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Home > Blogs > High School Huddle > Archives > 2009 > October > 21 > Entry
Marshall coach: ‘I probably lost 15 pounds that week’
Thurgood Marshall had just finished football practice on the low-lying field that once hosted practices for the old Roth High School, and coach Earl White was talking about his team.
Behind him, his four running backs with the mind-boggling numbers — Tavion Wright, Dionte Oliver, Brandon Walker and Quincy Surles — were posing with quarterback Avontae Penn for a photo. They wore their jerseys with serious looks on their faces.
These are serious times for the Marshall football team. Forced to forfeit its first three games for using an ineligible player, Marshall stands 5-3 and on the cusp of the Division IV playoffs. Entering a Week 9 matchup with Dunbar to decide the city championship, the Cougars are No. 9 in the D-IV, Region 16 computer points.
Sports often provide major “What if?” situations, and here’s one for Marshall: What if the Cougars hadn’t been forced to forfeit those games? Would they indeed be considered one of the best teams to ever play in the city?
Discussion on that will continue. But the reality at Marshall is that those three games — wins on the field against Greenon, Chaminade Julienne and Jefferson — are now losses.
“I was absolutely devastated,” White said of learning of the ineligibility. “I probably lost 15 pounds that week, I was absolutely devastated. But, you know, we had no choice but to pick up the pieces and move on.”
Marshall has indeed moved on, winning its four games since the decision by scoring an average of 62 points. The Cougars give up their share of points, but with a tight double wing offense and the mix of speed and power backs, opposing coaches say it’s just too difficult to catch up with their offense.
“They’re the best offensive team we’ve ever played,” said Brad Burchfield, coach at Columbus Bishop Hartley, which Marshall defeated 60-41 in Week 7. “Not even close.”
At the time, Marshall officials declined to elaborate on the ineligibility. On Tuesday, White explained a bit more.
“We had a young man on our roster who was academically ineligible,” White said. “It’s a kid who was here, he was with us last year. Somehow, administratively, we missed his grades, not checking his grades.”
By the time Marshall officials learned of the problem, the players had already participated in the first three games. They all became losses.
But somehow, if Marshall can catch some magic and indeed make the playoffs, with the running backs the coaches expect to gain a combined 5,000 rushing yards during the regular season, many feel the Cougars would be a major threat in D-IV.
“If they make the playoffs and someone stops them, I want to see how they do it,” Burchfield said. “People have an idea how to stop double wing, but I think when you combine backs with those linemen, it’s sickening.
“It literally makes you sick to your stomach.”
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Comments
By CAPRI
October 21, 2009 6:34 PM | Link to this
well i am lady cougar and we will the playoffs
By chuck
October 22, 2009 12:24 AM | Link to this
That team has a name Alter. The team does not have to stop them just outscore them If Marshall can beat them, they are legit state title contenders. Kenton is also very good in Reg 16
By old coach
October 22, 2009 8:48 AM | Link to this
Couple of teams need to get bunped off in the next two weeks. One is Carlisle. They have P. Shawnee this week and Dixie next week. Of the two Dixie stands a better chance, but, dosen;t look good. Just win out Marshall and keep your fingers crossed. I’l be pulling for you. If Marshal makes it, they will beat Alter.
By Henry
October 23, 2009 4:36 PM | Link to this
Haven’t seen these guys or Alter play. Would it be a good game? Alter suposedly has a really good “D” right?
By Freshman Phenom
October 25, 2009 8:36 PM | Link to this
Alter might have good Defense but not good enough to stop Thurgood Marshall’s offense
By Proud supporter
October 26, 2009 11:12 PM | Link to this
Give us (Marshall) a chance and we can show you better than we can tell you…