Tyler High (0-0) @ Marshall (0-0)

[cujoforlife]

Cujo only gave up one big run in the scrimmage against Tigers. If the defense is about to limit the run like last season game against the Mavs. I see this game being winnable.

[cujo2016]

Man, with Marshall being at home I’ll have to give them the W.

[nacdragon07]

On 8/23/2024 at 9:41 PM, cujoforlife said:

Cujo only gave up one big run in the scrimmage against Tigers. If the defense is about to limit the run like last season game against the Mavs. I see this game being winnable.

the huge difference to me this year as to last year is the depth at the RB position for Marshall and the O-line experience. the lions will have to make marshall beat them with the pass. 

[cujoforlife]

7 minutes ago, nacdragon07 said:

the huge difference to me this year as to last year is the depth at the RB position for Marshall and the O-line experience. the lions will have to make marshall beat them with the pass. 

going against a run heavy team that is always to game plan. The Mavs will have to stop pass, but TH isn’t as pass happy as people think. they were forced to pass more than they wanted to. 

[gottacaseofsiccadis]

I think it will be tight, but going with my boys at JT on this one.

[TrumpisDump]

JT by 10+

[3rdcoastent]

 

[Mavchamp]

 

[Coach Rab]

On 7/30/2024 at 6:00 PM, Mavchamp said:

I'm expecting another classic like we saw last season.  I could do without the 108 degrees and the 5 OT's this time around.

I STILL think we got that 2 point conversion that would have forced a 6th OT....refs must have been tired.  lmao.  

ANYHOW.....

The Mavs closed out last season red hot with a blowout of Nac (70-40), a must-win game against Whitehouse in the regular season finale (30-28) , and a tough bi-district win over Denison (28-20).

eIn the second round they had #2 Midlothian Heritage on the ropes late into the fourth quarter before falling 21-14 in a game most were predicting a blowout.

Marshall has lots key components returning this season....and some question marks too.

Running Backs

The backfield should be in much better shape than it was headed into last season. 

Entering 2023....Semaj Gatson was expected to be the workhorse of the offense.  But by season's end the Mavs had a stable of runners to keep defenses guessing.  

RB Gatson will be the leader as the senior.  He had over 800 yards last season....averaging 6 yards per carry.  He's shifty and fast.  He had 8 scores.  Once he gets his burners going, he's tough to catch.

RB Landon Jones was THE unexpected surprise last season as a sophomore.  He's BIG.  He's a bruiser...and unlike the finesse of Gatson...he would rather run over/through you than around you.  He was 6'1" and 225 last year.  He looks a tad taller and has added even more muscle as a junior.  He had almost 600 yards rushing in 2023 with 11 scores.  He had another 200 yards receiving.  Power football runner.

Isaiah Bush rounded out what became a three-headed monster for the Mavs last season with his 500 yards on the ground (and 100 catching).   He averaged 6.2 yards per carry. 

There are a couple of guys moving up from a JV that went (8-2, 5-1) last season that could prove to be valuable in the backfield too.

Wide Receivers 

Raijon Sims was the #1 target last season in an offense that struggled to pass at times.  He still managed 500 yards and 5 scores.  He averaged just over 16 yards per catch.  He has good hands and has a turbo speed.

While Gatson and Jones are primarily running backs...they both combined for more than 300 yards receiving in 2023.... they could see even more of that this season with a seasoned OL and a QB to sling it around to multiple targets.

WR Tyler Johnigan lit it up last season on the freshman team...and was targeted for a couple of big passes in the playoffs for varsity last November.  He had a strong spring and is expected to skip the JV level and play varsity as a sophomore this season.

WR Judson Illingworth was hobbled by injuries last season.... but at almost 6'3' and 200#.... he could prove to be a beast his senior year.

Offensive Line

Marshall returns their entire offensive line from last season.  That's good news and bad news in a sense.  When they were good, they were very good.  But when they struggled...they were awful.  Their performances Vs. Hallsville, PT, Nac, Whitehouse, Denison, and Midlothian Heritage were stellar..... but they laid eggs Vs. Texas High, MP, Longview, and Carthage.  They got better as the season progressed....but they lacked consistency.  They will need to be solid to make the stable of RB's and a pocket passer QB successful.

Quarterback

Collier Slone was a field general.  He passed for 1,100 yards last season in spite of some fans' criticism that he couldn't pass......more than 3,000 career passing yards as a Maverick says otherwise.  But he's headed to college and the Mavs need a new signal-caller.

The Mavs trialed three guys at the QB position over the spring.  All three had positives....and some areas of concern.

Alton Henderson (Jr)-  This guy reminds me of the scrambling Marshall QB's of old.... like Cam Haller, Bryce French, Justin Hart, Darius Jones, Paul Todd, Brandon Walker, and of course Benny Valentine.  He has crazy happy legs with the ability to tuck it and bolt downfield.  This is an aspect Marshall hasn't really had at QB since JJ in 2018.  He has a strong arm.  Good at short passes....struggles with long passed downfield.  Biggest issue?  SIZE.  He's only 5'10".  That could be an issue Vs. big defensive lines.

Kyler Thompson (Jr)- This guy can chunk the rock.  He appears to be more accurate with the long pass....and he can heave it a long way downfield.  BUT.... he's not as mobile as Henderson.  He's also in the 5'10" neighborhood.

Bryce Alexander (Jr)- He's the dark horse.  He's an all-district pitcher for the Mav baseball team...so his arm strength is unquestionable.  But he's had the least snaps of the three.  It will be interesting to see if he gets a shot in August to get the job.  Even if it's for special packages.  

Defense

Defense is expected to be the strength of the team...esp while the offense finds its rhythm with a new QB.

Defensive linemen Junior Eric Perkins is the anchor at 6'4" 340#.  He's a beast and garnering D1 offers.  

DR Kaiden (DE) will return after a stellar season last year. 

Jayden Cooks also comes back.

--------------------------------

The Mavs are going to get tested early with their opening games Vs. Tyler and Longview.  They will likely be underdogs Vs. 6A Legacy too.

(0-3) isn't out of the question.  (1-2) is likely.  I'd be thrilled with (2-1) headed into the Palestine game.

Either way.....Marshall will be battle tested by the time MP comes to Maverick Stadium to open district.

@Mavchamp is it strange seeing some of these kids at MHS and surrounding schools and now saying "I went to high school with their dad?"  

Anyway, I know I am disconnected from the loop and have been for a while other than what my family and friends that live in Marshall say, but I think there are more bright spots than concerns for sure.

With the offense Marshall runs, returning your entire offensive line and 20 TDs at RB will make Marshall very scary early on.  Top that with the defense projected to be even better and more stable, WATCH OUT.  

I look forward to hearing more information from you guys as the season goes on.  Go Mavs!

[Mavchamp]

On 8/27/2024 at 6:00 AM, Coach Rab said:

@Mavchamp is it strange seeing some of these kids at MHS and surrounding schools and now saying "I went to high school with their dad?"  

Anyway, I know I am disconnected from the loop and have been for a while other than what my family and friends that live in Marshall say, but I think there are more bright spots than concerns for sure.

With the offense Marshall runs, returning your entire offensive line and 20 TDs at RB will make Marshall very scary early on.  Top that with the defense projected to be even better and more stable, WATCH OUT.  

I look forward to hearing more information from you guys as the season goes on.  Go Mavs!

It's wild seeing friends' kids on the field.  

Non-athletically speaking....it's crazy how much MISD has changed.  Who would have EVER thought we'd have all new schools K-8?  I have friends teaching and it was a game-changer.

MHS construction isn't done.....but when it's finished next year... it's going to look like a brand new school.  The transformation is WOW.  Insane seeing the change.

--------------
I think Tyler is improved from 2023....and that's a challenge.  But I think Marshall is better than 2023 too.

When we played the Lions last season we had no offensive identity.  We were basically a one man show at RB.  But as the season progressed......we found new weapons.

This season we enter with a stable of running backs in Gatson, Bush, and Jones.  Toss in Lias....who had a BEAST spring and scrimmage last week.... that's going to be interesting.

Our question mark is QB....where Henderson could be special.  We haven't had a wild and craxy scrambling QB since 2018.  He could be that guy.  He has a strong arm...but he's untested.  His short game looked good in the scrimmage (screens, bubble passes).  But going downfield is a question mark thus far.  Promising.  But unproven.

Tyler has an outstanding QB back.  But his #1 and #2 targets from last year are gone.  

IMHO...this game will come down to which teams' defense has improved.  There wasn't much defense in last season's game.

I'm expecting an exciting game.

[cujoforlife]

8 minutes ago, Mavchamp said:

It's wild seeing friends' kids on the field.  

Non-athletically speaking....it's crazy how much MISD has changed.  Who would have EVER thought we'd have all new schools K-8?  I have friends teaching and it was a game-changer.

MHS construction isn't done.....but when it's finished next year... it's going to look like a brand new school.  The transformation is WOW.  Insane seeing the change.

--------------
I think Tyler is improved from 2023....and that's a challenge.  But I think Marshall is better than 2023 too.

When we played the Lions last season we had no offensive identity.  We were basically a one man show at RB.  But as the season progressed......we found new weapons.

This season we enter with a stable of running backs in Gatson, Bush, and Jones.  Toss in Lias....who had a BEAST spring and scrimmage last week.... that's going to be interesting.

Our question mark is QB....where Henderson could be special.  We haven't had a wild and craxy scrambling QB since 2018.  He could be that guy.  He has a strong arm...but he's untested.  His short game looked good in the scrimmage (screens, bubble passes).  But going downfield is a question mark thus far.  Promising.  But unproven.

Tyler has an outstanding QB back.  But his #1 and #2 targets from last year are gone.  

IMHO...this game will come down to which teams' defense has improved.  There wasn't much defense in last season's game.

I'm expecting an exciting game.

Last seasons game was Cujo coming out party and finding away to win. TH is a run first team and has JR RB Aston and Sophomore RB McMillan who was just as fast as McFall from last season. The Defense controlled the line of scrimmage against Terrell. This will be a low scoring game. The first one to 28 or 35 should win.

[CUJONATION83]

Tyler high. As long as the blocking is consistent, Tyler should be in a great position to win.

[cujo2016]

1 hour ago, CUJONATION83 said:

Tyler high. As long as the blocking is consistent, Tyler should be in a great position to win.

I’ll agree with the blocking, it has to be better than it was against Terrell.

On the other hand with Marshall’s  returning offense line and running backs could very well be the gamer. The weather could be the recipe for it. TH CB has to get better on covering the long ball. If Terrell QB had any accuracy on the long ball… 

GO CUJO!

[mav01]

Toss up game again. Home team has won the last 2, so I'll stick with that. Turnovers and ST could be the difference in a close game. Does JT have a good fg kicker? 

[NODAYSOFFTX]

Losing Mcfall wont be a loss. Four Star WR Trey haralson, and Trey Q, Sirles in the slot, Along with two really good TE in Chris Moore- (Chapel Hill Transfer), and Powers being the other TE, will be more than we had last year at receiver. Add in Ashton Arriaga, along with an another 4 star talent Cadarius McMiller at running back if executed right without injures will be almost unstoppable. This offense last year was hindered in some capacity because mcfall was the focus, now since he is gone the offense will flow a lot better. Oh and don’t forget the offense newcomer of the year is back at QB. 

Edited August 29 by NODAYSOFFTX

[VonG]

1 hour ago, NODAYSOFFTX said:

Losing Mcfall wont be a loss. Four Star WR Trey haralson, and Trey Q, Sirles in the slot, Along with two really good TE in Chris Moore- (Chapel Hill Transfer), and Powers being the other TE, will be more than we had last year at receiver. Add in Ashton Arriaga, along with an another 4 star talent Cadarius McMiller at running back if executed right without injures will be almost unstoppable. This offense last year was hindered in some capacity because mcfall was the focus, now since he is gone the offense will flow a lot better. Oh and don’t forget the offense newcomer of the year is back at QB. 

Dang, you took the words right out of my mouth. I was discussing this very topic with someone earlier about with what you just said. Especially about Tra and Sirles. Throw in Nick Collins. I know the offense is going to be better than last year. With that being said, give me Tyler by at least 13.

Edited August 29 by VonG

[NODAYSOFFTX]

12 minutes ago, VonG said:

I was just telling someone earlier about with what you just said. Especially about Tra and Sirles. Throw in Nick Collins. I know the offense is going to be better than last year. With that being said, give me Tyler by at least 13.

Offense is Way better than last year, I didn’t even mention drummer at RB who going to split carries with Mcmiller until Arriaga is back healthy. Over the next few weeks people will see that we are more potent without mcfall than we were with him. 

Edited August 29 by NODAYSOFFTX

[NODAYSOFFTX]

Will KHMT be streaming the game? @Mavchamp

[Mavchamp]

29 minutes ago, NODAYSOFFTX said:

Will KHMT be streaming the game? @Mavchamp

Yessir

[Mavchamp]

Game Preview on my page: 

https://www.marshallmavericks.net/gameday

[cujoforlife]

The TH coaches just need to go back and look at the Longview games to get a good game plan. Since, Marshall is running basically the same offense with a little a bit of difference here and there. The same as PT last season. 

[Mavchamp]

Freshman Game
Tyler 30
Marshall 8

Junior Varsity Game
Marshall 12
Tyler 6

[cujoforlife]

34 minutes ago, Mavchamp said:

Freshman Game
Tyler 30
Marshall 8

Junior Varsity Game
Marshall 12
Tyler 6

i will take the JV score. they didn’t score at all last season and the held marshall to only 12 points i will take that. and great job freshman

[cujoforlife]

2 hours ago, Mavchamp said:

Freshman Game
Tyler 30
Marshall 8

Junior Varsity Game
Marshall 12
Tyler 6

is there any video of the games like last season 

[cujoforlife]

https://www.kltv.com/2024/08/29/tyler-high-football-coach-comments-discipline-ahead-opening-game-against-marshall/