photo by: Kerry Patrick

John Marshall’s Landen Snyder (4) picks off a pass in end zone to end the first half of the Monarchs’ game Friday against Warren Local, a 30-27 John Marshall victory.

VINCENT — A punch in the gut.

A pair of impressive gamebreakers by Warren were offset by John Marshall staying with the gameplan and keeping the Warriors offense off the field for a majority of the second half during Friday’s 30-27 win at Warren High School.

“To say the least it was a punch in the gut,” Warren coach Jason Gandee said after his ballclub slipped to 1-6. “We had opportunities to win the game and we didn’t do enough.”

Warren’s touchdowns included an 85-yard TD run by Eric Carr late in the first half to put the Warriors in front 7-0. On the very first play from scrimmage in the second half, Warren’s Davin Dickel returned a pick-six 50 yards to give Warren a 21-14 lead.

John Marshall’s second offensive series of the third quarter epitomized the frustration by the Warren faithful. Consecutive holding calls early in the drive left the Monarchs facing first-and-30 from its own 16.

A 27-yard completion from quarterback Kayden Knapp to Cain Martin chewed off a large chunk and the Monarchs eventually scored on the second of three TD receptions from Martin from 26 yards.

JM coach Mark Cisar said there was no question about going for two points on the conversion. Knapp, who threw for 283 yards on the night, found Martin and left Warren trailing 22-21 with 9:19 remaining in regulation.

“Our defense ended up on the field for most of the third quarter – John Marshall did a good job converting,” Gandee said. “They made some tough plays and we struggled to get off the field in the third and fourth quarter.”

“We couldn’t make the play to change possession enough, and it cost us.”

JM’s eight-minute scoring drive consisted of 20 plays. In the third quarter alone, JM was whistled for 50 yards in penalties. For the game, the two teams combined for 212 yards.

“When it was first-and-30, I told the kids all we have to do is get some yardage for a manageable third down,” Cisar said. “And we did. We went for two because the game was going back and forth and I knew it was going to come down to that.

“Warren was a heck of a team. They didn’t lay down, they played. They had us, but our kids fought back.”

The fourth quarter was all about trading scores. Warren stuck to the ground game between Tanner Pepper and Nehemiah Reeder with Reeder finding the end zone from eight yards at the 6:44 mark. The two-point try failed.

Trailing 27-22, JM’s trademark passing game went to work – moving 70 yards in seven plays. Knapp hooked up with Martin sprinting down the sidelines for a 26-yard TD reception. The Monarchs converted another two-point conversion to go in front 30-27.

The Monarchs’ three-head monster at wide receiver included Martin with 98 yards on nine catches, Xavier Wells 133 yards on five receptions and Landen Snyder finishing with 58 yards on eight catches.

“Between our quarterback and receivers, they are very resilient,” Cisar said. “I mean, gosh, those guys don’t come off the field. They are playing both ways.

“Routes were excellent. Last week (in a loss at Parkersburg South), we stunk.”

Warren’s last hope began at its own 20 with four minutes left in regulation. The Warriors picked up substantial yardage when quarterback Declan Johnson completed a 29-yard pass to Dickel, who timed his leap for the jump ball perfectly against double coverage.

On second-and-10 at the JM 38 and under two minutes left on the clock, Johnson made another deep throw only to be intercepted by Snyder, who nearly went the length of the field before getting tackled at the Warren 12.

JM went into victory formation for two straight kneel downs to run out the clock.

Coach Gandee didn’t dismiss trying to set up a field goal, but opted for the big-hitter.

“I had confidence in (our placekicker) Jaxson Venham – we were looking to score a touchdown,” Gandee said. “You put the game in the hands of a field goal kicker in high school and that’s a lot to ask.”

Carr led Warren in rushing with 105 yards despite getting his number called just once in the second half due to a tweaked hamstring. Reeder added 57 yards on the ground – all coming in the second half, while Pepper ran for 46 yards and caught three balls for 64 yards.

Warren hosts Point Pleasant for the start of the Twin State League next Friday.

“My kids aren’t going to quit,” Gandee said. “That’s a 3-1 team we took to the wire. A lot of people would say we should have won that game, myself included.

“I think we are going to be a tough out for the teams that are left. ”

Entering this week, JM was ranked No. 18 in Class AAA. Next week is a matchup at this week’s No. 8 Keyser.

“That’s a big matchup, big points,” Cisar said. “We want to get into the playoffs and that’s a game we got to win.”