Despite a slow start, the Apollo Eagles managed to fly past Marshall County 34-10 at home for their second win of the year.
The Eagles (2-3, 1-2 district) paired a strong ground game with suffocating defense that kept the Marshals (2-4, 0-3 district) at bay.
With only a 4-point lead at the half, some minor defensive adjustments by Apollo held Marshall County scoreless for the entire second half.
“They had the first drive of the game that took a while – we have to find ways to get off the field,” AHS coach John Edge said. “I think we came out a little flat and they got us on some things early. We came back in the second half and really fought hard.”
That first drive lasted over five minutes during which time Marshall County converted on fourth down in Apollo territory twice. The drive resulted in a 20-yard touchdown run by running back Garret Parker.
Harold Patterson was quick to return the favor, rushing for 59 yards in the opening drive. That would lay the groundwork for a 10-yard quarterback keeper by Damian Lovinsky that resulted in a touchdown.
Lovinsky added two more touchdowns on the night, his next one a 19-yard run to the outside that gave the Eagles a 14-7 lead. His final touchdown was another 10-yard run with just 39 seconds left on the clock. He finished the night with more than 200 yards on the ground.
Marshall County’s only other points came on a Talon Smothers field goal with time nearly expired in the first half.
Apollo freshman Noah Rhinerson stole the show in the second half, tallying over 40 yards rushing and two touchdowns. The 5’2 running back scored his first on a 5-yard rush up the middle in the third quarter while his second was a goal-line rush just seconds into the final frame.
“He’s a good kid – we like him and what he does and how he does it. He runs hard and that’s all you can ask for,” Edge said. “Any time you can add another weapon to your arsenal, you have to do it.
“It’s almost playoff time and you have to start adding more pieces to the puzzle.”
Apollo will play crosstown rival Daviess County next Friday at Reid Stadium. That game holds some major postseason implications that will likely determine who each team faces in the playoffs.
Apollo 34, Marshall County 10
AHS (2-3) 7 7 6 14-34
MCHS (2-4) 7 3 0 0-10
Scoring plays
First Quarter
6:57 (MC) Garret Parker rushes 20 yards for a touchdown (PAT good) 7-0
3:03 (AHS) Damian Lovinksy with a 10-yard touchdown run (PAT good) 7-7
Second Quarter
2:27 (AHS) Damian Lovinsky 19-yard quarterback keeper (PAT good) 14-7
1.5 (MC) Talon smothers FG 14-10
Third Quarter
7:00 (AHS) Noah Rhinerson 5-yard touchdown run (PAT no good) 20-7
Fourth Quarter
11:24 (AHS) Noah Rhinerson records a goal-line touchdown (PAT good) 27-7
0:39 (AHS) Damian Lovinsky 10-yard touchdown run (PAT good) 34-7