Marshall defeats Walnut 36-16

Marshall welcomed Walnut High School to town on September 23 for a Mid- South Association of Independent Schools/Mississippi High School Activities Association showdown.

The Patriots, who continued their win streak, were ready to add another game to the spot, and what better way to do it than on homecoming.

The Patriots had a solid overall team effort Friday, cruising to a 36-16 win.

Quarterback Brody Whitaker had a big night with 245 all-purpose yards, two passing and a rushing touchdown. “I’m not sure I have ever experienced a homecoming like Marshall! Marshall does it differently! So going into the game, I was nervous. I kept asking myself how they would handle all the distractions.

“Well, obviously, the players were locked in,” said coach Ben Durham about his team’s big victory. “Our offensive line led the way with seniors Omarion Tipler and Shuan Brown throwing some great blocks. I also thought sophomores Rhyder Rippee, Chris Soriano and Zachary Bogard did a great job.”

Durham said Brody Whitaker had a big night running and passing. “I thought we spread the ball around,” Durham said of his defense, “We had to switch some things around. We had a key player get banged up. So we had kids step up.”

Durham said Trevor Knox had a good night with ten tackles. “

I also thought Eli Gurley played well with seven tackles. Then Antione Vaughn keeps getting better and better with five tackles,” he said.

“It was a great night to be a Patriot. Everyone got to play, and it was an early night.”

The Patriots will turn their attention to Lee Academy for a vital district game on September 30 as they try to keep the strategic wins to five in a row on September 30 in Clarksdale.