The Blue Jays dominated Reeds Spring, posting a 52-13 Central Ozark Conference football victory at Marshfield High School’s R. A. Barr Athletic Stadium Friday night.
Marshfield improved to 2-1 with their conference opening victory. Reeds Spring fell to 0-3.
The Blue Jays will travel to Rogersville for the annual Battle for Webster County on Friday Sept. 22.
Marshfield fell behind Reeds Spring, momentarily, when the Wolves scored on the second play from scrimmage with a 35-yard pass play from quarterback Ben Manlove to Owen Allphin. Greg Bentrup booted the point after to put the visitors on top 7-0 just over a minute into the game.
Marshfield would own the rest of the game.
Senior Kolten Frazier returned the ensuing kickoff 79 yards for a Marshfield touchdown as the Blue Jays special teams was impressive. James Reese booted the point after to tie the game at 7-7 just over a minute and a half into the game.
The Marshfield defense went to work, forcing a 3-and-out, and the Blue Jays offense were the beneficiaries of excellent field position.
Marshfield marched 46 yards to pay dirt with 7 running plays, a drive capped off by a 1-yard TD run by senior Jordan Theobald. Theobald gained 18 yards on four carries during the drive. Reese booted the PAT to put Marshfield on top for good, 14-7 with 5:23 remaining in the first period.
The Marshfield pass rush recorded a pair of sacks, by Chris Bigley and Shane Harms, respectively, forcing a Wolves punt from the Reeds Spring end zone. That punt was partially blocked, and Marshfield took over at the Wolves 22.
Theobald posted runs of 16, 3 and 3 yards to reach pay dirt with 2:33 still remaining in the opening period. Reese kicked the extra point to give Marshfield a 21-7 lead.
The Marshfield defense applied pressure to the Wolves quarterback just six plays later which led to an intercepted pass by sophomore James Washburn. Washburn returned the pilfered pass 38 yards to give Marshfield a first down at the Reeds Spring 18.
Marshfield running back Zach Reed gained 14 yards on 3 carries to set up Theobald for a 4-yard TD run with 11:12 to play in the second period. Reese kicked the point after to put the Jays on top 28-7.
Reeds Spring put together a strong offensive drive after the ensuing kick off by Reese pinned the Wolves at their own 10. Reeds Spring drove 90 yards on 12 plays, getting run of 22 and 14 yard from Zach Hoyt, and a 12-yard TD scamper from Manlove with 6:00 remaining in the first half. The point after kick failed, leaving Marshfield on top 28-13.
After the teams exchanged punts, with Blue Jay punter Chris Bigley booming a 43-yard kick, the Marshfield defense stopped Reeds Spring on a 4th-and-1 play in the final moments of the first half, at the Wolves 29. That led to a TD run of 11 yards by Zach Reed with 1:41 to go, and Reese hit the PAT to put Marshfield up 35-13.
Sophomore Cody Brown intercepted a Wolves pass in the final minute of the first half, giving Marshfield a first down at the Reeds Spring 17. A 14-yard pass play from Marshfield quarterback Justin Drane to Shane Harms set up a 25-yard field goal by Reese with just 7.6 seconds to go.
Marshfield recovered a fumble on the ensuing kick, and Reese got another field goal attempt as time expired, but missed from 44 yards out.
In the second half, the Marshfield defense got a 55-yard fumble recovery for a touchdown from Washburn with 9:27 remaining in the third period. The Blue Jays defense also got a pass interception from Cody Greninger, which led to a 5-yard TD pass from Drane to Cameron Keenan, who played quarterback, wide receiver and defensive back for the Jays in the contest. Reese hit the PAT to account for the final 52-13 score, and a Marshfield lead which led to a running clock the rest of the contest.
