Dayton Thurgood Marshall (4-0) scores 56 unanswered points in rolling past Chillicothe (1-3).
Chillicothe came out of the locker room playing with more confidence than they have at the start of other games this season, and rode that will on a 15 play, six minute drive for a 6-0 lead. However, a wave of scoring by the Cougars turned into a 42 point second half.
The result… Marshall 56, Cavaliers 6.
Starting at the Chillicothe 12, Ryan Mathis executed a near flawless opening drive. On first down, Mathis hit Adam Bixler for a seven yard gain, then Bixler lateralled the ball to Tim Bear for another seven yards and Chillicothe moved the chains. The Cavs lost ground on just one play and converted on 4th down to keep the drive alive. Mathis pitched to Beard who froze defenders with a pump fake and raced 7 yards for the game’s first score.
Marshall didn’t waste time scoring. It took three plays to tie and add the PAT, en route to a 56 point run.
Vayante Copeland raced 54 yards to set up the go ahead TD.
The next five series included two Chillicothe punts, two Marshall fumbles and a Cavalier fumble which led to a 6 yard Marshall TD.
With time running out on the game’s first half, Chillicothe stopped quarterback Jai’Mahri Manley shy of the goal line to head into the break with a 14-8 lead.
The second half was all Cougars who tallied 470 yards rushing. Copeland led all runners with 281 yards on 20 carries. Copeland scored three of the Marshall touchdowns.
The Cavs had 36 carries for just 100 yards. Marshall held the Cavs to 192 total yards.
Tim Bears lead the Cavs with 69 yards rushing and Chillicothe’s only touchdown on the game.
The Cavs are 1-3 heading into their battle at DeSales Friday night.
