The Hornets beat Washburn in the Turnpike Tussle Saturday at home, 26-20. The Hornets running game proved to be too much for the Ichabod’s Defense.
“It was a great win for our seniors, especially with some strange things that happened early in the year,” said Garin Higgins, head coach.
The Hornets scored on their opening drive on a two yard touchdown pass from Braxton Marstall, redshirt junior quarterback, to Justin Brown, junior wide receiver. The drive went 75 yards on just five plays for the score.
The teams slowed down the game with a couple of three and outs before Washburn took the lead with a 12-yard touchdown run from quarterback Blake Peterson. The teams were tied at the end of the first quarter.
Washburn then took the lead with a field goal to go up 7-10 in the second quarter. With the Hornets going three and out on their next possession they pinned Washburn deep in their own territory with a 48 yard punt to the 10 yard line.
Washburn fumbled in the end zone, allowing ESU to record a safety and pull within one point at 10-9. The next ESU drive was 65 yards and resulted in a touchdown pass from Marstall to Jordan Reed, junior wide receiver, to take the lead 16-10.
With 55 seconds left in the second quarter ESU’s Landon Nault, junior running back, scored a nine yard touchdown on the ground which increased the lead to 23-10.
The ensuing kickoff was returned 63 yards by Washburn to the Emporia 33 yard line. Three plays later Washburn closed the gap going into halftime at 23-17 with a 13 yard touchdown run.
The first drive in the second half was a field goal for ESU by Austin Morton, senior kicker, that took ESU’s lead to 26-17. This would be the only score of the third quarter.
“We came in at the half and the coaches did a good job of giving us the adjustments we needed to make for the second half,” said Gabe Cleveland, senior left back.
A strong defensive hold forced Washburn to kick a 24 yard field goal to pull within six points at 26-20 with 2:26 remaining in the game.
26-20 would be the final score as Nault finished the game with 138 yards rushing a touchdown.
Marstall finished with 109 yards passing, two touchdowns, and two interceptions. Brown had four receptions for 87 yards and a touchdown.
On the defensive side, Tre’Vaughn Ammons, sophomore defensive end, led the Hornets with 10 tackles, two for a loss, two sacks, two forced fumbles, and an interception.
“Tre had an unbelievable day, not very often you see a defensive player impact the game the way he did,” Cleveland said. “He is a good player but the best is yet to come for him and the younger guys. ESU football has a bright future.”
ESU finished 6-5 and for the third straight year, and this is the first time that ESU has had three consecutive winning season since joining Division II.
Statistical information provided by esuhornets.com.
