MARSHALL BEATS TYLER HIGH IN BARN BURNER AT ROSE STADIUM
- Mavchamp
- Aug 30
- 3 min read
The Marshall Mavericks opened the 2025 season against their oldest rival in the program's history as they took on the Tyler High Lions at Rose Stadium.
The series, which dates back to 1908, staged yet another classic at the historic venue.
In 2023 Tyler High and Marshall battled in an epic 5-OT marathon that saw the Mavs fall 38-36 on a failed 2-point conversion.
Two years later....Marshall converted that 2 point conversion to seal a thrilling 43-42 road win in a back-and-forth contest.
Marshall opened the game with a 60 yard kickoff return to set up their first possession at the Tyler 29 yard line. The Mavs took advantage of the short field and punched it in on 7 plays to take a 7-0 lead with 7:30 left in the first.
After forcing a Tyler punt, Marshall had a chance to add to their lead, but a Mav fumble lead to a 20 yard scoop and score for Tyler to tie the game 7-7 with 5:53 showing in the opening quarter.
The third Mav possession of the game started at their own 37 yard line and it took only 3 plays to go 63 yards as QB Alton Henderson would cap it off with a 17 yard run to take a 14-7 lead with 4:45 left.
Tyler would then start at their own 31 before marching 69 yards to knot the game up at 14-14 late in the first stanza.
Marshall would fail on a 4th and 4 near midfield, giving Tyler the ball at their own 46. The Lions would take advantage with a 54 yard drive on just 5 plays to take a 21-14 lead with 7:26 left in the half.
After trading punts, Marshall would take their final possession of the half at their own 30. Henderson would find WR Jamarion Sparks for 47 yards to get down to the Tyler 16. Denijh Montgomery then scampered 16 yards for the touchdown and the 21-21 tie with 2:10 left in the second.
Tyler opened the second half with an impressive 15 play drive that went 81 yards and took 5:18 off the clock for the 28-21 lead.
After a Marshall punt, the Lions got a huge 66 yard touchdown pass that gave Tyler a 35-28 lead with 2:13 left in the third.
The Mavs would not be outdone with big plays as Montgomery would jet for 57 yards down to the Tyler 13. Henderson would cap it off with a 5 yard run to pull Marshall within 35-28.
After the Mav defense forced a Tyler punt, Marshall took over at their own 31. QB Alton Henderson would find the thunder again with an incredible 59 yard touchdown score to tie the game 35-35 with 9:24 left in the game.
The Lions would once again have a big play answer of their own with a 49 yard touchdown run to give Tyler the 42-35 lead with 8:33 remaining.
Marshall would then go on an impressive drive that would see them overcome not one, but two 4th downs. The Mavs would punch it in to pull within 42-41 with 1:57 left in the contest. Instead of going for the PAT kick and the tie, Coach Hammett elected to go for the two points conversion.
On the two point try QB Henderson found a wide open Russell Crawford for the conversion and the 43-42 lead.
The Lions would make it interesting however with less than 2 mins left on the clock.
Tyler drove down to the Marshall 42 yard line and would have a chance at a Hail Mary with only 3 seconds left on the clock.
The Lion WR was open, but the pass was overthrown for the incompletion and the Maverick Victory.
Marshall finished the night with 437 yards.
QB Alton Henderson had 215 yards rushing on 22 carries for 4 touchdowns. He was also 5-14 passing for 102 yards.
RB Denijh Montgomery had 116 yards on 16 carries and 2 scores.
WR Russell Crawford had 4 catches for 56 yards with the 2 point conversion catch.
Jamarion Sparks had 1 catch for 47 yards.
Tyler finished the night with 425 yards. 305 passing and 120 rushing.
The Mavs (1-0) beat Tyler (0-1) for the third time in four seasons in the season opener since the series was revived in 2022.
It was the 89th game in the series.
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