9/12/05
Marshall jumps on Martinsville early
Running backs lead Casey to 3-0 record
By Tom Reck/Tribune-Star
correspondent/Marshall, Ill.
Marshall took care of business early
and dominated Little Illini Conference football action all evening
Friday in posting a 40-0 victory over visiting Martinsville.
Derek Eitel and Kyle Johnson keyed
the offense for the Lions as they improved to 2-1 for the season. They
held a 34-0 lead at the intermission.
Eitel completed 10 of 22 passes for
293 yards and four touchdowns and scored one, rushing for 84 yards on
six carries.
Johnson had five receptions for 145
yards and two of the touchdowns and Cody Welsh had two receptions for
87 yards and a touchdown.
"It was important for us to look good
early. I thought we could throw the football against [Martinsville's]
coverage. We dropped a few balls tonight and I think that was focus,"
said Coach Troy Johnson.
His defense limited the Bluestreaks
(0-3) to 135 yards rushing and 19 yards passing.
"Our defense has improved big-time
since the first game. We're more physical," said the coach.
The Lions scored on their first three
possessions of the contest played on a warm night in Marshall with two
one-play scoring drives.
Eitel got around end for a 53-yard
run to open the scoring and hit Welsh with a 56-yard pass for the other
single-play drive to put the Lions up 21-0.
Eitel and Johnson hooked up on a
29-yard pass play for the second touchdown.
The Lions took advantage of good
field position for their fourth score with Jason Nebergall going 4
yards to cap a 41-yard drive.
Eitel and Johnson combined for a
61-yard pass play to close first-half scoring.
Eitel passed for 224 yards in the
first half. Kyle Johnson all of his receptions at that point.
Marshall attempted only three passes
in the second half and one of them was good for a touchdown. Welsh
scored on a completion that was tipped by Kyle Burnam.
Martinsville drove to the Marshall
8-yard line in the second half but could not convert on fourth down.
Phillip Higginbotham netted 65 yards
rushing for the Bluestreaks and Dylan Cribelar and Bobby Short combined
for 60.
The game was well-played by both
teams with just two turnovers - one on the final play of the game.
Martinsville 0 0 0 0 - 0
Marshall 21 13 6 0 - 40
Marshall - Eitel 53 run (kick failed)
Marshall - K.Johnson 29 pass from
Eitel (Stepp pass from Eitel)
Marshall - Welsh 56 pass from Eitel
(Bowen kick)
Marshall - Nebergall 3 run (Bowen
kick)
Marshall - K.Johnson 61 pass from
Eitel (kick failed)
Marshall - Welsh 31 pass from Eitel
(kick failed)
Next games - Both teams have home
games next Friday. Marshall (2-1, 2-1 LIC) meets Red Hill and
Martinsville (0-3, 0-3 LIC) faces Flora.
