Bank of Holly Springs

Marshall survives at Kirk

• District title game up next

Marshall Academy left Grenada Friday night with a gutsy, crucial win over rival Kirk Academy.

The 21-18 victory sets up a showdown this Friday night at West Point versus Oak Hill Academy for the District 1-4A championship.

“We took Kirk’s best shot, and we survived,” said Tony Banks, head coach of the Patriots. “If Kirk would have won, they would have been district champs. Plus, it was their home field and their homecoming.

“I’m really proud of our guys. They faced adversity and won a very big football game.” The Patriots seemed to be in control at halftime, leading 14-0. The touchdowns came on Landon Houston’s 2-yard quarterback keep in the first period and a 53-yard pass play from Houston to Vincent Wang in the second. Houston kicked both extra points.

“We got a big penalty before halftime,” Banks said. “It should have been 21-0.” The momentum swung on the second-half kickoff.

Kirk speedster A.J. Wren returned it 80 yards for a touchdown. MA blocked the extra-point try.

“We accidentally kicked it to number 2, and he took it to the house,” Banks said.

The Raiders continued their rally, adding two more scores in the third quarter to go ahead 18-14. Colbert Hathcock threw to Richard Flautt for a 31-yard touchdown, and Wren darted 52 yards for a touchdown. Both two-point tries were stopped by the Marshall defense.

In the fourth, with good field position, Houston led a drive for the game-winning touchdown. He scored on a 9-yard run with 4:13 remaining.

“The rains came, and we just directsnapped it to Landon (Houston) on that drive,” Banks said. “We were picking up 4, 5 and 6 yards a play. We did what we had to do to win the football game.”

The Marshall defense, as it has all season, turned in a solid performance. Its biggest stop came in the fourth, after the offense got the lead back.

“We played lights out defense again in this game,” Banks said. “Except for two plays (Kirk’s two offensive touchdowns), we kept them in check all night.”

MA was able to run out the clock on its last possession. On third down, utilizing a run-pass option play, Houston found Jimmy Morales for a 28-yard gain that clinched the clock expiration.

“We didn’t execute as well as we wanted in the second half,” Banks said. “We had some turnovers (two fumbles lost). But we made the plays when we had to. I think we can grow from this one. We answered the bell.”

MA finished with 300 yards total offense. Colton Neal had 75 yards rushing and Jack Smith 70. Houston was three of 11 passing for 131 yards. In addition to big catches by Wang and Morales, Hayes Henry had a 40-yard reception.

The Marshall defense held Kirk to 125 yards in total offense. Neal led the defense with five tackles.

The Patriots (7-0 overall and 3-0 in the

district) travel to face the Oak Hill Raiders (4-5 overall and 2-1 in district) this week. Game-time is 7 p.m. In West Point with the district title on the line. Oak Hill is coming off 42-24 win over non-district opponent Central Holmes Christian School.

“Oak Hill is a good football team, and we will get their best shot,” Coach Banks said. “They throw the football a lot. We have to make some corrections this week and be ready to play at a high level.”

The district champion will get a firstround bye in the playoffs, which begin the following Friday, Oct. 29.

Holly Springs South Reporter

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