Despite loss, Marble Falls gains momentum in district
JARED FIELDS • PICAYUNE STAFF
CEDAR PARK — The Marble Falls Mustangs dug a deep first-half hole Oct. 4 against defending Class 4A Division II state champion Cedar Park.
But try as they might in the second half, the Mustangs just couldn’t dig themselves out of it.
Once again penalties, turnovers and missed opportunities led to a lopsided halftime score of 37-0.
The Mustangs turned the tables in the second half and turned a potential rout into a 51-34 final.
“We have a lot more momentum going into Week 2 of district than Week 1 of district. We have to use this momentum,” head coach Todd Dodge said. “I saw looks of confidence, looks of hope, and looks of expectation in that second half.”
Marble Falls scored on their first possession of the third quarter on a 16-yard touchdown pass from sophomore quarterback Brennen Wooten to senior wide receiver Garrett Gray.
Wooten finished 29-for-42 with 372 yards and four touchdown passes. Before this game, Cedar Park had allowed five passing touchdowns total in their five previous games.
Gray caught six passes for 99 yards.
Dodge said the Mustangs can take some positives from the game despite the loss.
“We need to be able to play four quarters like we played two quarters (against Cedar Park). In this district we’re playing against good people,” he said. “We have to have confidence and take that momentum for a quarter and half and show that’s who we are and who we can be and grind to get better.”
Marble Falls senior running back Keith Jerome rushed 23 times for 135 yards, including a 3-yard touchdown run to bring the deficit to 51-27 with 4:02 left in the game.
Wooten spread his other touchdown passes to Aidin Parnell, Zuri Buchanan and Carson Bowen.
Bowen, in his first game of the season, caught 9 passes for 125 yards.
Marble Falls returns to Mustang Stadium Oct. 11 for Homecoming against Leander Rouse. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
jared@thepicayune.com