Deondre Osborne + Marshall Claim Wild 64-59 Victory Over Mount Pleasant
MARSHALL -- The Marshall Mavericks gave first-year coach Clint Harper his first District 14-4A win with a wild 64-59 defeat of Mount Pleasant on Friday night at Maverick Stadium.
Deondre Osborne accounted for four touchdowns for Marshall (2-5, 1-1), including the go-ahead, 3-yard touchdown run with 1:43 remaining. Jacque Kuykendall rushed nine times for 158 yards and two touchdowns, Justin Hart was 11-of-18 for 239 yards and three touchdowns -- one of which went to Marek Reyes, who finished with six receptions for 130 yards.
The Marshall win overshadowed an outstanding effort from Mount Pleasant (3-4, 0-2) quarterback Cullen Grubbs, who accounted for all nine Tigers touchdowns. He was 31-of-44 for 361 yards and six touchdowns, while adding three more on the ground. Baylor commit K.D. Cannon had 13 catches for 180 yards and two scores.
Osborne's 3-yard scoring run gave Marshall a 57-53 lead, and the Mavericks extended the advantage moments later when Jaquavian Dabbs returned a fumble 53 yards for a touchdown that made it 64-53.
It turned out to be much-needed insurance as Grubbs connected with Jaquille Rodgers for a 6-yard touchdown with 52 seconds remaining. However, Marshall recovered the ensuing onside kick and ran out the remainder of the clock.
Hart helped rally Marshall in the second half with a pair of touchdown passes. His 12-yarder to Reyes tied the game at 41-41 with 5:11 remaining in the third, and a 21-yard scoring strike to Osborne gave the Mavericks a 48-41 lead early in the fourth.
Mount Pleasant fought back when Grubbs scored from a yard out. However, a bad snap on the extra-point attempt resulted in Tacory Robinson's 92-yard return for two points and a 50-47 Marshall lead. But the Tigers regained the lead, 53-50, later in the fourth on Grubbs' 21-yard touchdown pass to Rodgers.
Marshall plays at Pine Tree, while Mount Pleasant hosts Texas High next Friday night.