High School Sports

By HAROLD WILSON
Staff Writer

JACKSONVILLE -- Marshall's special teams turned the tide one way, helping the Mavericks defeat Jacksonville 19-3 in the season opener Friday night at the Tomato Bowl.

The Mavericks used a long punt return and a blocked punt to set up a pair of K.D. Johnson rushing touchdowns in the first half that proved plenty.

Marshall quarterback and Oklahoma commit Darius Jones jetted 82 yards for the final Marshall TD late in the fourth quarter to put the finishing touches on the Mavericks' victory.

J.C. Haigwood rushed for a game-high 99 yards on 16 carries for Marshall while Jones added 95 yards on 10 attempts.

The Marshall defense dominated the airwaves, limiting Jacksonville to five completions for 32 passing yards and recording two interceptions (Rafael Hendrix and Roderick Davis). Jones only completed two passes, but Marshall averaged more than six yards per rush, forced three turnovers and made the big plays from its kicking units.

Chris Hall led Jacksonville with 16 rushes for 85 yards, but managed only 20 in the second half.

The Marshall defense yielded just 82 yards total in the second half.

After Marshall forced a three-and-out on Jacksonville's opening possession, Denzel Williams returned Kyle Stacy's punt 29 yards across midfield to the 25-yard line.

Two plays later, Johnson ripped off a 19-yard run up the middle, and Miguel Luna tacked on the point-after to give the guests a 7-0 lead.

A lightning delay lasted 30 minutes in between the first and second quarters.

Upon returning to the field, Marshall penetrated Jacksonville's red zone three more times before scoring -- once after netting 30 yards on a punt return, thanks to a 15-yard personal foul face mask penalty on the hosts.

With the first half winding down, Marshall's Jaquan Kelly burst through the line to block Stacy's punt, setting up the Mavericks with a 1st-and-goal opportunity.

Marshall needed just one play to capitalize, with Johnson doing the scoring honors on a 9-yard scamper around the left side.

-- -- --

Marshall 19, Jacksonville 3

At Tomato Bowl, Jacksonville

Marshall 7� 6� 0� 6� -- 19

Jacksonville� 0� 3� 0� 0� -- 3

First Quarter

MAR -- K.D. Johnson 19 run (Miguel Luna kick), 5:25

Second Quarter

MAR -- Johnson 9 run (kick failed), 4:06

JAX -- FG 25 Blake Glass, 0:17

Fourth Quarter

MAR -- Darius Jones 82 run (pass failed), 6:49

EST.ATT.

-- 2500.

MAR� JAX

First Downs� 12� 11

Rushes-Yards� 37-226� 31-159

Passing Yards� 27� 32

Com.-Att.-Int.� 2-7-0� 5-19-2

Punts-Avg.� 5-32.0� 5-31.4

Fumbles-Lost� 4-1� 4-2

Penalties-Yards� 17-112� 9-65

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING -- Marshall,

J.C. Haigwood 16-99, Darius Jones 10-95, K.D. Johnson 8-46, Team 3-(-14).

Jacksonville, Chris Hall 16-85, Zavar Jones 8-56, Kyle Stacy 3-8, Jonathan Brown 1-6, Kendrick Hatton 3-4.

PASSING -- Marshall,

Jones 2-7-0 -- 27.

Jacksonville,

Stacy 5-19-2 -- 32.

RECEIVING -- Marshall,

Nick Grogan 2-27.

Jacksonville,

Demarcus Session 2-22, Terrance Canady 2-4, Duke Hamilton 1-6.