Flora at Marshall Game Story

The Marshall Lions hosted St. Joseph-Ogden Friday to open their 2012 football season.

The Spartans took an early lead, but the Lions roared into a 28-27 lead early in the second quarter.

From that point, the Spartans scored 40 unanswered points to take the win 67-28.

St. Joe was the first to score, but the Lions wasted no time with their own scoring assault as Brock Hook received the kickoff and eluded several Spartans for a 61-yard kickoff return.

The Lions rolled to the goal on carries by Brock and a pass reception by Cole Rice. Hook carried it in for a touchdown. Daniel Littlejohn’s extra point kick was good, and the Lions led 7-6.

In spite of tackles by Brett Hook, Zach Tharp, Zach Bartnick and Mitch Royer, the Spartans scored on their next series with a touchdown and extra point kick to take a 13-7 lead.

The Lions were unable to score on their possession, and the Spartans quickly scored, expanding their lead to 13 (20-7).

The Lions roared back in their next series, starting with a big 54-yard pass play from quarterback Austin Osborn to Brett Hook. They hammered their way to the goal line with carries by Rice and Brock Hook. Brock burst up the middle behind the offensive line for the TD. Littlejohn’s extra point was good, and the Lions trailed by only 7 (13-20) with one minute left in the first quarter.

As the second quarter got underway, St. Joe’s Chase Patton broke loose to score for the Spartans. The extra point was good and St. Joe led 27-14.

In the Lions’ next series, Osborn kept the ball for a 19-yard gain and first down. The Lions gained another first down on carries by Brock Hook and Cole Rice but turned the ball over after a sack by St. Joe’s Orion Ciota.

The Lions held the Spartans to only small gains in the next round with tackles by Zach Bartnick, Brock Hook, Cole Rice and Kendall Bombard. On one play, Brock Hook and Cole Rice teamed up to pull down the Spartan ball carrier in an outstanding display of precision teamwork.

Marshall scored again as Rice broke several tackles on a 57-yard TD run with 5:51 left in the half. The TD and Littlejohn’s extra point brought the Lions within 6 (21-27).

The Lion defensive line of Adam Kendall, Zach Bartnick, Jon Newbold, Justin Lewis, Tanner Liffick and Doug Sherrill thwarted the Spartans’ next TD attempt.

Osborn then connected with Bombard for a 75-yard touchdown play. Marshall led 28-27 with 3:05 left in the half.

The Spartans took back the lead (34-28) with another TD just before the halftime break.

St. Joe dominated the second half and scored several times. The Lions were unable to contain St. Joe’s Patton.

Osborn completed passes to Brock Hook and Logan Goldsberry and ended the game with carries by Travis Adams, Dalton Hefner and Taylor Padgett.

The hot weather took its toll in the fourth quarter as both teams were hit with leg cramps.

At the final buzzer, it was St. Joseph 67, Marshall 28.