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MOUNDSVILLE — John Marshall junior flash Dalton Cooper blazed his way to 233 total yards and three touchdowns — all in the first half — as the Monarchs mauled visiting Weir 42-7 Friday before a fine turnout at Monarch Stadium.
John Marshall is now 2-0 on the young campaign, while Weir will take an 0-2 mark to next week’s game at Indian Creek.
A six-foot, 220-pound running back, Cooper broke three long touchdown runs, two coming off carries from scrimmage of 41 and 86 yards, along with a scintillating, 80-yard scamper off a screen pass from QB Landon Cook. Cook, also a junior, was playing in place of senior QB Jacob Cisar, whose concussion from the Marietta game dictated a week off.
“Landon Cook stepped in and did a great job for us,” said John Marshall head coach Mark Cisar. “He stepped in and controlled the offense. He made one mistake on a throw, but that’s gonna happen. I thought he did an outstanding job.”
The Monarchs’ first drive ventured well upfield before Cook’s pass was picked off in the end zone by Weir’s Landon Haught. The Monarchs would then score touchdowns on their next six possessions, led by Cooper, Cook, and Landon Snyder, who caught two touchdowns as JM led 35-0 at the half.
Cook would finish the game 8-for-12 for 194 yards in the aerial game, with the one pickoff. It was the only turnover by either team. Snyder caught five passes for 75 yards.
But make no mistake, Dalton Cooper provided the rocket sauce that fueled John Marshall’s offense. Cooper is the strongest guy on the field — he squats over 600 pounds — and easily the fastest.
“He made some runs that were just unbelievable,” said Coach Cisar. “Once he gets in the open field, there’s a good chance he’s gonna go. He’s got something special. It’s fun to watch. It’s fun to be a coach, having a guy like that. Just an unbelievable game by him.”
Freshman Travis Kotson spelled Cooper in the second half and excelled as well, grinding out 87 yards and a score on 10 totes. Cooper finished with seven carries for 153 yards on the ground.
John Marshall’s defense was staunch, limiting Weir to 61 total yards until their last-gasp TD drive. Red Rider freshman Gavin McAllister carried the mail on that one, with seven rushes for 58 yards. The drive was aided by two 30-yard JM penalties. David Archie, Ryant Lyons and Zackary Howland played well for Weir, as well.
Middle linebacker Robbie Sforza was a playmaker all over the field for the Monarch defense, who also received excellent outings from Reid Hamrick, Brody Thomas, Snyder and Braden Storm.
The Monarchs visit winless Bellaire next week.