Lamar edges Starkville 21-20 in nail-biter
For Southern Sports & Travel, By Daniel Balint
Friday night in Starkville was a wild game. The Raiders started off quick on the first drive forcing the Vols offense to a 3 and out. The punt however was botched and the Raiders took over at Starkville's own 10 yard line. It took all of one play for Lamar to break a 5 quarter scoreless drought. A speed option from QB Tyler Harris to now fully healthy J.C. McElroy was good for 10 yards and the first TD of the season. The P.A.T. from SR K Tyler Roberts was good, and with 11:23 to go in the 1st, Lamar took a 7-0 lead. Starkville rebounded quickly as QB Kyle Henson hit running back Ryan McKell on a play action slant that was good for 78 yards and a TD on only the 2nd play of the Vol drive. The P.A.T. by Will White was good and we are quickly tied at 7 a piece. A three and out by the Lamar offense was followed by a long 90 yard Starkville drive that went 13 plays and and took up the remaining time on the first quarter clock. The drive was capped off by a Kyle Henson run of 7 yards on the first play of the 2nd quarter to give the Vols the lead. The extra point by White was wide left and Starkville leads 13-7 with 11:54 to play in the 2nd quarter. Another 3 and out was the result of Lamar's next drive and the Starkville offense rewarded the defense with a 5 play drive that ended when RB James Mapp went 14 yards to pay-dirt with 7:26 to go in the first half. The Raider offense would respond on the ensuing drive after the kickoff went out of bounds. Tyler Harris and company set up shop at their own 35 and went 65 yards on 6 plays. The re-emergence of J.C. McEloy and Michael Marcello fueled the drive as McElroy had a 33 yards reception that set up the Raiders nicely.Marcello put the exclamation point on the drive with a bruising 14 yard run in which he broke a couple of tackles before finding the endzone. The point after by Roberts was good and the Vol lead was cut to 6 with 5:06 to play in the half, 20-13 Starkville. Lamar attempted an on sides kick on the kickoff but was denied after the ball took a wicked hop right into the hands of the waiting Vol player. The Vols had it set up nicely at their own 37 but managed only to gain 8 yards on the drive and were forced 3 and out. Lamar took over at their own 25. Lamar drove the ball all the way into Vol territory to the 26. The Raiders timeout cupboard was empty and after a QB sack, the half came to an end. Halftime score, Starkville 20 Lamar 13.
The Raiders got the ball to open the 2nd half. Gane Duggan returned the kick into Starkville territory to the Vol 39. From that point, Michael Marcello took the game over. Marcello carried the rock 10 yards on the first play of the 2nd half and really set the tone for the Lamar offense. Marcello finished the 7 play, 39 yard drive with a 5 yard touchdown run behind the blocks of Logan Knight and Drew Mueller. Roberts point after was true and the Raiders led 21-20 with 8:44 to play in the 3rd. Another failed on sides kick by the Raiders gave Starkville the ball at their own 49 but the drive stalled after 6 plays. Lamar was forced to punt on its next possession after a penalty riddled drive. The Vols were forced to a 3 and out on their next possession but had a chance after Lamar's offense drove 77 yards but came up empty as a fumble gave the ball back to the Vols at their own 12 yard line. The Vols had their best drive of the 2nd half when Starkville went 10 plays and 51 yards into Lamar territory but was stopped on a 4th down and 1. The Raider defense stepped up big on the drive as LB's Michael Marecello and Will Dungan combined on the 4th down stop. The Raider offense rewarded the defense by chewing up clock but punting after 5 plays. An unsportsmanlike conduct penalty was called on Starkville on the punt and it pinned the Vols back at their own 6. The Vols failed to get anything going on the drive as a 4th and 6 with 2:35 to play was thwarted when star defensive end for Lamar Will Fulton got his 2nd sack of the season. The Raiders took over at Starkvilles own 9 yard line but knelt on the ball and ran out the clock. Lamar improves to 1-1 on the season and Starkville falls to 0-2, losing their 16th straight ball game.
The Raiders got the ball to open the 2nd half. Gane Duggan returned the kick into Starkville territory to the Vol 39. From that point, Michael Marcello took the game over. Marcello carried the rock 10 yards on the first play of the 2nd half and really set the tone for the Lamar offense. Marcello finished the 7 play, 39 yard drive with a 5 yard touchdown run behind the blocks of Logan Knight and Drew Mueller. Roberts point after was true and the Raiders led 21-20 with 8:44 to play in the 3rd. Another failed on sides kick by the Raiders gave Starkville the ball at their own 49 but the drive stalled after 6 plays. Lamar was forced to punt on its next possession after a penalty riddled drive. The Vols were forced to a 3 and out on their next possession but had a chance after Lamar's offense drove 77 yards but came up empty as a fumble gave the ball back to the Vols at their own 12 yard line. The Vols had their best drive of the 2nd half when Starkville went 10 plays and 51 yards into Lamar territory but was stopped on a 4th down and 1. The Raider defense stepped up big on the drive as LB's Michael Marecello and Will Dungan combined on the 4th down stop. The Raider offense rewarded the defense by chewing up clock but punting after 5 plays. An unsportsmanlike conduct penalty was called on Starkville on the punt and it pinned the Vols back at their own 6. The Vols failed to get anything going on the drive as a 4th and 6 with 2:35 to play was thwarted when star defensive end for Lamar Will Fulton got his 2nd sack of the season. The Raiders took over at Starkvilles own 9 yard line but knelt on the ball and ran out the clock. Lamar improves to 1-1 on the season and Starkville falls to 0-2, losing their 16th straight ball game.
