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Football: Holding Court: Jags unable to contain Prescott during loss in Mound Showdown
By Justin Thomas, jthomas@starlocalnews.com
FLOWER MOUND - With one game remaining in the regular season, Marcus' football team is hopeful it is starting to find its offensive rhythm.
The Marauders are also closing in on a playoff spot.
Running back Court Prescott gashed the Flower Mound defense for 180 yards and touchdown Friday night and the Marauders scored a defensive and special teams touchdown in a 34-14 victory over the rival Jaguars in the Mound Showdown.
"I don't know where we stand," said Bryan Erwin, Marcus head coach. "We talked this week about controlling our own destiny. As bad as things have been, we control our destiny heading into this week. That's pretty remarkable considering what we've been through. Let's just take care of business and that's what we did."
While Flower Mound's playoff hopes took a big hit, the Jaguars haven't officially been eliminated. Should Marcus defeat Hebron (3-1) next week and Flower Mound top Denton Ryan, the Jaguars would advance by virtue of the head-to-head tiebreaker. The Jaguars would also have a slim chance to qualify on tiebreakers with a win and Marcus loss to Hebron creating a three-way tie.
"If it goes to points, I would have to look it up, but that's going to be tough," said Dane Johnson, Flower Mound head coach. "We don't deserve it anyway right now. You can't play like that. Like I said, I'll have to look, but it's a reach and that was a tough one tonight. It's one you wish didn't happen, but you have to live through those."
The Jaguars continued their trend in district of getting out to sloppy starts.
After a 49-yard completion from Ryan Vaughn to Wyatt Verret set up a 4-yard touchdown reception by Verret on Marcus' opening possession, Marauders' defensive back Tyler Mouton intercepted Flower Mound quarterback Connor Wanhanen on the Jaguars' first play from scrimmage and returned the pick 20 yards for a 13-0 advantage after the extra point was blocked.
It was the third consecutive game Flower Mound has turned the ball over on its first possession. In their 5-5A opener against Lewisville, the Jaguars had a turnover on their second possession.
"I think we've done it every game in district," Johnson said. "We're consistent."
The other big blow came midway through the second quarter when Marcus' Garrett Putnam blocked a punt just outside the end zone that was recovered for a touchdown by Victor Villareal to put the Marauders in front, 34-7. Five plays prior, Marcus had increased its lead to 27-7 on a 5-yard touchdown run from Prescott capping a 12-play, 88-yard scoring drive that included a 21-yard reception on a reverse-pass by Verret from receiver Logan Sepanek.
"We made a lot of plays," Erwin said. "A lot of great plays in the kicking game, on defense and in the passing game. We took some shots and made some plays. Our kids just kept battling and deserve all the credit.
"Garrett played huge. He's a team captain and plays big. He's got a big ole heart and is a tough kid."
In addition to the blocked punt, Putnam added an interception.
Marcus' defense also came up big in the waning seconds of the first half when they denied Flower Mound on consecutive plays inside the 2-yard line preserving the 34-7 lead at halftime.
"That was a big stop knowing that we were going into halftime and they were getting the ball first to start the second half," Erwin said. "This game is such a momentum-swinging game and that was big."
Following the first-quarter interception, Wanhanen settled down, completing passes of 17 and 22 yards to Finn Foster setting up a 7-yard touchdown run by Cole McKeel, who hurdled a Marcus defender at the goal line.
In the third quarter, Flower Mound cut the deficit to 34-13 with a 4-yard scoring run by Wanhanen, who completed 6-of-7 passes on the drive.
Wanhanen finished the contest 22-of-31 for 207 yards to go with 39 yards rushing. McKeel gained 60 yards on 11 carries to go with nine receptions for 50 yards, while Foster had seven grabs for a team-high 97 yards.
"We just got outplayed from the get-go," Johnson said. "Outplayed from the opening kickoff. There's nothing much to say. That's just a good ole fashioned butt-kicking. That's what that was."
Marcus quarterback Ryan Vaughn completed all five of his attempts for 92 yards with Prescott averaging 6.4 yards per carry on 28 rushes.
"I like me some Court Prescott," Erwin said. "He's physical and he brings that presence back to our running game."
Flower Mound continues at 7:30 p.m. Friday when it hosts Ryan.
"Nobody gave up, that's something to be proud of," Johnson said. "And it's been fun coaching these kids and these seniors. We'll go out there and play one more game together and see what happens."
Marcus can secure a playoff spot with a win at 7:30 p.m. Friday against Hebron.
"My hat is off to Flower Mound tonight," Erwin said. "They kept fighting and battling. But our kids really played hard and played well. We're just going to stay humble and get ready for next week."
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