Sports
John Marshall Keeps Warren Winless
By: Noah Wolf
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The band had just come off the field after their pre-game performance. Warrior fans in attendance just learned who won Homecoming King and Queen. Some fans were still making their way into the stadium.
With less than two minutes gone in the first quarter, on the first pass play of the game, John Marshall quarterback Jordan Wood connected with Chas McCool for a 45-yard touchdown, giving the Monarchs an early 7-0 lead.
Those seven points proved to be all that John Marshall needed as they went on to steamroll the Warren Warriors, 48-6.
John Marshall would score twice more in the first quarter, both on rushes from star running back Dereck Hess. His two touchdown runs, for one yard and 54 yards respectively, gave the Monarchs a commanding 21-point lead at the end of the first quarter.
Warren, meanwhile, didn’t get a single first down in the first quarter. Their initial first down came on their fourth drive, on a 29-yard pass from Evan Gandee to Ronnie Hill. That drive ended when Hess intercepted Gandee a few plays later.
Hess got a break on the next drive for John Marshall, as they marched a long drive down the field, culminating in a five-yard touchdown run from Nick Coulter.
Hess scored his third touchdown on the next drive; his one-yard touchdown run was their only play on the drive. It was set up by a 64-yard punt return from McCool, barely tackled from behind as he attempted to dive into the end zone.
Wood got his second passing touchdown on the next play, finding Coulter for a 42-yard touchdown to put John Marshall up 41-0. Wood finished the game with 146 passing yards and 31 rushing yards, all in the first half.
Hess closed the half with his second interception and fourth touchdown of the affair, returning a pick six for 58 yards. He finished the game with 184 total yards, also not playing in the second half. This is his fourth consecutive game where he has scored four touchdowns.
John Marshall amassed 415 yards in the game, with 357 of those coming in the first half, as they rested most of their regulars after halftime.
The Monarchs (5-2, 1-1 OVAC) return home to Glen Dale, West Virginia, and put their four-game winning streak on the line against Brooke. The Warriors (0-7) look for their first win at home against Weir.