HIGH SCHOOL

Marchman, West power Bearcats to win

Zach Duncan
Times Record News

WINDTHORST – Zack West is a proven commodity at quarterback. The Henrietta senior will bulldoze his way down the turf and any would-be tackler is going to suffer bruises getting in his way.

Henrietta's Mason Marchman is tackled by Windthorst's Koy Pennartz in the season opener Friday, Sept. 1, 2017, in Windthorst.

That West found the end zone twice in Friday night’s first half against Windthorst wasn’t surprising.

But West knows he can’t carry the ball every snap. That’s why Mason Marchman darting through the Trojans’ defense was such a pleasant occurrence.

Marchman rushed for 125 yards and two touchdowns and caught an 18-yard bullet from West in a 42-32 road victory that was a strong opening salvo from a program coming off two straight double-digit winning seasons.

Windthorst's Koy Pennartz had a productive season-opening night, totaling 228 yards rushing and receiving in a loss to Henrietta.

“You’ve got one who can run through and over you, and you’ve got one who runs around you from any direction,” Windthorst coach Chris Tackett said of West and Marchman. “They’ve got some weapons.”

It was more than just the Bearcats’ weapons. Henrietta’s defense picked off Hunter Wolf three times and turned four turnovers into 21 points. The Trojans fumbled the ball on their second play and never could recovered from an early 14-point deficit.

Those mistakes can happen when the calendar reads September. It’s learning from them – like the Trojans did after recovering from a 1-4 start last year – that will be key.

Marchman did the most damage with quick cutbacks, which led to a yardage total that was more than half of his 2016 production as a sophomore backup. In a deep district that went 6-0 on Friday night, having a 1-2 backfield punch will go a long way to the Bearcats defending their 5-3A Division II title.

“That relieves me when I’m out there exhausted so having him with me by my side is good,” Zack West said. “He’s definitely putting in the work out there.”

Henrietta's Zack West looks to pass to a receiver in the season opener against Windthorst Friday, Sept. 1, 2017, in Windthorst.

Marchman wasn’t the only Bearcat who had a nice opener. Seth Sanderson didn’t play football last year, but his 95-yard interception return early in the third quarter put the Bearcats ahead 35-12.

Cody Daniel and Kaleb Liggett also picked off passes for a secondary breaking in all new starters. Wolf did throw for 300 yards, but the turnovers offset the big plays in the passing game.

“Some of our kids who didn’t have as much experience as we would like really shined,” Henrietta coach Byron West said. “They stepped up and filled some holes. Some of the questions we had answered tonight.”

Henrietta's Mason Marchman runs behind the line of scrimmage in the season opener against Windthorst Friday, Sept. 1, 2017, in Windthorst.

The final score is deceiving because Zack West – who gained 155 yards and passed for 89 more – didn’t even step on the field in a fourth quarter the Trojans won 14-0. However, Windthorst could take some positives away from moving the ball well (531 yards) against a bigger school.

Pennartz shook off the early fumble, rushing for 179 yards and two touchdowns. Nathan Bales hauled in seven passes for 130 yards, too.

“I’m pleased with the second half, but we don’t need to dig that hole so deep next time,” Tackett said. “I thought we were in position to make plays, but we didn’t make a play when we could have.”

Windthorst faces another difficult 5-3A opponent next week in Jacksboro before its schedule lightens up a bit. The Trojans will be better for playing this game, even though it resulted in a loss.

And teams better be aware of Henrietta’s No. 3 darting around the backfield before it’s too late.

Henrietta's Zack West hurdles Windthorst's Corben Reynolds in the season opener Friday, Sept. 1, 2017, in Windthorst.

Henrietta

14

14

14

0

42

Windthorst

6

6

6

14

32

FIRST QUARTER

H – Zack West 1 run (Weston Dowell kick), 8:37

H – Mason Marchman 26 run (Dowell kick), 2:05

W – Hunter Wolf 2 run (run failed), 0:25

SECOND QUARTER

H – Marchman 18 pass from West (Dowell kick), 9:00

H – West 35 run (Dowell kick), 2:49

W – Koy Pennartz 10 run (pass failed), 0:45

THIRD QUARTER

H – Seth Sanderson 95 interception return (Dowell kick), 8:27

W – Awtry Blagg 15 pass from Wolf (pass failed), 4:51

H – Mason Marchman 30 run (Dowell kick), 2:56

FOURTH QUARTER

W – Wolf 4 run (pass failed), 9:15

W – Pennartz 23 run (Blagg pass from Wolf), 1:44

 

Henrietta

Windthorst

First downs

20

28

Rushes-Yards

42-316

34-231

Passing

100

300

Comp-Att-Int

10-16-0

27-37-3

Punts

3-30.3

4-11.8

Fumbles-Lost

4-1

1-1

Penalties-Yards

6-34

5-40

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING — (H) Zack West 17-155; Mason Marchman 16-125; Brody Offield 6-36; Corbin Cody 2-2; team 1-(-2); (W) Koy Pennartz 23-179; Hunter Wolf 11-52.

PASSING — (H) West 9-15-0, 89 yards; Marchman 1-1-0, 11; (W) Hunter Wolf 27-37-3, 300.

RECEIVING — (H) Marchman 4-45; Offield 2-30; Cody Daniel 3-23; Jayson Nixon 1-2; (W) Nathan Bales 7-130; Pennartz 5-49; Awtry Blagg 5-34; Rafael Llamas 3-26; Corben Reynolds 2-24; Colton Bates 2-20; Cash McIlroy 2-9; Maclain Bowen 1-8.

RECORDS — Henrietta 1-0; Windthorst 0-1.