Bulldogs route Moody for Homecoming win
The Marlin Bulldogs football team sent the crowd home happy on Homecoming night as the Bulldogs routed the Moody Bearcats 61-7.
Marlin received the ball to start the game. They put themselves on the scoreboard quick with an impressive 56-yard touchdown pass from Desmond Woodson (7) to Zha’mauryon Lofton (6) for a quick 7-0 lead. The Bulldog defense bent a little and allowed a fourth and 1. Moody marched down the field, but they came up empty on scoring as they were forced to punt. Marlin responded big time on offense with a gigantic 73-yard pass from Woodson to Lofton. That was followed with a 4-yard touchdown run by Mario Hopwood (8) for a 13-0 lead after a missed extra point. The Bulldog defense would give up a 12-yard run. The first quarter ended with Marlin up 13-0.
Marlin forced Moody to punt, then responded on offense with a dynamic 75-yard touchdown catch by Jeoffrey Mims (3) to make the score 20-0. The Bulldog defense stayed tough and forced another Moody punt. Marlin marched down the field aided by a 26-yard catch by Keiayr Young (11). Marlin tried to finish the drive with a 28-yard field goal, but came up empty. The Bulldog defense forced a three and out, but gave the ball right back to Moody with a fumble on the punt return that was recovered by the Bearcats. Moody took advantage of the turnover and scored on a 63-yard touchdown pass to make the score 20-7. Marlin answered right back on special teams with an electrifying kickoff return for a touchdown by Caden Thomas-Judie (21) to make it a 27-7 lead right before halftime.
Moody received the ball to start the second half. Marlin forced Moody to punt, and continued their success on special teams and returned a punt for a touchdown, making it a 34-7 lead. The Bulldog defense remained a brick wall and force another Moody punt. Marlin came out on offense and kept their foot on the gas pedal with a 40-yard touchdown by Ja’Marien Womack (22) to take a commanding 41-7 lead. After forcing another Moody punt, Marlin continued their success with a 17-yard pass to Young and a 25-yard run by Woodson. That was soon followed with a 36 yard catch then a 2-yard touchdown run by Lofton for a 47-7 lead, which would be the score at the end of the third quarter.
The Moody offense put up a good possession but would still be forced to punt again. The Marlin offense responded with a 32-yard run by Hopwood, followed by a 24-yard touchdown run by Hopwood for a whopping 54-7 lead. At that point, Coach Ruben Torres made a change at quarterback: D’Mariion Butler (13) came in for Woodson. They would score on a 37-yard touchdown run by I’aire Kee (2) for an eventual final score of 61-7.
Desmond Woodson played phenomenal, throwing for 327 yards and two touchdowns. Mario Hopwood played incredible and recorded 59 rushing yards and a touchdown. Jeoffrey Mims was super with 75 receiving yards and a touchdown. Zha’mauryon Lofton was a nightmare for the Moody defense, catching four passes for 181 yards and touchdown, along with a punt return for a touchdown as well.
Next up for the Bulldogs, they will head on the road to take on the team they defeated in last year’s quarterfinals, the Crawford Pirates. The game will be on Friday and kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m.