Marlette wasn't intimidated. Their big-play offense was able to keep pace with the vaunted Bulldog run game, but the Red Raiders still fell in a heart-wrenching 36-34 loss.
After a scoreless first quarter, it was Marlette's senior quarterback Austin Comment that ignited the scoring with a deep touchdown pass to Dan Gymomory. From here on out, the touchdowns would come in droves; the two squads combined for 50 points in the 2nd quarter.
Ryan Humpert's carry put the Bulldogs on the board, but a failed 2-point conversion left Marlette ahead 8-6. On the Red Raiders' next drive, a fumble was picked up by St. Charles defender and returned 25 yards to the 1 yard line. On the next play, Brian Halas called his own number up the middle to give the Bulldogs a 14-8 advantage.
It wasn't long before the home team made another big play. A host of defenders was able to penetrate the Red Raiders' line and block a punt. They recovered the ball deep in enemy territory and quickly put it in the end zone for a 22-8 lead.
Comment, however, led his team back into the game with a flawless pass to Jon Bishop for a 71 yard touchdown.
St. Charles took the ball over with only a few minutes remaining in the half, and ran a perfect drive that both added 8 points to their total and left almost no time on the game clock.
Unfortunately for them, almost no time was enough for the Red Raiders to create some momentum of their own. In a huge game-changing play, Comment took the ensuing kick-off back for a touchdown. Suddenly the game was back in reach at half-time with the score at 30-20, St. Charles ahead.
A bit of momentum was all that it took. Marlette took charge in the 2nd half, this time relying on their running attack. Hayward and Comment were able to find running room against the normally-stingy St. Charles defensive front, especially off tackle. A few explosive runs by Comment gave them a 34-30 lead with only half of the 4th quarter left to play.
St. Charles had not trailed for even 1 second at any point during the regular season, so the Bulldogs were entering unfamiliar territory as they took over possession. They kept their composure and, a few minutes of game time later, found themselves with a 4th and 2 situation 30 yards from paydirt.
If you ran the wing T and had 4th and 2, you'd probably go with a Fullback dive. A halfback trap. Maybe, if you're feeling a bit adventurous, a QB sweep.
You've got to admire the St. Charles coaching staff's boldness. Brian Halas attempted his first pass of the night on 4th and 2. Marshall Davenport, who had spent the entire first half on the sideline with an injured shoulder, caught the pass and ran it into the end zone.
A block in the back penalty negated the score, but the first down remained. Ryan Humpert finished the drive with the game's final score, a 2 yard plunge that gave his team the 36-34 edge.
Marlette managed to make a heroic effort of their own, but were stopped on 4th down when Brad Saunders blew through the offensive line and thwarted the reverse attempt in the backfield.
With Davenport out of the game, Humpert carried the load for St. Charles to the tune of 189 yards and 3 touchdowns. Austin Comment led the Red Raiders with 240 total yards (94 rushing and 146 passing) and all 5 of Marlette's touchdowns.
The Red Raiders bowed out at 6-4, while the Bulldogs remained undefeated at 10-0 and are looking at a rematch with Nouvel Catholic Central (6-3) in the second round. Last season, the Panthers blew through the Bulldogs 52-0 in the 3rd round en route to their State Championship.
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