“We said, ‘Naw, a tie game ain’t going to win the game, so we needed two. We need this win.’ ”
White listened and Marshall converted. There would be yet another score, but the only thing that mattered was that Marshall had done the improbable, derailing previously unbeaten Alter 35-27 at Welcome Stadium.
The jubilant Marshall sideline went bonkers when it was apparent victory was ensured in the closing minutes.
It wasn’t just a Cougars victory. This was a statement playoff win for the City League, just its third since 1980.
“This means everything to Dayton Public Schools first and foremost,” White said. “It’s not just about Thurgood Marshall.
“We said going into the playoffs that we wanted to play undefeated Alter in the first round. That was our goal and that’s what we got and the kids came out on top.”
Marshall may have wanted the best in Alter, but the playoff-tested Knights knew better. This game had a championship feel to it, unlike many other first-round blowouts.
Marshall’s payoff is a Division III, Region 12 semifinal next Friday against another unbeaten squad, Springfield Shawnee. The neutral site will be announced on Sunday.
Crisp was gold for the Cougars yet again. He personally torched the Knights with four touchdown dashes, covering 32, 31, 19 and 10 yards.
The funky double wing-T with double handoffs was effective, but it was around the edge that Marshall, especially Crisp, was so effective. Alter’s rugged defense was up to the misdirection challenge up the middle, but was too vulnerable when Crisp bounced outside.
It was a stunning setback for the Knights, just two seasons removed from a state championship. It didn’t help that standout senior running back Joe Penno was lost to an ankle injury after scoring the Knights’ go-ahead TD early in the second quarter.
“It hurts; I know it does,” said Alter coach Ed Domsitz after White and every other Marshall assistant sought him out afterward.
“I hope they have a run here and go all the way and represent Dayton. If you’re going to beat us, get yourself a state championship.”
Count Alter super QB Malik Zaire as a new believer, too.
“They weren’t afraid to go for the win and that’s what they did,” he said. “All props to them.”
It also was a great start to what promises to be an outstanding series. Alter and Marshall will play in the regular season in 2013 and ’14, and could well meet again in future playoffs.
Alter will have to be content wondering what might have been.
It’s the 10th straight win for Marshall, and this game stamped it a genuine dream season.
Contact this writer at (937) 225-2381 or mpendleton@DaytonDaily News.com.
About the Author