Linden ground attack tames Panthers
LINDEN– Thanks in large to a dominating first half, Linden (5-2, 5-0) cruised to a fairly easy victory over region foe Marengo (4-3, 3-2) Friday evening by a score of 39-14.
Stakes were high in this critical Class 1, Region 1 matchup as the Panthers of Marengo entered the game only one game back of Linden in region.
Marengo looked to gain momentum on its first possession when Coach Drederick Bell called a fake punt on a Fourth-and-15 inside his own red zone.
The gamble didn’t pay off and the Patriots set up shop on Marengo’s 19 yard line. Terrance Sanders only needed two carries to put Linden on the board first. Linden led 7-0 with 9:31 left in the opening quarter. The game from that point on was controlled by the Patriots.
The next two possessions ended with similar results for the Patriots. After holding Marengo to a three-and-out on its second offensive possession, Linden got the ball back with good field position.
The Patriots didn’t waste any time grinding their way down the field as Prentiss McQuiston capped things off by way of a seven-yard touchdown run. Linden struck again with 9:39 to play in the second quarter and before the Panthers knew it, they were behind 21-0.
Marengo would get back in the game momentarily when Jatevin Horn scampered 54 yards to the end zone to get the Panthers on the board with 4:27 left before half. After a missed PAT, Linden’s lead was at 21-6.
Sanders would again put together two big runs that helped Linden answer right back. His TD run of 25 yards came a mere 1:20 after Marengo’s score. Linden’s first missed extra-point attempt would keep the score 27-6 going into the half.
Marengo’s lone touchdown in the second-half of play would again come by way of a long run by Horn, who outran everybody on his way to a 31-yard score. He also converted on the 2-point attempt, putting the score at 33-to-14 with 5:53 left in regulation.
Devontae Knox, who also had a big game running the football, answered back with a 31-yard TD run of his own. After a missed 2-point conversion, The Patriots led 39-14 with 5:17 left on the clock.
After failing to convert on a fourth-down attempt, Marengo gave the ball back to the Patriots. Linden would run out the clock, preserving the 39-14 victory.
McCuiston led the Pats’ rushing attack with 128 yards on 17 carries and two touchdowns.
Terrance Sanders ended the night with 13 carries for 90 yards and three scores.
Devontae Knox racked up 97 yards on just eight carries and was responsible for one touchdown.
The Panthers were led on both sides of the ball by Jatevin Horn, who rushed 17 times for 160 yards and accounted for the only two Panther touchdowns. He also led the defense in tackles with 15.