Marshall Lions Football

By: Kelly Grooms

The Marshall Lions made the long trip to Carlinville last Saturday, November 3, to tangle with the host Cavaliers in the 2nd round of the IHSA Class 3A playoffs. After trailing 3-0 in the 1st quarter, the Lions dominated the rest of the way to win 21-3. With the victory, Marshall advances to their first Elite 8 since 1987.

The Lions played a defensive gem, limiting Carlinville's wishbone offense to only 132 total yards on the day. The Cavaliers had most of their success in the early going, gaining 70 of those total yards in the 1st quarter.

After each team traded punts to open the game, Carlinville got on the scoreboard first with a 31-yard field goal at the 3:20 mark in the opening frame.

The Lions responded with a nice drive to gain some field position. Taking over on their own 35 yard line, Marshall quickly penetrated Cavalier territory when Lions quarterback Travis Johnson hit Kaleb Johnson for a 17-yard completion. Two plays later, Travis Johnson found Tyler Shotts for a 22-yard pass play. Running back Kyle Burnam followed with a 9-yard scamper. However, Marshall’s drive eventually stalled on Carlinville's 15 yard line.

The Lions defense then held Carlinville to a 3-and-out. Following the Carlinville punt, Marshall took over at midfield.

After a pair of incomplete passes to open the drive, Travis Johnson connected with Kaleb Johnson for a 13-yard gain to move the chains. Later on a 3rd down and 12 play, Tyler Shotts made a diving catch for a 10-yard gain, setting up 4th down and 2 on the Carlinville 29 yard line. On the 4th down play, the Cavaliers jumped off sides, giving the Lions a 1st down. Eight plays later, Travis Johnson tossed a 4-yard touchdown pass to Alan Wolter. The Lions missed the extra point but led 6-3 with 7:17 left in the 2nd quarter.

Marshall's defense once again held the Cavaliers to a 3-and-out on their next possession, giving the ball back to the Lions. Marshall got a scare on their next possession when on the second play of the drive, a Cavalier defensive lineman ripped the ball loose from a Lions ball carrier and returned it to the Marshall 10 yard line.

However, the Lions defense held firm, not allowing a 1st down. On 4th down, the Cavaliers tried a 21-yard field goal but it sailed wide of the upright. The score would remain 6-3 advantage Marshall heading into halftime.

The Lions came out roaring to open the 2nd half, taking the opening possession of the 3rd quarter and marching it right down the field. Starting at their own 20 yard line, Travis Johnson picked up 14 yards on a pair of carries to get things started. Later, Travis Johnson hooked up with Alan Wolter for a 10-yard pass play. Travis Johnson then found Kaleb Johnson, who made a nice catch down the sidelines for a big 26-yard gain. Four plays later, Kyle Burnam finished off the drive with a 2-yard touchdown dash. The Lions went for two and Travis Johnson hit Alan Wolter with a pass to convert the 2-point play. Marshall's lead was up to 14-3 early in the 3rd quarter.

After each team traded possessions, the Marshall defense came up with a big play to set up their final score. On a 3rd down and 9 play, Travis Johnson intercepted a Cavalier pass and returned to the Carlinville 32 yard line. The Lions quickly capitalized on the turnover four plays later, when Kyle Burnam scored on a 1-yard touchdown run. Blake Hook kicked the extra point to stretch the Marshall advantage to 21-3 with 0:53 left to play in the 3rd quarter.

The Lion defense continued to swarm throughout the remainder of the game as the Cavaliers were unable to get anything going offensively. In fact, the host team only picked up two 1st downs in the 2nd half.

Following the Marshall score, the next two Cavalier possessions ended with Travis Johnson recovering a fumble and Alan Wolter intercepting a pass.

On offense, Travis Johnson completed 17 of 34 passes for 193 yards and a touchdown. Johnson also rushed 17 times for 53 yards.

Kyle Burnam led the rushing attack with 80 yards on 18 carries with a pair of touchdowns. Ryan Shumaker also picked up 4 yards on 3 carries.

Alan Wolter led the receivers with 5 catches for 41 yards and a touchdown. Tyler Shotts added 4 grabs for 60 yards. Kaleb Johnson had 3 receptions for 56 yards while Taylor Duncan had 3 catches for 24 yards. Kyle Burnam caught 2 passes for 12 yards.

The Cavaliers gained all of their yards on the ground. Dane Walker led the way with 50 yards on 16 carries. Justin Frankford added 40 yards on 9 carries. T.J. Boullion ran it 8 times for 26 yards while quarterback Gregg Kirkland had 4 rushes for 16 yards. Kirkland was 0 for 3 passing with 2 interceptions.

The Lions out gained the Cavaliers in total yards 330 to 132 on the day.

The Lions (10-1), now winners of 10 in a row, will have another road trip when they travel to Greenville to take on the undefeated Comets (11-0) next Saturday.

Scoring Summary

First Quarter: Carlinville -C. Walker 31-yard field goal, 3:20

Second Quarter: Marshall -Wolter 4-yard pass from T. Johnson (kick failed), 7:17.

Third Quarter: Marshall -Burnam 2-yard run (Wolter 2-pt pass from T. Johnson), 9:02; Marshall-Burnam 1-yard run (Hook kick), 0:53