Big plays hurt Marble Falls in 49-23 loss to La Grange to open season

JENNIFER FIERRO • PICAYUNE STAFF

LA GRANGE — Big plays highlighted the Marble Falls High School football team’s season-opening game against La Grange on Aug. 30.Unfortunately, for the Mustangs (0-1), the Leopards had more of them.

La Grange defeated Marble Falls 49-23 in a game highlighted by scoring on plays of 89 yards, 46 yards, 30 yards, 20 yards, 26 yards, 10 yards and three yards and another non-scoring play of 63 yards.

“We’re all hurting,” Mustangs head coach Todd Dodge said. “It’s the first game of the year. Felt like we were prepared. But we ran into a buzz saw.”

The contest started at a fast pace. The Leopards marched 77 yards in three plays capped off by a 10-yard run by Filmore to take a 7-0 lead, all in 55 seconds.

The Mustangs answered with a 63-yard drive in four plays in 66 seconds highlighted by a three-yard touchdown run by senior running back Keith Jerome to knot the contest at 7-7.

La Grange scored on its second possession for a 14-7 lead but set the tone on its fourth possession by scoring on a 10-play, 91-yard drive that chewed up more than four minutes from the clock.

From then on, the Leopards maintained at least a seven-point advantage.

But the Mustangs refused to quit. Down 28-14 after a Jerome five-yard touchdown run in the second quarter, Marble Falls took the openng possession of the third quarter 70 yards in 10 plays that they finished with a 14-yard touchdown reception by senior receiver Garrett Gray from sophomore quarterback Brennen Wooten.

Kicker Alejandro Osornio hit a 31-yard field goal, which ended the Mustangs’ scoring.

Dodge said he could feel momentum slipping at the 5:07 mark of the third quarter. The Mustangs had a big gain wiped out because of a penalty but came back to move the chains for a first down the next two plays. However, another personal foul forced Marble Falls backward. The next play was an incomplete pass followed by a sack.

It was humid at Leopard Stadium, which caused some players to have cramps.

“It’s not uncommon, and it’s not an excuse,” Dodge said. “Give credit to La Grange for being a really good team.”

Marble Falls will face Smithville in its home opener at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 6 at Mustang Stadium, 2101 Mustang Drive in Marble Falls.

jfierro@thepicayune.com

[tabs style=”default”] [tab title=”SCORING BY QUARTERS”]Marble Falls: 7…7…6…3 — 23
La Grange: 14…14…7…14 — 49

First Quarter
La Grange – Rodney Filmore 10-yard run (Marco Cerda kick) 10:58
Marble Falls – Keith Jerome 7-yard run (Alejandro Osornio kick) 9:52
La Grange – Ryan Scott 20-yard pass from Dillon Davis (Marco Cerda kick) 4:31

Second Quarter
La Grange – Rodney Filmore 26-yard run (Marco Cerda kick) 8:47
Marble Falls – Keith Jerome 7-yard run (Alejandro Osornio kick) 5:55
La Grange – Bralen Hutchinson 3-yard run (Marco Cerda kick) 3:46

Third Quarter
Marble Falls – Garrett Gray 14-yard catch from Brennen Wooten (Alejandro Osornio kick) 8:40
La Grange – Wes Scott 30-yard catch from Dillon Davis (Marco Cerda kick) 5:07

Fourth Quarter
Marble Falls – Alejandro Osornio 31-yard field goal, 8:52
La Grange – Rodney Filmore 46-yard run (Marco Cerda kick) 7:50
La Grange – Bralen Hutchinson 89-yard run (Marco Cerda kick) 2:51[/tab] [tab title=”TEAM STATS”]First downs: MF 16; LG 18
Rushes-Yards: MF 24-134; LG 22-216
Passing yards: MF 245; LG 84
Passes (Comp-Att-Int): MF 25-39-1; LG 4-7-0
Penalties (No.-Yards): MF 5-65; LG 1-5
Fumbles-Lost: MF 2-1; LG 1-1[/tab] [tab title=”INDIVIDUAL STATS”]Rushing – Marble Falls: Keith Jerome 14-90, Brennen Wooten 6-22, Tyler Ryan 22; La Grange – Rodney Filmore 22-181, Dillon Marburger 1-5, Branon Hutchinson 4-159, Dillon Davis8-41
Passing – Marble Falls: Brennen Wooten 25-39-1-1, 245; La Grange 4-7-0-0, 84
Receiving – Marble Falls: Ty Coffey 5-62, J.T. Watson 6-36, Garrett Gray 6-73, Zuri Buchanan 4-45, Keith Jerome 1-2, Tyler Ryan 3-27; La Grange: Riley Grayson 1-7, Wes Scott 2-57, Ryan Scott 1-20[/tab] [/tabs]