by Stephen M. Lewis
DigitalSports Richmond
slewis@digitalsports.com
A few weeks ago, when DigitalSports visited John Marshall’s preseason practice, coach Marvin Bridges said his defense and a strong running game would be JM’s strengths.
Well, he wasn’t lying.
The Justices racked up close to 200 yards rushing and held Armstrong scoreless until less than five minutes remained in the contest, holding on for a 13-6 victory Friday afternoon.
Jayem junior Frank Bullock racked up 128 yards on 27 carries, including the eventual game-winning touchdown with 58 seconds remaining in the third quarter.
“Frank Bullock did an excellent job running,” Bridges said. “We thought Kenny Collins was going to be the one today but Frank look like he had it going, so we just stayed with him.
“He was hitting the defender before they were hitting him.”
John Marshall (1-0) hit Armstrong (0-1) with the game’s first score on its second possession of the game. Arnold Harris hit Randall Braxton, the game’s defensive star, with an 11-yard strike.
Then JM went to its ground game. Four runs later, Collins scampered in from 13 yards out crossing the right side of the goal line. The extra-point attempt was blocked as JM led 6-0.
It stayed that way until halftime as both offenses made progress but faltered with a penalty or a turnover.
The Justices almost scored late in the first half as Quantae Cooley, a 6-2 defensive back, made a leaping interception and returned it about 50 yards before being tripped. JM couldn’t convert before the first-half buzzer.
But they did on their second second-half possession. Bullock, who fumbled to end a promising drive to start the final 16 minutes, ran for 41 yards on the drive, including his aforementioned TD to put JM up 13-0.
“I thanked the line for their blocking,” Bullock said. “They said they were going to get me a hundred, and they got me.”
Braxton got another catch, this time on defense, nabbing Armstrong backup QB Xavia Gary‘s offering and returning it to Armstrong’s 7-yard line. The 6-3 senior ran out of gas and ran into cramps once Armstrong corralled him.
“I just feel like I had to capitalize and key on their weaknesses,” said Braxton, who also had two sacks from his linebacker spot. “I could have scored but I cramped up. I have to eat before the game.”
Armstrong’s Dewayne Burnette had to have eaten before his effort Friday. His two catches were terrific.
One went for 18 yards on a pass under pressure from Gary. The other went for a 37-yard TD with just under five minutes to go in the contest as the Wildcats stayed alive.
“Everything that gets in his way he catches,” Armstrong coach Mark Robinson said of the JV callup. “I thought we had opportunities there. They did well but we knew we were weak in the [offensive] line. They took advantage of it.
“All credit goes to John Marshall.”
John Marshall 6 0 7 0 – 13
Armstrong 0 0 0 6 – 6
JM – Collins 13 run (kick blocked)
JM – Bullock 6 run (Chris Morrow kick)
A – Burnette 37 pass from Gary (kick failed)
John Marshall – Bullock 27 carries, 128 yards, Collins 10-48, Harris 2-(minus 15); Armstrong – Brian Pearson 4-28, Terrell Fowler 8-27, Greyson Gilbert 1-5, Gary 3-3, Vaughn Jones 1-1, Tyee Williams 1-0
John Marshall – Harris 3 completions, 7 attempts, 0 interceptions, 30 yards; Armstrong – Gary 5-14-2-78; Mark Robinson 1-3-0-43
John Marshall – Akeem Brown 2 receptions, 19 yards, Braxton 1-11; Armstrong – Burnette 2-55, Jones 2-50, DeAngelo Wilson 2-16
ROBINSON ON MEND: Armstrong starting QB Mark Robinson is out with a foot injury. He entered the game in the fourth quarter and found Vaughn Jones on a 43-yard bomb to set up the Wildcats’ TD.
Coach Robinson, also the father of the injured QB, said he’s been dealing with it for three weeks. Once he does heal, Gary will be able to join a talented receiving corps.
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