Marble Falls’ running game leads way in 56-38 win against Dripping Springs
Marble Falls High School senior running back Keith Jerome (left) uses a block by senior receiver Garrett Gray during the Mustangs' 56-38 win against Dripping Springs on Nov. 1. Photo by Diana Cox
JARED FIELDS • PICAYUNE STAFF
DRIPPING SPRINGS — The Marble Falls High School football team kept its playoff dreams alive Nov. 1 with a 56-38 victory against Dripping Springs.
The win sets up a must-win game Nov. 8 for the Mustangs (4-5, 2-3) at home against Leander High School for the final playoff spot out of District 25-4A.
However, the critical district victory might not have been the biggest story of the night.
Marble Falls senior running back Keith Jerome nearly rushed for 300 yards with seven touchdowns, and the Mustangs defense shut out a potent Dripping Springs offense in the second half.
Jerome rushed 27 times for 297 yards and six rushing touchdowns. Jerome scored the Mustangs’ final touchdown, his seventh of the game, on a 41-yard screen pass from sophomore quarterback Brennen Wooten. Senior receiver Zuri Buchanan scored the Mustangs’ only other touchdown with a 17-yard catch from Wooten just before halftime.
“The (offensive) line was blocking well and opening holes,” Jerome said of the rushing outburst. “(Senior receiver Garrett Gray) was being a decoy. (Dripping Springs) would triple or double team him and leave it wide open for the running game. Even though it didn’t look like he did much, he was a key part.”
Wooten and the Mustangs’ receiving corps accounted for 317 yards through the air, and the offense gained a total of 696 yards.
Junior center Sam Kohutek said all parts of the Mustangs offense clicked together in the win.
“(Jerome’s) a heck of a runner; the run game definitely won the game tonight,” Kohutek said.
Dripping Springs (2-7, 0-5) also put up some big numbers. Quarterback T.J. Coble completed 17 of 29 passes for 351 yards and led the Tigers’ offense to a 38-35 halftime advantage.
“The first half was probably one of the worst first halves we’ve ever played,” said Marble Falls senior defensive back Steven Petrosky, who swung momentum in the Mustangs’ direction with an interception in the third quarter as Dripping Springs was down 42-38.
Petrosky said Marble Falls defensive coordinator Tony Salazar gathered the defense at halftime and pointed at the deficit on the scoreboard.
“He said all it takes is for all of you to come together and get it done. When the ball comes your way, make a play,” Petrosky said. “And I guess I did that for my team.”
The defense held Coble to just 56 yards passing in the second half and allowed just 61 yards rushing by the Tigers the entire game.
While the running game led the way for the Mustangs, the passing attack also helped spread the field. Wooten completed 24 of 40 passes for 317 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. Gray led Marble Falls with eight receptions and 93 yards. Sophomore Kylen Skonning caught five passes for 81 yards, J.T. Watson had four passes for 38 yards and Jerome caught four passes for 67 yards.
The Mustangs now head into their last home game of the season Nov. 8 against Leander (4-5, 2-3) to play for the final playoff spot. The Lions had a bye Nov. 1 and beat Dripping Springs 44-7 in their most recent game.
Kickoff is 7:30 p.m. at Mustang Stadium, 2101 Mustang Drive in Marble Falls.
jared@thepicayune.com