MAVERICKS SLASH BOBCATS IN HALLOWEEN SHOWDOWN
Hallsville looked like they were going to use some offensive tricks to treat themselves to a Halloween upset of Marshall during the first half of Friday's key district match-up.
However a scary-good second half by the Mav defense and a slashing offense lead Marshall to a 47-17 victory.
The Bobcats opened the game with an impressive 72 yard drive that took 8;39 off the clock. While the Maverick defense bent, they held Hallsville to a 20 yard field goal and a 3-0 Bobcat lead.
Marshall would need just one play to find pay-dirt as QB Alton Henderson raced 58 yards to give the Mavs a 7-3 lead with 3:02 left in the first.
Hallsville would again catch the Mav defense snoozing as they used a 65 yard pass to get to Marshall 10 yard line. They would take a 10-7 lead just a few plays later.
The Mavs would then grind out another drive to score as Marshall would take a 13-10 lead after the PAT was no good with 10:13 left before halftime.
Hallsville had a heavily penalty-assisted drive that put the Bobcats inside the Marshall 20 yard line again midway through the second. They again found the endzone for a 17-13 lead with 5:57 before the intermission.
The Mavs would once again have an answer as they would take a 20-17 lead with 1:57 left in the half.
It looked like Marshall would add to their lead just before halftime as they took a Bobcat punt and drove inside the Hallsville 20 with less than 30 seconds left in the period.
Four attempts at the endzone came up short as the Mavs would have to settle for the 20-17 lead.
Hallsville had an eye-popping 262 yards in the first half.
The second half would turn into a nightmare for the Bobcats as Marshall would take control of the game.
The Mavs would open the third quarter with a 66 yard drive that would increase their lead to 27-17 with 8:02 showing on the clock.
Hallsville would start their first possession of the half in great position at their own 45, but the Marshall defense would stiffen and force a punt.
Marshall's offense would again grind out a long drive, this time 68 yards, for a 33-17 lead with 4:21 left in the third.
The Bobcats would again be forced to punt and the Marshall offense would put on a clinic as they would pass and run past the Bobcats for a 40-17 lead with 11:47 left in the game.
The Mavs would cap the scoring for the night to make it 47-17 with 4:43 left.
Marshall would end the game taking a knee deep in Bobcat territory to secure the win.
The Mavs improve to (7-2) and (4-1) while Hallsville falls to (2-7) and (2-3).
Marshall finished
the game with 455 yards. 351 on the ground and 104 passing.
Henderson had 212 on the ground
Five different players scored touchdowns for Marshall.
Hallsville finished with 239 yards passing and had a net 0 yards rushing on the game for a 239 yard total.
The Marshall defense held the Bobcats to 11 yards in the second half.
The Mavs will close out the regular season next week hosting Whitehouse for senior night at Maverick Stadium.
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