MARSHALL
MAVERICKS
642 ALL-TIME WINS
MAVS ONE YARD SHORT IN HEARTBREAKER
MARSHALL FALLS TO CRANDALL IN PLAYOFF THRILLER
PHOTO CREDIT: GEOFF MCKAY OF MARSHALL NEWS MESSENGER
Marshall has had some heartbreaking playoff losses through the decades:
Dallas Carter in the 1988 5A quarterfinals when Jessie Armstead hauled in a pass to win 22-19 with 17 seconds left.
Ennis in the 2004 4A Division I state championship when a blocked punt for a safety cost the Mavs a state championship 23-21.
Huntsville in the 2018 5A region semifinals when a 2 point attempt fell short and the Mavs lost 35-34 instead of advancing to the state quarterfinals.
You can add Crandall in the 2022 5A Bi-district round when the Mavs were stopped on the 1 yard line as time ticked away in a 48-47 loss.
The loss ended Marshall's season at (6-5) while Crandall advanced to Area at (9-2).
The game was played in a cold and wet Maverick Stadium with temps in the low 40's with a driving rain throughout.
The first quarter set the stage for how the game was going to go as 35 points would be scored between the Mavs and the Pirates.
Marshall jumped out to a 7-0 lead just 1:04 into the game, but Crandall answered 1:58 later to tie the game at 7-7.
It was a track meet as the first stanza ended with Crandall leading 21-14.
The Pirates extended their lead to 35-21 late in the second half as it looked like things were slipping away for the Mavs.
But Marshall kept battling and scored with :15 seconds before halftime to cut the deficit to 35-27.
However...... Crandall pulled a miracle score with no time left to go back up 41-27.
The Mavs came out in the second half and immediately started chipping away at the Pirate lead, pulling within 41-34.
An interception by the Mav defense lead to the tying score...making it 41-41 late in the third.
Marshall finally regained the lead 47-41 with 11:15 left in the game.
Crandall would find the endzone to take a 48-47 lead with 2:05 left in the game.
The Mavs would drive down to the Crandall 2 yardline. As time was ticking away, Marshall would be stopped at the 1 yard line to preserve the 1 point win by Crandall.
COACH ALVAREZ PUTS STAMP ON TEAM
FUTURE LOOKS BRIGHT FOR MARSHALL MAVERICK FOOTBALL
PHOTO CREDIT: GEOFF MCKAY OF MARSHALL NEWS MESSENGER
Head Football Coach and Athletic director Jack Alvarez came to Marshall and put his own personal stamp on the team in his first season.
He brought his hybrid Wing-T offense with him and the Maverick players took it and ran with it fervently. Marshall averaged almost 35 PPG for the regular season and over 40 PPG in district play and the playoffs.
Marshall was (4-2) in district play and finished in second place in 8-5A.
The junior Varsity also finished in second place in district, going (5-1).
Marshall was in the playofffs for the 9th time in the last 10 seasons and for the 15th time in the last 19 seasons.
Coach Alvarez and the Mavs will be looking to take another step forward in 2023 by becoming playoff contenders.
The Mavericks will have important peices returning next season, while welcoming some fresh faces from the sub-varsity rosters.
Stay tuned during the offseason as we highlight some of the talent that will be on display next fall for Marshall.
THANK YOU MAVERICK PLAYERS, COACHES, STAFF, AND FAMILY for an exciting 2022 season. And here's to looking forward to all the BIG THINGS that are headed our way in the future.
PREPARATION FOR 2023 UNDERWAY
MAVS BUSY PREPARING AS SPRING APPROACHES
There is no off season when it comes to Texas High School football.
Since the Mavericks bowed out of the playoffs in 2022, players have been busy preparing for the upcoming 2023 season.
The Maverick Powerlifting team has been busy with meets all over East Texas this winter.
Other Mavs have been preparing for the upcoming Track and Field season, where Marshall is expected to challenge for the district championship.
Several Mav football players have been participating in basketball, while others will be participating in baseball.
Head football coach Jack Alvarez has not announced dates for spring practice at this time, but most 5A and 6A programs see the drill span from April to May.
Following spring drills Marshall is expected to participate in 7 on 7 league play as well as state qualifying tournaments for the summer state title.
Keep up with the latest in Maverick Football news here and in the MAVERICK MESSAGE FORUM found HERE.
