No. 2 Marist moved a step closer to a region championship Friday night behind 310 yards rushing in a 33-0 victory over Miller Grove at Hallford Stadium.
Marist (7-1 overall, 4-0 in Region 6-4A) scored touchdowns on the opening possessions of each half. Fullback Andrew Mannelly rushed for Fullback Andrew Mannelly led the team in rushing with 83 yards and two touchdowns. Quarterback Champ Davis added seven carries for 61 yards.
“The defense wasn’t taking the fullback, so we kept feeding Andrew Mannelly on offense,” Marist coach Alan Chadwick said. “He blocks well, and he has great power, vision, and footwork in the hole.”
Not only did Mannelly make his presence felt on offense, but he also contributed to the dominant defensive effort by adding a sack on a critical fourth down and multiple tackles for losses.
“He’s a tremendous football player,” Chadwick said. “He rushes the passer and chases down running backs. He does everything for us.”
The Marist defense was special Friday night, not surrendering a score and making life tough on the opposing team. Miller Grove’s Jayden Brown, DeKalb County’s leading rusher coming in with 1,215 yards, was held to 40 yards on 19 carries. Marist held Miller Grove to 5-of-15 passing and 124 total yards.
“Our defense came up big. Brown is a really dynamic player,” Chadwick said. “We knew we had to slow him down if we were going to have a chance to win, and they did an excellent job of doing that tonight.”
Marist began inserting reserves midway through the third quarter after an interception from Copper Felty with a 23-point lead.
Miller Grove (6-2, 3-2) couldn’t capitalize on big plays. A 54-yard strike from Chancellor Allen to Jayvonne Dillard early in the third quarter gave Miller Grove momentum but was squandered on a fourth-down sack and turnover on downs.
In the second quarter, Miller Grove forced a fumble on special teams but had to punt it just a few plays later.
Miller Grove quarterback Chancellor Allen had a tough time passing, only amassing 80 yards along with an interception.
Marist can clinch its second straight region title next week in a home game against Mays. Miller Grove’s next game is on the road at Hapeville Charter.
Marist 13-3-14-3 - 33
Miller Grove 0-0-0-0 - 0
M - Andrew Mannelly 1 run (kick failed)
M - Quinn Gooding 16 run (Jones kick)
M - Jones 45 FG
M - Jackson Hughes 2 run (Jones kick)
M - Luke Harpring pass 11 pass from Hayden Richardson (Jones kick)
M - Jones 37 FG
