Marlin chases Crawford to reach state semifinals for first time since ’03
Marlin’s Desmond Woodson hurdles over Crawford’s Logan Borkowski in the first half of the Bulldogs’ 26-6 regional final win over the Pirates.
Marlin’s Tremayne Richardson reacts to a tackle on Crawford’s Brady Ward in the Bulldogs’ 26-6 regional final win over the Pirates.
Crawford’s Logan Borkowski and Trey Dobie (left) bring down Marlin’s Trajon Butler in the first half.
Marlin’s Trajon Butler races away for a touchdown in the first half against Crawford.
Crawford’s Brady Ward gets pushed out of bounds by Marlin’s Zha’Mauryon Lofton in the first half.
Marlin’s Trajon Butler scores past Crawford’s Ben Baker in the first half.
Crawford’s Trey Dobie intercepts a pass intended for Marlin’s Derion Gullette in the first half of Friday night’s regional final in Belton.
BELTON — The Marlin Bulldogs are making amends for lost time.
Already in their longest playoff run since 2003, the Bulldogs are now one step away from a state championship game after a dominating 26-6 win over the Crawford Pirates in the Class 2A Division I Region 2 Final at Belton’s Tiger Field on Friday night.
“I’m extremely excited and extremely proud of them,” Marlin coach Ruben Torres II said of his Bulldogs. “They don’t back down from anybody.”
It’s the Bulldogs’ deepest playoff run since 2003 when they beat Port Isabel, 41-0, in the semifinals, en route to a title game in which they lost to Atlanta, 34-0.
And it stopped a Crawford team that entered with a 13-0 record and was trying to get to the semifinals for the second straight year.
“I’m proud of their effort and what they’ve accomplished this year,” Crawford coach Greg Jacobs said of his team. “We lost a good group last year, the group that came up this year represented us well, and they are going to leave with a smile on their face with a lot they’ve accomplished.”
The Pirates built their winning streak off the talent of running back Breck Chambers. But he, along with quarterback Luke Torbert and several other key players, were out with injury on Friday and Jacobs knew that meant they would have a tough go.
“We knew it was going to be an uphill battle with the kids we had out and the injuries we had,” he said. “But (Marlin is) a talented football team, they have talent all over the field. Our kids played hard we just shot ourselves in the foot a couple times early, and gave up a couple big plays we shouldn’t have.”
The first of those big plays was a 58-yard touchdown run by Trajon Butler with 4:49 left in the opening quarter to give the Bulldogs (11-3) a 6-0 lead with the failed extra point.
It was sign of things to come as the Bulldogs, after throwing an interception on their opening possession, scored on four straight first-half possessions for a 26-0 halftime lead, with the final touchdown coming with 11 seconds left in the half.
“Our goal is to score first and go up on people,” Torres said. “Our game plan was to go up and establish the run. Once we got up three scores it was time to run the ball, but then we got that opportunity right before the half.”
The opportunity came with Marlin taking over on the Pirates’ 48 with 45 seconds left in the half. After a couple of runs got the Bulldogs to the 28, Derion Gullette leaped over three defenders to haul in a pass at the 1, and quarterback Desmond Woodson Jr. scored on the next play for the 26-0 lead. The Bulldogs’ offense ended the half with 149 yards on the ground and 116 in the air.
Zha’Mauryon Lofton had the other first-half touchdowns, with a 5-yard run and a 25-yard reception from Woodson, who was 12-of-13 passing for 145 yards and one interception.
On defense, the Bulldogs gave up some yards to the Pirates’ still-solid running game. But despite giving up 142 first half yards, Marlin came up big when needed, recovering a fumble, forcing two punts and getting a quarterback sack on a key fourth down play in the half.
Crawford’s lone score came early in the fourth quarter when Camron Walker capped a 66-yard, 15-play drive with a 1-yard score for the final 26-6 tally after Marlin blocked the extra point.
“Crawford is a program that’s well established,” Torres said. “So even with injuries you know they are going to put a quality product out there and play hard.
“I’m just extremely happy for our kids and our fans.”
The Bulldogs will play Hawley (14-0) in the state semifinals next week, at a time and place to be determined.
Photos: High school football playoffs around Waco, Central Texas
Mart’s Klyderion Campbell scores past Chilton’s Ja’Brian Davis and Miguel Barron, left, in the first half.
Mart’s Da’Marion Medlock applies pressure to force an incomplete pass intended for Chilton’s Ja’Brian Davis in the first half.
Mart’s Klyderion Campbell slips past Chilton’s Miguel Barron, left, in the first half.
Mart’s Robert Hickman looks for running room around Chilton’s Markeydrick Taylor in the first half of the Panthers’ 56-10 regional final win.
Crawford’s Logan Borkowski and Trey Dobie (left) bring down Marlin’s Trajon Butler in the first half.
Marlin’s Tremayne Richardson reacts to a tackle on Crawford’s Brady Ward in the Bulldogs’ 26-6 regional final win over the Pirates.
Marlin’s Trajon Butler races away for a touchdown in the first half against Crawford.
Crawford’s Brady Ward gets pushed out of bounds by Marlin’s Zha’Mauryon Lofton in the first half.
Marlin’s Desmond Woodson hurdles over Crawford’s Logan Borkowski in the first half of the Bulldogs’ 26-6 regional final win over the Pirates.
Marlin’s Trajon Butler scores past Crawford’s Ben Baker in the first half.
Crawford’s Trey Dobie intercepts a pass intended for Marlin’s Derion Gullette in the first half of Friday night’s regional final in Belton.
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The Live Oak Falcons pose for a team picture while celebrating their state title on Thursday.
Live Oak’s Isaac Joiner, right, along with Nathan Snyder, left, and George Sutherland celebrate their state win over Faith Academy.
Live Oak’s Jonathan Buras walks into the end zone for a score against Faith Academy.
Live Oak’s Riley Black scores on a pass play past Faith Academy’s Dylan Offutt on the first play of the third quarter. Black scored on a 50-yard touchdown pass from Mason Peters.
Live Oak’s Yoshio Ishio scores in the third quarter of the Falcons’ TAPPS Six Man Division II state championship victory on Thursday.
Live Oak Classical fans cheer for the Falcons during their state championship game win at Waco ISD Stadium.
Live Oak Classical fans cheer for the Falcons during their state championship game win at Waco ISD Stadium.
Live Oak’s Isaac Joiner celebrates the Falcons’ state title win over Marble Falls Faith Academy.
Live Oak’s Yoshio Ishio scores past Faith Academy’s Elijah Blackington in the second half.
Live Oak’s Yoshio Ishio scores past Faith Academy’s Elijah Blackington in the second half.
Live Oak’s Yoshio Ishio scores past Faith Academy’s Elijah Blackington in the second half.
Live Oak’s George Sutherland, left, and teammate Riley Black walk off the field after defeating Faith Academy for the TAPPS Six Man Division II state title at Waco ISD Stadium.
China Spring’s Kyle Barton reacts to the Cougars’ 27-17 win over No. 1 Carthage on Friday night in Prosper.
China Spring’s Major Bowden rushes past Carthage’s Brandon King, right, in the first half.
China Spring’s Jacob Mott breaks up a pass to Carthage’s Montrel Hatten in the second half.
China Spring’s Tre Hafford pulls in a Major Bowden pass past Carthage’s Jakerrian Rocquemore in the second half.
China Spring’s Tre Hafford, center, barrels into the end zone through the Carthage defense in the second half.
China Spring’s Dawson Exline scores against Carthage in the first quarter.
China Spring’s Tristan Exline, left, and Jaylen Trotter, right, bring down Carthage’s Noah Paddie late in the fourth quarter. The tackle for loss helped stymie the Bulldogs’ last chance to tie the game. China Spring won, 27-17, to advance to the 4A Division II Region III final.
China Spring’s Major Bowden sidesteps Carthage’s Jakerrian Rocquemore in the first half.
China Spring’s Major Bowden runs upfield past Carthage’s Fredrick Lynch to pick up yardage in the first half.
China Spring’s Major Bowden, left, reacts to Thomas Barr’s field goal against Carthage in the second half.
China Spring’s Tre Hafford breaks up an end zone pass to Carthage’s Montrel Hatten in the second half.
China Spring’s Kyle Barton slips past Carthage’s Drake Howard in the second half.
China Spring’s Greg Salazar pressures Carthage’s Connor Cuff in the second half.
China Spring’s Tre Hafford hauls in a pass from QB Major Bowden pass in front of Carthage’s Jakerrian Rocquemore in the second half.
West’s TJ Mccutcheon scores against Malakoff in the first half.
West’s TJ Mccutcheon scores against Malakoff in the first half.
West’s Brandon Vanek reacts to his interception that set up the Trojans’ first touchdown of the game late in the first half.
West’s Brandon Vanek (2) celebrates after making an interception to set up a late first-half touchdown for the Trojans.
West’s Tristan Gatlin tackles Malakoff’s Austin Massingill in the Trojans’ 14-12 regional round playoff win.
West’s Zane Meinen heads upfield past Malakoff’s defense in the first half.
West’s Easton Paxton looks for running room against Malakoff in the first half.
West’s Wyatt Wolf pulls down Malakoff’s Duce Hart Jr. in the first half.
With help from his teammates, West’s Jaden Anderson brings down Malakoff running back Duce Hart in the first half of the Trojans’ 14-12 regional playoff win.
West’s Jaden Anderson brings down Malakoff running back Duce Hart in the first half.
West’s Jacob Boggs reacts to a Malakoff incomplete pass in the Trojans’ 14-12 victory on Friday.
West’s Easton Paxton reacts to a missed field goal by Malakoff in the first half.
La Vega’s Mekhi Rice pulls in a long pass over Kaufman defender Kaleb Lewis in the second half.
La Vega’s Jasen Brown (right), along with Keywan Ross (center) and Darion White (left) bring down Kaufman’s Derek Clamon in the first half.
La Vega’s Mekhi Rice pulls in a long pass over Kaufman’s Kaleb Lewis in the second half.
La Vega defensive back Xavier Carpenter comes up with a key fourth-quarter interception as he fights off Kaufman’s Julian Prox.
La Vega running back Bryson Roland speeds past Kaufman’s Kaleb Lewis for the go-ahead touchdown in the second half Friday night in Corsicana. The Pirates defeated the Lions, 14-10.
La Vega’s Dontroy Sterling cruises into the end zone for a touchdown in the first half.
La Vega’s Marcus Cobb trips up Kaufman’s Derek Clamon in the first half.
Kaufman’s Kaleb Lewis comes up with a turnover as La Vega’s Bryson Roland looks on in the first half.
La Vega’s Bryson Roland heads upfield past the Kaufman defense for a big gainer in the first half.
La Vega’s Xavier Carpenter disrupts a pass intended for Kaufman’s Peyton Luna in the first half.
China Spring’s Tre Hafford gains yardage after the catch past Sealy defender Connor Krenek in the first half of the Cougars’ 48-7 win.
China Spring’s Kyle Barton ran for three touchdowns and caught three passes for 101 yards in the Cougars’ win over Sealy.
China Spring’s Major Bowden runs past Sealy defender Connor Krenek.
China Spring’s Tre Hafford catches a pass for a touchdown over Sealy defender Mason Klotz in the first half of the Cougars’ 48-7 victory on Friday night at Waco ISD Stadium.
China Spring’s Kyle Barton runs over Sealy defender Hector Murillo in the first half.
China Spring defenders Greg Salazar (above) and Dawson Exline tackle Sealy quarterback D’vonne Hmielewski in the first half.
Methodist Children’s Home football players (top row from left) Sterling Kemper, Corleone Coleman, Maury Arnold, (bottom row from left) Daniel Zapata, Anthony Wilson and Robert Hogan led the Bulldogs the TCAF Division I state championship game on Nov. 20. The Bulldogs lost, 70-21.
First-year Riesel coach Tyler Crow talks to his team after practice during the week leading up to the Indians’ second-round playoff game in November. Despite finishing fourth in district, Riesel reached the third round of the playoffs by beating Van Vleck, 21-12, and then eking out a 10-8 victory over Natalia before falling to defending state champion and district mate Franklin, 60-0.
Groesbeck’s Tyson Pringle (left) is pulled down by Whitney’s Orrin Green in the second half.
Groesbeck quarterback Allen Lewis is tackled by Whitney’s Dalton Wooten (left) and Jordan Newton (right) who was called for targeting and ejected on the play in the second half.
Orrin Green of Whitney tries to fight off tackler Chris Cox of Groesbeck in the first half of the Wildcats’ 14-0 victory.
Marlin quarterback Desmond Woodson Jr. head downfields as Bosqueville defender Xavier Gutierrez (left) gives chase in the first half.
Bosqueville’s Noah Pena makes a move to sidestep Marlin defender Mario Hopwood (left) in the first half.
Bosqueville’s Newt Schornack looks for running room against the Marlin defense in the first half.
Marlin’s Jeoffrey Mims (right) breaks up a pass intended for Bosqueville’s Justin Moore in the first half.
Marlin’s Ty Harris scoots past the pressure by Bosqueville’s Justin Moore in the first half.
Marlin’s Derion Gullette, the leading receiver in Central Texas, slips past Bosqueville’s John Youens in the first half of Marlin’s bi-district win.
Marlin’s Zha’Mauryon Lofton cruises into the end zone as Bosqueville’s Brooks Nunn trails him in the first half of Marlin’s 54-20 bi-district win.
Dawson’s Roberto Ramirez runs past Crawford’s Huston Hall for a touchdown in the first half.
Crawford’s Camron Walker scores past Dawson’s Hastin Easley in the first half.
Crawford’s Wyatt Ripley sacks Dawson’s quarterback Micah McCall in the first half.
Crawford’s Luis Rodriguez picks up a loose ball and returns it for a touchdown against Dawson in the first half.
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