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Defense powers Warren to 28-6 win over Marietta in season-opener

Photo by Jordan Holland Warren’s Peyten Kellar (12) attempts to wrap up Marietta’s Braden Talbott (20) during a high school football game Friday night in Vincent. Warren won, 28-6.

VINCENT — Warren put together a strong defensive performance and capitalized on Marietta High’s mistakes to come away with a season-opening 28-6 victory Friday night.

The Warriors, known for their dynamic passing attack, threw for just 71 yards but grinded for 170 yards on the ground and held the Tigers’ offense in check outside of a couple big plays.

Right out of the gate, Warren forced Marietta’s offense into a three-and-out, and a bad snap by the Tigers gave the hosts the ball inside the 10. Taylor Bowers scored the first touchdown of the season for Warren, a 1-yard power run up the middle followed by Joel Chevalier’s kick to make it 7-0 at the 9:17 mark in the first quarter.

With time winding down in the opening quarter, Evan Gandee took a carry 54 yards to Marietta’s 2-yard line. On the first play of the second period, Brayden Gerber punched it in for a TD to make it 14-0 at the 11:56 mark.

Marietta finally showed some life on the ensuing kickoff, which Tony Munos took 80-plus yards for a touchdown. However, an illegal block in the back was called on the play and pinned Marietta back at its own 14.

Photo by Jordan Holland Marietta's Zach Bartlett (23) rushes Warren quarterback Kurt Taylor.

Tyson Shaffer caught a 28-yard pass from Reece Gerber to give the Tigers some momentum. On a third-and-6 play, Warren’s defense appeared to get off the field on an incomplete pass but was called for pass interference. The very next play, Reece Gerber connected again with Shaffer for a 52-yard scoring strike at 9:31 of the second. Marietta’s two-point try failed to make it 14-6, which was the score at halftime.

Late in the second quarter, Warren drove to Marietta’s 16-yard line before Munos intercepted Kurt Taylor in the end zone on a tipped ball. With 30 seconds left, Marietta attempted a screen pass, but the ball slipped out of Reece Gerber’s hands and was picked off by Josh Welch at the 25. Warren sent Chevalier out for a 42-yard field goal attempt, but it was wide left.

Marietta’s defense forced a three-and-out to open the second half. The Tiger offense drove to Warren’s 41-yard line on a 29-yard reception by Munos, but two straight bad snaps forced a third-and-15. After an incomplete pass, Marietta had another bad snap on a punt attempt, giving the Warriors the ball at the Tiger 22.

Once again, Marietta came up with a red zone stop as Taylor’s pass was picked off by John Bricker at the 2, but Warren’s defense forced a three-and-out and a solid punt return by Gandee set Warren up at Marietta’s 15. Taylor scored on an 11-yard run to make it 21-6 at the 4:34 mark in the third quarter.

Fumbled snaps ruined Marietta’s next possession, and Warren took advantage of another short field, scoring on Taylor’s 1-yard run with 47 seconds to go in the third to make it 28-6.

On Marietta’s ensuing drive, Zach Bartlett caught a pair of 10-yard passes and had a 10-yard run, then Kayden Durham caught a 21-yard pass to put the Tigers at Warren’s 21-yard line. However, two fumbled shotgun snaps gave Marietta a fourth-and-20, which resulted in an interception by Warren’s Peyten Kellar.

From there, Brayden Gerber began running the ball with authority and all but drained the clock. With 2:30 to go in the game, Warren had the ball in the red zone, but weather forced the officials to call the game.

Warren defeated Marietta for the first time since a 19-8 win in 2016.

“The community buys into this rivalry a lot,” said Warren head coach Matt Kimes. “The past three years Marietta put up 50-plus points on us in each game. We knew we needed to play really well on defense. The coaches put a good plan together and the kids executed.

Offensively, “it was hard to throw the football,” said Kimes, who watched Taylor complete 10 of 21 passes for 71 yards. “We found a way to keep fighting and fighting. We told the kids it’s not who throws the hardest punch, but who throws the last punch.”

Gandee was Warren’s leading receiver, catching six balls for 57 yards. He also carried twice for 58 yards. Gerber finished with 74 yards on 17 carries to lead all ball-carriers.

“That’s what we’ve talked about as an offensive staff,” Kimes said. “When we need to run the ball, we’ve got to be able to run the ball. I couldn’t be prouder of Brayden’s effort tonight. It proves teams can’t just focus on our passing game.”

The key, though, was Warren’s defense, which limited Marietta to 189 total yards.

Only 23 of those yards came on the ground as Warren completely controlled the line of scrimmage.

“Jake Welch, our nose guard, was really hard to block all night,” Kimes praised. “He made running inside the tackles really difficult. And when we needed it, the D-line got after the passer.”

In his first start as a varsity quarterback, Reece Gerber completed 8 of 23 passes for 166 yards for the orange and black. Shaffer caught two passes for 80 yards while Munos added 41 yards on a pair of receptions. Marietta couldn’t get much going on the ground, as Bartlett led the way with 21 yards on 11 carries. Along with the miscues on snaps, the Tigers also were plagued by penalties as they were flagged 13 times for 81 yards.

“Just too many mental mistakes,” said Marietta head coach Jason Schob, “but I don’t want to take credit away from Warren. They’re a good ball club, and when you make that many mental mistakes against a good ball club, it’s tough to win a game.

“I thought defensively we played alright, considering the firepower Warren has. We need to get back to the drawing board and focus on discipline and effort.”

For Warren, Kimes is hoping this win is the first of many.

“Everyone that played contributed,” he said. “From special teams to the backup guys, everyone did their job. We talk about embracing your role on the football team, and everyone in a short amount of time has learned how to do that.”

Jordan Holland can be reached at jholland@mariettatimes.com.

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