Electric Defense Leads Marion to Win Over Kingstree

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>MARION |</strong> "It feels good to get off to a good start and get Coach his first win here. We're going to soak this in and enjoy it for sure."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Those were the words spoken by Marion running back <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1818266' first='Jaydin' last='Reed']</strong> on Thursday after the Swamp Foxes secured a 33-6 win over the Kingstree Blazers. Reed (pictured above) finished the game with 19 carries for 90 rushing yards and two touchdowns. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On the opposite side of the ball, it was a host of Marion defenders that made numerous plays. The defense forced two turnovers; an interception returned for a touchdown by <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1818267' first='Bryson' last='Hunter'] </strong>and a fumble returned for a touchdown by <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1821489' first='Benjamin' last='Watford']</strong> that put the game on ice.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tackles for loss were also a factor, as defensive lineman <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1818274' first='Jermaine' last='Johnson']</strong> and linebacker <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1824195' first='Kameryn' last='Davis']</strong> each racked up multiple of those. Davis was also the culprit of a blocked punt that set Marion up with excellent field position early in the first half. All around, it was a defense that flew around and disrupted several plays before they could even get started.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For Kingstree, its defense forced four turnovers, but they weren't able to capitalize off of them. It was <strong>Jaward Cooper</strong> that got the game started with an interception returned for a touchdown. Kingstree also got interceptions from <strong>Meltrin Seegars</strong> and <strong>Breeton McClary</strong> both of which the offense was unable to capitalize on.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Other Marion Standouts</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Joshaun Grant</strong> WR, 2027 - Grant was the lead receiver in terms of catches, hauling in three of them for 25 yards. He also provided a spark early in the game when he was needed at quarterback, rushing for 38 yards on five carries.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1718520' first='Brennen' last='Wilson']</strong> WR. 2027 - Wilson hauled in the longest catch of the game for either side, a 23-yard catch-and-run to get his team into a 4th and manageable. That was his only catch of the game, but he showed his speed and ability to run away from defenders.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Other Kingstree Standouts</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Randy McFaden</strong> QB, 2027 - McFadden didn't have his best stuff, but he showed his ability to be a dual threat quarterback at times. He collected 46 total yards and showed flashes with quick hitting passes into traffic.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1036769' first='Maleek' last='Dukes']</strong> LB/TE, 2027 - Dukes made an impact on both sides of the ball, collecting one catch for seven yards, along with a sack and two tackles for loss. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1287466' first='Landon' last='Hannah']</strong> WR/DB, 2028 - Hannah is listed as a receiver and defensive back, but he made his biggest impact in the ground game. He rushed four times for 25 yards and showed an ability to shoot through gaps and pick up tough yards.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Xavian Wallace</strong> TE/DL, 2028 - Wallace was responsible fourth turnover forced by the Kingstree defense, as he forced and recovered a fumble. He was in the backfield on several players and showcased that he's tough to block on a consistent basis.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":[1824191],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":2340798,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a87cb777ac36"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Green was the man taking the snaps for Marion on Thursday night and he showcased a wide variety of talents.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Green is a talented thrower, as he consistently put balls on time and right into the hands of his receivers. He's also a downhill runner and powered through defenders on several occasions. His ability to be a threat both in the air and on the ground will be greatly beneficial.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->