Sounds like a good game. Anyone see it?

Final.

Great statement game for Marion County, who was favored slightly over Collins by the district coaches in the C-J pre-season poll. Holding Cresap & Co.'s offense to 27 points is pretty impressive.

I made the trip to Lebanon tonight for this game and it was a dandy. Both of these teams are legitimate top 10 clubs in Class 4A. Collins throws on nearly every down, while Marion County grinds it out in the wishbone. Marion County ran their option offense almost to perfection tonight. I was particularly impressed with Joe Hazelwood, a lightning quick tailback. The Knights also tackled very well, limiting everything Collins got, and allowing very few yards after the catch.

 

As for Collins, they were almost equally impressive. Their passing game is terrific and quarterback Brandon Cresap is very sharp. Marion County started to get a little pressure in the second half and that was able to slow Collins some. The Titans defense had a hard time stopping Marion County. They weren't bad, but they didn't seem acclimated to stopping a power run game.

 

I apologize for this rundown, but I'm going on memory:

1st Q - Marion County scores on 10 play, 60+ yard drive (Marion 7-0)

1st Q - Collins called for holding in endzone (Marion 9-0)

1st Q - Collins touchdown pass, miss XP (Marion 9-6)

2nd Q - Collins touchdown pass (Collins 13-9)

2nd Q - Marion touchdown run after another 10 play, 60+ drive (Marion 15-13)

2nd Q - Marion touchdown just before halftime (Marion 22-13)

3rd Q - Collins touchdown pass (Marion 22-20)

 

Here, Collins was driving, inside the Marion 10 yard line when Marion linebacker Austin Turner made one of the best interceptions you will ever seen. He stepped in front of a Cresap pass, deflected it, then caught it as he was falling down to stop the Collins drive. Words can't describe what a play it was. And it killed Collins. Marion went on about an 8 minute, 90+ yard drive to score. They went for two and converted, making it 30-20. Collins would score with about three minutes left, but couldn't recover the onside kick and Marion ran out the clock.

 

Both of these teams are really good. I think Collins needs to develop more of a balance; they don't run enough and athletic teams like Marion can cover their receivers. Marion County probably needs to throw the ball better to win a state title, but they can really pound the ball on offense. And Marion County seemed EXTREMELY well coached. They did all of the little things. Both of these teams are really good, though.

 

Side note: I had never been to a game at Marion County and their facility is top-notch. Great views, great concessions, great restrooms, great hospitality, and everyone I spoke to from both sides were over-the-top nice. Mix in great weather and you couldn't ask for more.

I made the trip to Lebanon tonight for this game and it was a dandy. Both of these teams are legitimate top 10 clubs in Class 4A. Collins throws on nearly every down, while Marion County grinds it out in the wishbone. Marion County ran their option offense almost to perfection tonight. I was particularly impressed with Joe Hazelwood, a lightning quick tailback. The Knights also tackled very well, limiting everything Collins got, and allowing very few yards after the catch.

 

As for Collins, they were almost equally impressive. Their passing game is terrific and quarterback Brandon Cresap is very sharp. Marion County started to get a little pressure in the second half and that was able to slow Collins some. The Titans defense had a hard time stopping Marion County. They weren't bad, but they didn't seem acclimated to stopping a power run game.

 

I apologize for this rundown, but I'm going on memory:

1st Q - Marion County scores on 10 play, 60+ yard drive (Marion 7-0)

1st Q - Collins called for holding in endzone (Marion 9-0)

1st Q - Collins touchdown pass, miss XP (Marion 9-6)

2nd Q - Collins touchdown pass (Collins 13-9)

2nd Q - Marion touchdown run after another 10 play, 60+ drive (Marion 15-13)

2nd Q - Marion touchdown just before halftime (Marion 22-13)

3rd Q - Collins touchdown pass (Marion 22-20)

 

Here, Collins was driving, inside the Marion 10 yard line when Marion linebacker Austin Turner made one of the best interceptions you will ever seen. He stepped in front of a Cresap pass, deflected it, then caught it as he was falling down to stop the Collins drive. Words can't describe what a play it was. And it killed Collins. Marion went on about an 8 minute, 90+ yard drive to score. They went for two and converted, making it 30-20. Collins would score with about three minutes left, but couldn't recover the onside kick and Marion ran out the clock.

 

Both of these teams are really good. I think Collins needs to develop more of a balance; they don't run enough and athletic teams like Marion can cover their receivers. Marion County probably needs to throw the ball better to win a state title, but they can really pound the ball on offense. And Marion County seemed EXTREMELY well coached. They did all of the little things. Both of these teams are really good, though.

 

Side note: I had never been to a game at Marion County and their facility is top-notch. Great views, great concessions, great restrooms, great hospitality, and everyone I spoke to from both sides were over-the-top nice. Mix in great weather and you couldn't ask for more.

 

Sounds like the great game I thought it would be. I got a chance to watch the Marion County/John Hardin game last week, and Marion didn't look to have missed a beat from the '09 season. They went right at John Hardin last week, the 35-14 score didn't do the game justice, as it was a 21-14 game going into the 4th quarter. It sounds like they went right back to work v.s a Collins team that is just as athletic as John Hardin. Marion County will once again be a force to be reckoned with in 4A west. They have one of the best mixes of speed and power that you will see from any team, any class. They also keep things simple and don't try to get too fancy; do what they do on offense and play very hard, physical, disciplined and sound defense.

The biggest thing I noticed about Collins is they weren't terribly big on the defensive front. Like I said, I think they would stop a passing team pretty well. But it appears that they might have a hard time stopping the run consistently.