Texas High Defense Continues Dominance; Tigers Blank Marshall, 45-0

[By Johnny Green, Special to ETSN.fm]

MARSHALL—Texas High's defense continues to prove itself against offensive-minded teams from District 14-4A.

Marshall, which had averaged 44 points in its first three league games, is the latest victim. The Mavericks were shut out for the first time this season, falling to the Tigers, 45-0, at Maverick Stadium on Friday night.

With its sixth straight victory, Texas High ran its season record to 8-1 and clinched at least a share of the district title with only a home game against Hallsville next week remaining on the regular-season schedule. The Tigers also wrapped up the district's No. 1 seed in the Division I playoffs.

Marshall, which will go as the second seed in Division I, had its two-game win streak snapped, falling to 3-6 and 2-2. The Mavericks end the regular season at Sulphur Springs next Friday.

Unlike last week's slow start at Mount Pleasant, Texas High left little doubt it was ready to play against Marshall, rolling up a 21-0 lead after the first quarter. It was 24-0 at halftime, and the Tigers put it away with two Tre Walker touchdowns in the third quarter.

Walker, who rushed for 102 yards and three touchdowns, capped a two-play, 58-yard drive after the Tigers received the second-half kickoff with a 27-yard run after junior Javon Thomas bolted 31 yards on first down.

Later in the period Walker took a third-down screen pass from Kody Hunter, struggled for a first down, then bolted from a swarm of would-be tacklers at the 40, completing the 49-yard play to make it 38-0.

Backup quarterback Clete Norton finished the scoring with a 35-yard scoring strike to Jarion Anderson inside the first minute of the fourth quarter.

Even with reserves playing most of the second half, Marshall managed just 37 yards of offense in the second half, finishing with 148 total. Texas High forced three turnovers in the game.

Meanwhile, Hunter and Norton combined to complete 13 of 14 passes for 256 yards . In addition to his 49-yarder to Walker, Hunter threw a 9-yarder to Taylor Jackson in the first quarter, and finished with 9 of 10 for 192 yards. Norton was 4-of-4 for 64 yards.

Walker, who has 12 touchdowns in his last three games, scored on a 7-yard run three minutes to the game after Terrance Butler had raced 68 yards with a shovel pass from Hunter to set it up. Walker had 41 yards on four carries on the Tigers' second possession, leading to Thomas' 4-yard touchdown run.

Thomas finished with 70 yards on just seven carries. Jauque Keykendall led Marshall with 72 yards on 13 carries.