McLean County relied on a dominant run game to end their regular season on a four-game win streak, defeating Marshall County 30-14 on Friday night. Aden Bolden was the catalyst for the Cougar’s offense, finishing with two rushing touchdowns of 60+ yards.
Defense was the theme of the first half for both teams with neither side relenting. With 5:36 left in the second quarter, McLean County took an 8-0 lead after Ayden Rice ran it in from 26 yards out and Kamden Walters scored the two-point conversion.
Marshall County responded on their ensuing drive, throwing a 34-yard touchdown pass to cut the lead to one. The Cougars went up 16-7 with 3:35 remaining in the third quarter after Bolden threw a 6-yard touchdown pass to HB Whitaker and Rice ran in the two-point conversion.
A few minutes into the fourth quarter, Bolden extended the Cougars lead to 22-7 after ripping off a 63-yard touchdown run. Marshall County quickly responded with a touchdown drive of their own to cut the lead to 22-14. Two minutes later Bolden iced the game, breaking free for a 61-yard touchdown run followed by a Walters’ two-point conversion.
The Cougars finished the regular season 7-3 and will take on Adair County in the first round of the 3A playoffs.
“It was a good win and a great senior night for our guys,” McLean County head coach Zach Wagner said. “Now, it’s onto Adair who has a solid team with great speed.”
