Patriots win big on Senior Night

Marshall Academy made short work of Rossville Christian Academy Friday night at home.

The Patriots scored on three pass plays during an eight-minute span and added two rushing touchdowns, all in the first half, and won their seventh straight, 36-0 over the Wolves from neighboring Tennessee.

“Our defense did a great job, too, and got the shutout,” head coach Chris Bunio said. “I thought we played a complete game. We’ve got one more (regular season game) and then it’s playoff time.”

Devin Snow, needing just 36 yards to reach 1,000 receiving on the season, got that on MA’s second offensive play. Savion McGhee’s interception halted Rossville’s first possession, and then Conner Floyd threw quick over the middle to Snow, who broke free for 88 yards and a touchdown. Ashston Franklin added the two-point conversion.

The same Floyd to Snow connection tallied six more points with 1:51 left in the first quarter, this time from 13 yards out. Franklin again ran for the two.

Marshall’s Dom Green got a 12-yard sack on a Rossville fourth-and-10 try early in the second quarter. On the next play, Floyd lofted a deep pass for McGhee, who got behind the defense and made the catch for a 56-yard score. MA led 22-0.

The Patriot defense continued to stand tall, and the offense tacked on two more touchdowns prior to intermission. One came on Floyd’s 3- yard quarterback keeper and the other on Franklin’s 23-yard carry. Franklin also cashed in a two-point conversion after Floyd’s score. The 36-point lead on Senior Night started the non-stop clock with 3:22 left in the first half.

The second half clicked away quickly with no points scored.

The Patriots travel to Washington School in Greenville Friday night with the District 1-3A championship on the line. Both teams are 8-1 overall and 2-0 in district play.

The Wolves, 4-5 overall and 0-2 in the district, will visit district opponent West Memphis, Ark., Christian School Friday night.

There will be two state champions this year in Class 3A. The top four teams, based on power points, will go into the Division 1 bracket, and the next eight will be featured in Division 2.