Patriots finish as state runners-up

Marshall Academy scored first but the rest of the night didn’t go their way.

The Patriots fell 35-10 to Kirk Academy in the Class 3A state championship game played Thursday at Jackson Academy.

Head coach Ben Durham said the players on the 2024 edition of MA football can hold their heads high, particularly focusing his thoughts on his 10 seniors.

“When I came three years ago, this group had some talent but didn’t seem to have the drive to accomplish the goals we had set,” he said. “But over time, the bond kept growing. They got focused on the right things. We finished 10-4 and state runners-up. I’m just proud of them.”

Marshall got a 31-yard field goal from the foot of Noah Olguin with 3:04 left in the first quarter.

The Raiders scored their first touchdown two minutes later and never looked back. Completing an undefeated season, they went up 14-3 at the half and added a third-quarter touchdown and two more in the fourth.

The Patriots’ only touchdown of the night came with 47 seconds remaining in the game. Brennan Smith threw to Devin Snow over the middle for a 34-yard score.

Marshall led in time of possession by eight minutes and ran 63 offensive plays to Kirk’s 43 but couldn’t cash in drives. The Patriots also committed four turnovers.

“We ran the ball OK early,” Durham said, “but we just couldn’t make enough plays to drive down and score. They (the Raiders) are just big and physical, and they really beat us up as the game went along.”

Kirk picked up 201 yards on the ground and finished with 270 yards of total offense. The Patriots had 109 passing and 108 rushing for 217 total.

Ashton Curtis and Jay Walker each had six tackles for MA. Walker forced two fumbles, and Curtis forced another on a sack.

“We will have 10 starters back next year off one of the best defenses in the state,” Durham said. “And offensively, I think we will have a tremendous amount of skill players back, great wide receivers and a couple of good running backs.”