John Marshall’s Cody Hartman, left, attempts to tackle a Bridgeport, W.Va. runner during last week’s game. Photo by Stephen Santilli

MOUNDSVILLE — Coming off a two-game road swing that included a victory over Weir and a loss to Bridgeport, WV, John Marshall looks to get back on track Friday night when coach Mark Cisar’s squad welcomes Buckhannon-Upshur to Monarch Stadium for the first of three straight home contests that could help shape the 2022 campaign.

John Marshall dropped to 1-2 last Friday night with a 49-21 loss to the powerful, state-ranked, Indians while the Bucs improved to 2-1 with a last-second 26-22 win over Philip Barbour that same night.

“Bridgeport is one of the best football teams in the state and their rushing attack is unbelievable,” Cisar admitted. “We were in the game in the first half, we just couldn’t get any stops on defense, but we were able to do some good things on offense.

“We just need to put some big plays together. The other problem was that we were not able to force any turnovers at all. Our passing also needs to get better. Our rushing attack has gotten going, but we still need to be able to sustain drives and put points on the board early.”

Senior quarterback Jacob Coffield caused Bridgeport some problems offensively with 100 yards rushing and a pair of touchdowns on 19 carries while also completing five of 13 passes for 113 yards and a score. Sophomore Klypsan Wallace also remains a threat and finished with 52 yards on seven tries a week ago. Senior Ashton Collett hauled in four passes for 82 yards and a touchdown.

The Monarchs biggest obstacle against the Indians was stopping the run where they allowed a whopping 529 yards on the ground and all seven touchdowns.

“Last week was a tough night against a great team, but we battled and played very well the first two weeks of the season and playing teams like Bridgeport is only going to help us get better in the long run. I hope the kids believe that, because the coaching staff knows it to be a fact. It is always a good thing when you can get into a playoff-type battle just three weeks into the season.”

Second-year head coach Zach Davis watched his Buckhannon-Upshur team battle back and score the game-winning touchdown with 36 seconds remaining a week ago. The Bucs, who love to run the ball, have a nice back in senior Savion Farmer and are led by senior quarterback Ian Donnen.

“They are 2-1 and have been playing some pretty decent football,” Cisar added. “They had a barn-burner last week and are doing good things. The biggest thing they are doing is forcing turnovers and have caused eight fumbles in their last two games, both of which they won.

“Their line is enormous, and they normally go out of a three-back set. Farmer is a great running back, they are able to move the football and they will come into this game with an awful lot of confidence.”

The two teams have played the last three years with the Monarchs winning all three by a combined 135-28 margin, including a 33-14 triumph last year.