The Tyler High used a number of big offensive plays to secure a 42-27 win over Marshall in the season opener Thursday night at Rose Stadium. The Lions had touchdown plays of 69, 65, 61, and 58 yards. The Mavs hung tough and only trailed by 1 point with headed into rhe final quarter. However, Tyler's offense was too much on the night.
Dave Campbell tapped the Mavs for fourth place in their new district. Terrell is their favorite for the District Championship followed by Texas High. Mount Pleasant has been picked for third and Marshall for fourth. Should the prediction hold, it would be the lowest finish for Marshall since 2020. The Mavs have been the #2 seed for the last five consecutive seasons.
The Tyler High used a number of big offensive plays to secure a 42-27 win over Marshall in the season opener Thursday night at Rose Stadium. The Lions had touchdown plays of 69, 65, 61, and 58 yards. The Mavs hung tough and only trailed by 1 point with headed into rhe final quarter. However, Tyler's offense was too much on the night.
WEEK 1: MARSHALL Vs. TYLER HIGH
MAV COMEBACK BID COMES UP SHORT AGAINST TYLER LIONS IN SEASON OPENER
PHOTO CREDIT GEOFF MCKAY PHOTOGRAPHY
When two rivals share 118 years of football history between them, you expect things to be fun, exciting, and intense. All three were true Thursday night at Rose Stadium as Marshall faced off against the Tyler Lions.
The game was ugly from the start for the Mavs as they went three and out on their first possession of the season. A shanked punt then put the Lions on the Marshall 25 yard line to start their game.
Tyler fumbled away the ball, but the Mavs weren't able to do anything for their second possession. After another punt and nice return the Lions were again set up deep in Marshall territory at the 32.
The Mav defense got their second turnover in two drives with a huge pick six for 78 yards as Marshall took a 6-0 lead with 6:10 left in the first quarter. The PAT was no good.
On a 3rd and 11 the Lions got a 60 yard TD run to take a 7-6 lead with 4:56 left in the first.
Another Marshall punt set the Lions up for another huge offensive play with a 69 yard run and a 14-6 lead with 2:01 showing.
Yet another Marshall put had Tyler at their own 42. A 57 yard TD pass made it 21-6 and it appeared the route was on.
The Maverick offense finally got things going in the second quarter with an impressive drive that cut the THS lead to 21-13 with 7:50 before halftime.
Tyler had an answer of their own with another TD pass, this time for 22 yards to make it 28-13.
Marshall was looking to make it 28-20 game just before halftime, but an interception killed the drive.
The Mavs did piece together a quick drive just before the break to get a field goal to pull with 28-16 headed into the intermission.
The third quarter started with a an errant snap over the punter's head for Tyler. He kicked the ball out of the back of the endzone for a safety as Marshall pulled within 28-18.
Following the free kick, the Mavs put together another impressive drive that ended in a touchdown to make it a one possession game. Tyler was clinging to a 28-25 lead.
Another poor snap for a punt for Tyler lead to another kick out of the endzone for the second safety of the game and all of a sudden Marshall was within 1 point of the Lions, 28-27 with just over a minute left in the third.
Marshall's next possession resulted in a punt and Tyler made the Mavs pay as they had another long score on a 65 yard TD run. The Lions took control again 36-27.
The ensuing Marshall drive ended with an interception. The Lions had another long play with a 40 yard TD run to make it 42-27 with 11:03 left in the game.
In the span of a little over a minute the game had gone from a 1 point game to a 14 point deficit.
The Mavs couldn't muster any more offense on the night to make it interesting towards the end.
Running back Doug Johnson finished with 128 yards on 21 carries for 2 scores.
Marshall rushed for 200 yards on the night.
The Mavs had 13 yards passing with two interceptions.
A total of 213 yards on the night.
Tyler had 125 yards passing and 306 rushing for a total of 431 yards.
Marshall will be on the road for the second week in a row as they travel to take on the Longview Lobos.
WEEK 2: MARSHALL Vs. LONGVIEW
MAVERICKS PREPARE TO FACE THEIR ANCIENT RIVALS FROM GREGG COUNTY
PHOTO CREDIT GEOFF McKAY
The Mavericks enter the second week of the season preparing for what is most likely the best team they will face all season.
A daunting task as Marshall (0-1) is coming off a wildly disappointing loss to to Tyler last week while Longview (1-0) is coming off a dominating win over Lufkin.
Marshall's offense struggled to amass only 213 total yards last week against the Lions while surrendering over 400 on defense.
Meanwhile Longview steamrolled Lufkin to the tune of 59-0; a game the Panthers were never competitive in.
Marshall has not beat Longview since 2015 and hasn't won at Lobo Stadium since 1998.
The Mav defense played well in a 21-7 loss to the Lobos last season. However, the Marshall offense was shut down all night long by a swarming Longview defense.
Check out the GAMEDAY tab for a preview of this game later in the week.
DISTRICT 6-5A WEEK ONE WRAP-UP
The regular season got underway for everyone in 6-5A this week with the district coming away with a mixed bag of results.
Texas High beat 6A Tyler Legacy 35-26 in a game that was back-and fourth most of the night. The Tiger offensive line took control of the game in the second half to assure the win for Texarkana.
Mount Pleasant made easy work of their rivals from Sulphur Springs in a 38-14 blow win.
Terrell got a tough win over Arlington Seguin in a high scoring 49-41 affair.
Whitehouse also opened the season with an impressive 37-14 win over 4A Chapel Hill in another rivalry game.
4A Athens dominated Nacogdoches 40-21.
Greenville fell short to 4A Kaufamn in 48-45 barn-burner.
Lindale bombed Hallsville 37-3
--------------------
Week two has a bevy of interesting games to look forward to.
Texas High will travel to the metroplex to take on 5A Wylie East.
Mount Pleasant will be at Sunnyvale
Terell will host powerhouse Argyle
Hallsville will take on Kaufman on the road.
Whitehouse will travel to 4A Lindale.
Greenville will take on Quinlan Ford.
Marshall will face Longview.
Nacogdoches will face off against Lufkin.
