By Jim Irish
Photos by Dustyn Werner
WALLER — Bastrop is building a football tradition. Fort Bend Marshall already has one.
The Bears succumbed to Marshall — which displayed a relentless and time-consuming running attack — in a 38-10 area loss on Friday at Daikin Stadium.
In 15 years as head coach, James Williams has guided the Buffaloes to 12 playoffs, including the last nine consecutive seasons.
”Fort Bend Marshall is obviously an established program,” Bastrop head coach Jake Griedl said. “They’re big up front (on offense). They ground and pound. Coach Williams does an awesome job. That’s a credit to him and his staff.”
"Fort Bend Marshall is obviously an established program. ... They ground and pound."
-- Bastrop head coach Jake Griedl
Three offensive linemen — each weighing 300 pounds or more — blocked well, enabling Marshall running backs to pick up first downs and sustain drives.
”Our guys were up to the task, and we were able to run the ball the entire night,” Williams said. “That opened up everything on the outside. That was the key to the game.”
"Our guys were up to the task, and we were able to run the ball the entire night."
-- Marshall head coach James Williams
The Buffs ran up 310 yards rushing. Peyton Long led the rushing attack with 132 yards on 17 carries and one touchdown of 18 yards.
“He does a great job inside between the tackles,” Williams said about Long. “He can make you miss, and he can get those tough yards and the first downs.”
Marshall’s Kaedon Johnson, an athletic 6-foot-6, 215-pound quarterback, had no fear running directly at Bastrop defenders. He pounded for 76 yards on 14 attempts and picked up crucial first downs.
Durell Taylor, another Marshall running back, dashed for 75 yards on 100 carries and scored on runs of 2, 1, and 10 yards.
Bastrop's Bryan Pauley intercepted Johnson on a tipped pass on the game's first possession.
On its first possession of the contest, Bastrop quarterback Weston Nielsen was on target, completing all six of his passes. He connected on the final two to Brent Carter for 31 and 18 yards for the touchdown and a 7-0 lead.
On its next possession, Bastrop moved to the Marshall two-yard line before stalling and settling for a 20-yard field goal by Issac Dugger midway through the second quarter.
From that point forward, Marshall (10-2) dominated the contest.
Following the Dugger field goal, Marshall went after Bastrop cornerback Ramonz Adams, who was flagged for two consecutive 15-yard interference calls. After the two penalties, Marshall’s Johnson picked on Adams, the second-quickest athlete behind Keyshon Moore, on the next play, resulting in a 33-yard reception to Jordan Simmons at the one-yard line. Taylor scored from the one with Marshall up 14-10.
”I wasn’t a big fan of those two calls, especially with everything else that was going on,” Griedl said. “It seemed the game was pretty physical except when Ramonz was guarding (a Marshall athlete).”
Marshall then scored after a Nielsen interception and a shanked nine-yard punt by Dugger for a 24-10 advantage.
”They had the momentum for seven, eight minutes, and we couldn’t regain it, Griedl said. “In those seven, eight minutes, they were able to put on 17 points. In high school football, that’s a big deal.”
"They had the momentum for seven, eight minutes, and we couldn't regain it. ..."
-- Griedl
In the fourth quarter, Nielsen hit a streaking Moore down the right sideline for a 66-yard gain to the Marshall 11, but Nielsen fumbled on the next play, one of two by the sophomore quarterback. He also threw an interception in the first half.
On a drive in the third quarter to the Marshall 20, Nielsen threw four incomplete passes to lose possession.
Nielsen completed 17-of-30 passes for 266 yards. In their final games as seniors, Moore had five receptions for 117 yards; Adams five for 49 yards; and Jaelyn Gratten one for 13 yards.
Carter, a junior, caught four for 74 yards.
Bastrop was stopped cold on its run attack, with minus eight yards. LaDainian Merino couldn’t get untracked because of quick Marshall defensive line and rushed for 21 yards on six attempts.
Bastrop (9-3) broke through this season, capturing the district title with a 7-0 record and earning its first playoff victory since 2010.
”I think the culture’s changed,” Griedl said. “As a coaching staff, we’re sure proud of these kids.
”I think we did something that people didn’t expect us to do. But the people in the program expected it. The fun part is that this is just the start for Bastrop. It’s gonna be awesome.
In the regional quarterfinals, Marshall faces Iowa Colony, which defeated the Buffs in district.
Jim Irish is a freelance writer in Bastrop, Texas
Comments