John Marshall too much for Weir High, get first win for Kropka
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MOUNDSVILLE -- The first victory at John Marshall for coach Justin Kropka didn't come as easy as the 36-0 final showing on the scoreboard Friday night may have looked.
Several key veteran leaders have gone down with injuries, making his already youthful Monarchs even younger, but the pride of the underclassmen was undeniable.
JM was sparked by freshman tailback Klypson Wallace, who raced for 160 yards and three touchdowns on 22 attempts.
"I'm not sure I've ever had a team face more adversity in a week's span than we did," Kropka said. "First we got beat 55-0 last week to University, then we lose Benny McCardle -- one of the best two-way players in the Ohio Valley, then we lose Braden Hagadorn -- one of our only returning starters for the season, then Nate Menendez goes down during the game, so most of our guys playing were freshmen and sophomores.
"As long as you come out on the right side of it, though, that's a great experience for these guys. There were a lot of quote-unquote backups on the field (Friday) but putting those kids in pressure situations this early in their career is great for them."
All five of the Monarchs' touchdowns came on the ground as the team ran for 331 yards on 41 carries.
"I gave our linemen a pat on the back on Tuesday and told them 'we are starting a freshman at tailback, so it's you guys,'" Kropka said.
They certainly rose to the occasion but were helped by a solid defensive effort, as well.
On the first drive of the game, the Monarchs' defense got to Weir quarterback Malachi Stromile and forced a fumble, which was recovered by Jared Kerekes at the Red Riders' 7-yard line.
Wallace scored his first career touchdown on the ensuing play.
"We dug a hole early," Weir coach Frank Sisinni said. "We put the ball on the ground. We had a sprint out pass to the right side and Malachi got hit in the back and the ball came loose, which gave them a short field. We were reeling a bit after that but ultimately the game was won up front. We couldn't stop them off the tackle."
In his second start under center, Jacob Coffield showed off his legs with a 51-yard touchdown scamper on the Monarchs' second drive to make it a 14-0 cushion.
Another JM player showed off his legs but it wasn't for his running ability. Kicker Connor Fitzpatrick delivered a successful onside kick, which he recovered himself.
He also supplied several touchbacks and a 22-yard field goal to make it a 17-0 contest.
Wallace added another first-half TD from 3 yards away as the Monarchs scored on five of their seven first-half possessions for a 23-0 advantage.
"We told our guys at halftime not to worry about the scoreboard," Sisinni said. "We told them to just keep stacking plays, stacking series, and stacking quarters and we saw a little bit of that but we ran out of gas. This was a Class AAA team and a tough place to play and we battled to the end."
Wallace capped his career-day with a 5-yard jaunt into the endzone for a 30-0 upperhand to start the fourth quarter.
Then, junior J.D. Wells showcased his skills as he recorded all 61 yards on one drive that culminated in an 8-yard TD run by Wells to seal the Senior Night victory.
"I'm happy for our seniors," Kropka said. "You always want to win your senior night game and they did so I'm thrilled for them.
"Hats off to Weir and coach Sisinni. He is building a program there and he is doing all the right things. It's just a matter of time."
The Monarchs' stout defense held Weir to only three first downs and 77 total yards of offense.
"Coach (Bruce) Stiles and those defensive guys did a nice job this week getting them ready to play," Kropka said. "To give up 55 points last week is not easy to come back from but our kids bought into what our coaches were saying and pitched a shutout."
Coffield finished with 110 yards passing and 51 yards rushing for JM.
John Marshall 36, Weir 0
Weir 0 0 0 0 -- 0
JM 14 9 0 13 -- 36
J -- Wallace 7 run (Fitzpatrick kick), 9:11
J -- Coffield 51 run (Fitzpatrick kick), 4:59
J -- Fitzpatrick 22 field goal, 7:43
J -- Wallace 3 run (kick failed), 3:52
J -- Wallace 5 run (Fitzpatrick kick), 11:19
J -- Wells 8 run (run failed), 5:23
Rushing: Weir 31-43 (Stromile 10-12, Yobbagy 5-25, Lyons 6-(-4), Hubbard-Bass 6-6, Colson 2-4, Mowder 2-0), John Marshall 41-331-5td (Wallace 22-160-3td, White 2-27, Coffield 8-51-td, Menendez 2-14, Hughes 1-18, Wells 6-61).
Passing: Weir 7-11-34 (Stromile 6-10-19, Yobbagy 1-1-15), John Marshall 5-10-110-x (Sobutka 0-1-x, Coffield 6-9-110).
Receiving: Weir 7-34 (Nosko 2-14, Maley 2-2, Yobbagy 2-3, Colson 1-13), John Marshall 5-110 (Brad. Sobutka 1-14, White 2-30, Menendez 1-26, Hagedorn 1-0, Hughes 1-40).
First Downs: Weir 3, John Marshall 22.
Penalties-Yards: Weir 0-0, John Marshall 9-75.
Fumbles-Lost: Weir 3-1, John Marshall 2-0.