Click here to listen to rebroadcast of the game
Click here to listen to postgame interview of coach Randolph
Marshfield hosted the Monett Cubs last night in a great high school football game. These two teams are both very good football teams and here is how it went.
There was a defensive war in the first quarter as neither team allowed a score. In the second quarter Monett was able to get a little momentum and found a seam in the Blue Jays defense. The Cubs were able to exploit that seam for a touchdown, but your Jays blocked the extra point attempt. 6-0 Cubs.
After a blocked punt, Monett had a short field by getting the ball at Marshfield 23. It took only one carry for the Monett team to find the end zone. The Cubs converted on a 2 point conversion making the score 14-0.
Monett looked like they might be able to put it into cruise-control as they again stopped the Jays and the offense for the Cubs was set to drive again.
The Marshfield defense came alive in the last 2 minutes of the first half and forced a fumble. Hildebrand recovered and then, with a 1st and 10 from the 18, Hildebrand did it with the run. Keenan handed off to Zach and he had a fantastic run as it took 6 different Monett players to finally drag him down. The play made 16 yards making it 1st and goal from the three. Reed was able to punch it in making it 14-6. The extra point failed short. The score was 14-6 at the half.
To start the second half it was the return team and Hildebrand again. Hildebrand took the 2nd half kickoff at the 10 and busted down the far sideline for a 73 yard return. That gave the offense the ball at the 17 yard line of the Cubs. Keenan faked the handoff to Brown and when the defense bit, Keenan was able to scamper in for the touchdown untouched. Marshfield went for two to tie up the game, but the Monett defense refused to break. The score was 14-12 with all but the first minute to go in the second half.
The Marshfield defense played the best half of football I have ever seen. They absolutely shut down the number 1 team in Class 3 A for the rest of the game. Monett only had 5 first downs in the game.
In the fourth quarter, Marshfield had the chance to win the game. With 4:13 on the game clock, Marshfield had the ball 1st and 10 from the Monett 15. From there, every Marshfield coach and fan will replay the game over and over in their minds.
On first down, we lost 2 yards. 2nd and 12…we go for the kill…the pass to Bigley was broken up in the end zone. 3rd and 12. Marshfield runs a reverse and Dinwiddie had only one man to beat, he was forced out of bounds, then the flag. Everyone thought the call was going to be taunting by the Monett player who was in the face of the Blue Jay…….the call… Unsportsmanship Conduct—-Marshfield.
4th and 28 from the 33.
No longer in field goal range, we went for it and they stopped us.
The defense once again held, giving us one last chance, but the Monett Cubs stopped the Jays and survived. Final score 14-12.
Here are a few quotes about the game that I overheard after the game and on the news that I felt I needed to share with you.
“I think both of these teams come out of this game still feeling good about their chances for this season”—Ky3 Joe Hickman (who was at the game)
“Fantastic game…Two very good teams” Ned Renolds Ky-3
“Both teams played their guts out….I was proud of our kids……How can you ask more out of a defense, than the way our defense played tonight…….We’re not going to let this whip us.” Jack Randolph
Special Thanks again to Lori Lowery for these pics…..nice job Grandma!
