said. “I thought the opening drive of the second half was big when we were facing first-and-20 and we were able to convert. We end up going on about a 7-minute drive there and scoring and that was huge. I thought all three phases played well and this was a great team victory. I’m very proud of our players.”
Parkes racked up his yardage via the big play, galloping 73 yards — using a spin move to get into the open field — on the first play from scrimmage following a Marcus turnover on downs to put the Hawks in front, 10-3, with 9:45 remaining in the second quarter.
“We played well defensively other than that one play,” Erwin said. “We missed a couple of tackles and we just have to find a way to get them on the ground. But our guys prepared defensively and played great.”
Each team also drove into opposing territory on their opening possessions but had to settle for field goals.
Marcus got as deep as the Hebron 4-yard line on its first drive before settling for a 22-yard field goal from Tyler Mouton, while the Hawks penetrated to the Marcus 3-yard line before knotting the game, 3-3, on a 24-yard field goal by Joel Carlos.
Dean was also efficient through the air in the first half for Hebron, completing all five of his passes for 63 yards, including two apiece to Riley Ransom and Parkes.
Now both teams shift their attention to the postseason.
“We’re going to prepare hard and enjoy every minute we have,” Erwin said. “And we’re going to expect to win when we get there.”
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