It was business as usual Friday night as the Marshall Mavericks cruised to a 35-7 win over their cross-county rivals from Hallsville.
The win clinched a playoff spot for the Mavs, their 11th playoff season in the last 12 years and their 17th time to make the post season in the last 21 years.
The win improves Marshall to (7-2) on the season and (4-1) in district play. The Mavs can clinch a home playoff game in the regular season finale Vs. Whitehouse.
Hallsville dropped to (3-6) and (2-3) in district play.
The Mavs came out of the locker room fired up as they marched the length of the field and capped it off with a 30 yard run by Semaj Gatson for a 7-0 lead with 10:16 left in the first quarter.
Marshall's defense forced the Bobcats to punt on their first possession and the Mavs would once again go downfield for the score as Isaiah Bush rushed 20 yards for a 14-0 lead midway through the first.
Early in the second quarter Bush found the endzone for the second time in the game for a 21-0 lead.
Hallsville finally showed some signs of life as they crossed into Maverick territory just before the intermission, but the Marshall defense stopped them at the 44 yardline on 4th down to end the threat.
The passing game got into the groove just before halftime as quarterback Alton Henderson found Raijon Sims for a 25 yard touchdown pass and a 28-0 lead.
After halftime the Mav defense continued their domination by partially blocking a punt to set the offense in great shape. Marshall would cash in with the score to makee it 35-0
Hallsville finally found the endzone in the fourth quarter to make it 35-7. It snapped an 11 quarter shutout by the Maverick defense.
That would be the final score of the night as Marshall's bench finished out the game.
Isaiah Bush finished the night with 132 yards rushing.
Semaj Gatson had 128 yards on the ground as well.
QB Alton Henderson finished the night going 5-10 for 92 yards.
Wide receiver Tyler Johnigan had 2 catches for 65 yards on the night.
Marshall finished the game with 288 yards rushing and 92 passing for a total of 380 yards.
The Mavs will close out the regular season on the road in week 11 with a crucial game against the Whitehouse Wildcats.
A win will clinch a home playoff game for Marshall in the first round of the playoffs.
Hoho