GLEN DALE — John Marshall’s diversified attack overcame the passing panache of the Bellaire Big Reds as the unbeaten Monarchs racked up a 34-26 victory Friday night before a full house in Moundsville.

John Marshall rolled up 173 rushing yards and a like number of yards passing to capture its third straight verdict, marking the first time the school has started 3-0 since the 1996 state championship squad.

Bellaire slipped to 2-2 despite getting a remarkable, 419-yard passing effort from junior QB Michael Dippel. Dippel went 22-for-41 with just one theft. His top receiver, junior Raekwon Pettigrew, was absolutely dazzling, catching 11 balls for 277 yards and three scores.

Pettigrew, who was carted off the field with an injury late in the bout, is a crash-and-dash phenom who’s at his best after the catch. John Marshall Coach Mark Cisar knew that his secondary — which had yielded just 75 aerial yards in two games previously — was going to be tested, and the Big Reds did not disappoint. “Pettigrew is shifty and extremely hard to tackle,” Cisar said.

Bellaire’s rushing attack, on the other hand, netted just 22 yards total.

John Marshall sophomore sensation Dalton Cooper was the Monarch’s top threat again, rushing 28 times for 154 yards and a score. Cooper is equally at home probing the interior of the line as he is turning the corner on the perimeter. Bellaire stacked the box to corral Cooper, and John Marshall turned to QB Kayden Knapp, who, for the second straight game, rose to the occasion. Knapp finished 10-for-18 for 173 yards and no turnovers.

The bout was highlighted by several defensive standouts, including Scott Balsei, Kayse Rejonis and Quentin Scott of Bellaire; and Cain Martin, Landon Snyder, Clay McCord and Hayden Fordyce for John Marshall.

The Monarchs will try to stay unbeaten next week when they travel to face Parkersburg South (0-3). Bellaire will try and stop their two-game slide next week when they host Cambridge (0-4).