1st QTR: The Redmen started the game off offensively in Friday night’s match-up. However they weren’t able to get things going right off the bat. Marquette went three-and-out to start the game, and punted the ball back to the Titans.
Traverse City West was able to find their groove early on however. Quarterback Brandon Koncheck was able to connect with Carson Douglass for a big chunk of yardage. They revisited that combination once more for an additional 25 yard reception to bring them deep into Marquette territory. Michael Schermerhorn was able to punch it in after a couple attempts from four yards out. The two-point conversion was good and the Titans took the lead, 8-0.
Marquette Punt TeamMarquette would go three-and-out once again, and punted the ball back to the Titans. Traverse City West wouldn’t be able to do to much better on their second series of the game. On fourth down they had lined up to punt the ball away but opted to a fake punt attempt. The Titans would not convert and Marquette would get the ball via turnover on downs. The very next play Redmen quarterback, Austin Ridl, would find Owen Beauchamp for a 20 yard touchdown reception. Two-point conversion was successful, and the score would remain the same for the last few minutes of the quarter, 8-8.
2nd QTR: The Marquette offense would have the field at the start of the quarter. After moving the chains and making their way into Titan territory they would face a fourth down. Ryland Kohler would run on the field to attempt a 31 yard field goal, but couldn’t split the uprights.
The Titan offense would take the field in Redmen territory, but fumble their first snap only to be recovered by Redmen defender, Alex Schlemm. Marquette would capitalize and score from the turnover. An eight yard pitch and catch from Ridl to Eberhard would bring Marquette the lead, 14-8.
TC-West would show signs of life with a 23 yard reception by Schermerhorn, but a penalty would bring up a third-and-long for the Titans. Alex Applekamp would make a big defensive stop for the Redmen to bring up a fourth down. The Titans would press their luck but wouldn’t convert the fourth down.
TC-West OffenseAfter another series ending in a punt, TC-West would once again start another offensive series. Schermerhorn would do most of the leg work, bringing the Titans into the redzone. Quarterback Brandon Koncheck would link up with Aiden Lewandowski for an 18 yard touchdown reception. With a successful PAT TC-West would regain the lead by a single point, 15-14.
Marquette’s offense would start to balance things out and keep the defense guessing. Balancing their air attack with runs from Desmond Mullen and Dustin Lohfink. The Redmen would find themselves on the opposing 15 yard line when Ridl threw it up for Justin Jurmu to take back the lead. The two-point conversion was good bringing the score to, 20-15. TC-West would try to score before the half, but Koncheck would get sacked by Wyatt Kuhlman to end the second quarter.
Halftime: Marquette 20, TC-West 15
3rd QTR: The Titans received the ball to start the second half. TC-West ate up over half of the quarter in their opening drive. However they wouldn’t be able to punch in the score. Instead they turned the ball over on downs just outside the redzone on a 4th and 12. Marquette wouldn’t prove much better by producing another three-and-out to punt the ball back.
The two teams would go back and forth with their defenses making big stops. William Gaston of TC-West would intercept the pass of Austin Ridl, but Alex Applekamp would step up once again for Marquette’s defense to keep the Titans out of the endzone.
Band4th QTR: Marquette would have the ball to start the final 12 minutes of play. Third year starter, Austin Ridl, would find Eberhard for a quick 18 yard pick up. He would follow that up by throwing downfield for Owen Beauchamp and pick up a 40 yard touchdown reception. The two-point conversion was good and Marquette started to pull away, 28-15.
Michael Schermerhorn and the rest of the TC-West offense would be kept out of the endzone for the rest of the quarter. The Redmen defense proving to be too disruptive and stout in the final stretch of the game would be the huge contributor in coming away with the win.
FINAL: Marquette 25, TC-West 15
Player of the Game: Austin Ridl (MQT) 18/29/239 , 4TD, 1INT
The Marquette Redmen are back on 103.3 WFXD next Friday for the final regular season game. They’ll be on the road and headed to Petoskey. The Elder Agency Pre-Game starts at 6:20 with the kickoff to follow at 7pm on 103.3 WFXD!
