Jamboree Recap: Marshall Co. Performs Well vs. Page

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2>The home Tigers hosted last year's Class 5A runner-up and made a statement as a possible team to watch this season and sleeper 4A title contender. </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Down in the countryside of Lewisburg, Tennessee, the Tigers of Marshall County hosted Class 5A power Page for their last tune up prior to the start of the regular season next Friday and the home team performed at a high level, proving ready for the upcoming grind.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Tigers striked early on the opening drive, taking the ball easily down field by way of both the pass and the run with senior running back <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='155405' first='Demari' last='Braden']</strong> eventually finishing things off in the endzone. Braden was one of the top performers on the night scoring twice and having several other strong runs.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Page answered right back on their first offensive drive of the game with a long, breakaway run from junior back <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='277796' first='Ethan' last='Cunningham']</strong>. This guy has some explosive traits and could be in store for a breakout season as the lead back for the Patriots.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>That score from Cunningham proved to be the last time the Patriots would find the endzone on the evening as the Marshall Co. defense was salty and did a good job of getting off the field and keeping the Patriots offense on the sidelines.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":413902,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/08/20220812_195244-1024x576.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-413902"/></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As the Tigers defense was shutting down Page, the Marshall Co. offense looked sharp and well balanced, moving the ball through the air and on the ground. Braden was the consistent force that scored two rushing touchdowns on the night but it was his teammate in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='390641' first='Aja' last='Jones'] </strong>that stole the show.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The sophomore wideout has been building some buzz throughout camp and practices but last night he took that buzz to the field and put on an athletic display, catching everything thrown his way while also blazing past defenders with his excellent speed. Watch out for Jones as this guy could be one of the best receiver prospects from our in-state 2024 recruiting class.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Throwing it to Jones last night was junior signal caller <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='398083' first='Silas' last='Teat']</strong>, who is a transfer from Oakland that brings balance to the Tigers offense as an accurate, consistent passer with strong leadership qualities.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Having Teat behind center gives the Tigers offense a legit passing attack, so Marshall County could be in-store for a big season, especially if all the skill positions develop properly and everybody stays healthy.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":413895,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/08/20220812_193235-1024x576.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-413895"/></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As the 1st half came to an end, the home Tigers held a commanding 29-6 lead over Page and came away feeling good about themselves and their effort on the night but for the road Patriots, they weren't as happy however it was a scrimmage and opportunity to learn.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Page will bounce back and be ready for the season starting next week and Marshall Co. now looks like a formidable team that can cause damage in the Class 4A ranks, especially with Teat at the helm.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Tigers Have Strong Youthful Talent&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Over the next two years, Marshall Co. could be in store for some major success as they sport a strong junior and sophomore class that had multiple guys stand out on Friday night. Jones was the guy who stood out the most but others like <strong>Antwomme Cowthorn</strong>, <strong>Jakavan Curry</strong> and <strong>Jayden Randolph </strong>had flashes of brilliance as well.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cowthorn is a tall and athletic guy who could excel on either side of the ball but showed last night the upside to play defensive back on the next level. Curry is another athletic two-way guy who plays with excitement and flies all around the field. Randolph could push himself into one of the top wideout prospects on the Tigers roster with more work on the field and in the weight room.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>All four of these guys look like cornerstone pieces for the future of the Tigers program and four talented players that could have a future in college football with further development.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Future Studs Reside at Page</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Coming off a Class 5A title appearance, the Patriots are looking to replace several key starters from last year but still have multiple top tier guys and veterans to lead the way but it's their junior and sophomore classes that will be the building blocks for this program over the next few years.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Over on offense, junior tackle <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='149171' first='Ronan' last='O'Connell'] </strong>is a beast and already rated as the top O-line prospect for the in-state 2024 class. Last night in Lewisburg, O'Connell played both ways and looked dominant at times and someone that will continue to see his stock increase over the coming months.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":413896,"width":906,"height":510,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/08/20220812_185215-1024x576.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-413896" width="906" height="510"/></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Page has a trio of sophomores that not only stood out last night based on their size but also because of their game play and upside. The top guy that many may know about already is <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='219439' first='Eric' last='Hazzard']</strong>. The 6'4 edge rusher looks the part and can move very well, showing the ability to rush the backfield but also drop and cover. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='219378' first='Connor' last='Coffman'] </strong>is another guy from the trenches that had flashes last night. He is another 6'4 sophomore that has the college size and measurables, so it will be exciting to see his development over the coming years.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A new guy to the Patriots team but not from the Middle Tennessee area is sophomore linebacker <strong>Brendan Anes</strong>. This is a 6'2 200 plus linebacker that has great size already and showed last night the ability to run and chase down the ball. Anes should be a good that busts on the scene this season and next offseason and become a top prospect for his position.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While the Patriots did not perform at the level they wanted to on Friday night, they still have a good team with loads of size and youthful talent that will only get better as the season goes along. O'Connell, Hazzard, Coffman and Anes are strong building blocks for the future but Page has others as well that will make names for themselves throughout the coming months and join them as possible future stars. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->