Article and photos by T Ray Henry
The Marshall High School football team traveled north up Illinois Route 1 to take on the Paris High School Tigers in the Front Yard at Paris High School on Friday, September 4th. Marshall came into the game with a record of 1-1, while Paris came in with a record of 2-0 for this Little Illini Conference opener for both teams.
Throughout this ballgame, Paris dominated on the ground, rushing for a total of 334 yards and 5 touchdowns on their way to a 34-20 win to move to 3-0 on the season. With the loss, Marshall falls to 1-2. In the game, Marshall outgained Paris in total yards 352 to 339.
Paris began the first drive of the game at their own 35-yard line. On the first two plays from scrimmage, it was obvious to everyone in attendance that the Tigers were going to emphasize the run as they gained 26 yards in two plays. Four plays later, Paris senior Dawson Rogers ran it in from 6 yards out to score the game’s first touchdown. The extra point was good, and with 7:54 to go in the opening quarter, the Tigers led 7-0.
Neither team generated any scoring drives until midway through the second quarter when Paris quarterback Marcus Hutchings plunged into the end zone from a yard out with 5:34 to go until halftime. The extra point was no good, so Paris held a 13-0 lead.
Marshall finally got on track with a little over a minute to go before the break. The Lions began their next drive at their own 35. A personal foul penalty on Paris brought the ball to midfield, then on the next play from scrimmage, Marshall quarterback Luke Brodie scrambled over to his left, then he launched a deep pass down the left sideline to a streaking Max Welsh, who caught the pass and raced untouched into the end zone with a minute remaining on the clock. The extra point was no good, but the play gave the Lions life as the teams headed to the locker rooms with Paris holding a 13-6 lead at the break.
Marshall took possession to start the second half at their own 30. After a pass interference on Paris to bring the ball to the Marshall 45, the drive stalled. An exchange of punts by both squads had the ball sitting on the Paris 46. A first down later gave the Lions the ball at the Tiger 33 with a first and 10. On third and 7 from the Paris 30, Marshall QB Luke Brodie lofted a pass to Wyatt Geltz on a wheel route around the left side, and Geltz caught the ball and outraced the Paris defenders to the end zone for a Lions touchdown. With the Lions going for two, a Brodie-to-Geltz pass to the left flat converted the try, and with 6:03 to go in the third quarter, Marshall led the game 14-13.
On their next drive, Paris drove 59 yards in two plays to retake the lead 21-14. The Tiger drive took just 35 seconds. From that point on, heat cramps took their toll on a very warm and humid night in Edgar County. Paris scored two more touchdowns down the stretch as they came away at the final whistle by defeating Marshall 34-20.
For Paris, Marcus Hutchings rushed for 143 yards and threw for 5. Dawson Rogers rushed for 85 yards and caught a pass for 5 yards. Kipton Bradford ran for 78 yards.
For Marshall, Max Welsh had 70 yards rushing and 96 yards receiving. Wyatt Geltz had 60 yards rushing and 57 yards receiving. Luke Brodie, who rushed for 29 yards, was 9 of 12 passing for 178 yards and 2 touchdowns. Brodie also completed a pass for a two-point conversion. Marshall was led on defense by Bryce Parker, who finished with 7 tackles. Rocco Giannavola had 5, while Max Welsh finished with 5.
Paris plays their next game Thursday, September 10th when they travel to Lawrenceville (6:30 PM kickoff). Marshall will host Olney on Saturday, September 12th. Kickoff will be at 7:00 PM.
Max Welsh (23) led all Lions with 70 yards rushing and 96 yards receiving for a total of 166 all-purpose yards and a touchdown against Paris
Marshall players celebrate Wyatt Geltz (center) scoring on a two-point conversion for the Lions to take the lead in the 3rd quarter at Paris
Marshall's Josef Stafford (51 brings down Paris' Kipton Bradford (10) with a vicious tackle during LIC action
Marshall's Wyatt Geltz (47) dives across the goal line to score a touchdown against Paris