Patriots coast to 54-8 district win

It was simply no contest Friday night on Heath Barnett Field.

Marshall Academy hosted West Memphis Christian School to kick off the District 1-3A portion of the Patriots’ schedule, and the game was basically over after one quarter. MA jumped all over the Black Knights, going up 32-8 after the first 12 minutes and coasting to a 54-8 win. Coach Chris Bunio’s team improved to 7-1 with its sixth straight victory.

Devin Snow scored three of MA’s opening-quarter touch-downs, one on a 15-yard reception from Conner Floyd, another on a 47-yard punt return, and the other on an 88-yard kickoff return. Floyd also had an 11-yard quarterback keeper for six. Cashing in two-point conversions were Hunter Brewer, Southern Moore, Hunter Holbrook and K.J. Luse on a pass from Snow.

Marshall added two more touchdowns in the second period, a 15-yard pass from Floyd to Avery Wilbanks and a 17yard fumble recovery for six points by Jase Akins. Cash Redding cashed in a two-point conversion. It was 46-8 at intermission.

MA wrapped up the scoring fest with a 16-yard touchdown run by Savion McGhee in the third quarter. Tyler Wright carried for the two.

Marshall Head Coach Chris Bunio said defensive coordinator Wesley Harris did a great job preparing the defense, which only gave up one touchdown.

The Patriots continued to click on cylinders offensively in week eight of their season. Snow is second in the state, public and private schools, in receiving yards. He could eclipse 1,000 total yards this Friday when Marshall hosts Rossville Christian Academy in a district match-up.

The Patriots will then wrap up the regular season with an October 31 road trip to face district opponent Washington School in Greenville.

Bunio said MA has added Jim Crowder, a former head coach at North Delta School, to its coaching staff to assist on both sides of the football.

This year’s Class 3A playoffs will include Division I and Division II brackets with two state champions crowned. Participants in the two brackets will be decided based on power points, the top four playing in Division I and the next eight competing in Division II.