John Marshall Knows What To Expect Entering Meeting vs. Warriors
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MOUNDSVILLE -- The John Marshall Monarchs are at the midway point of their season, and have already found themselves in all kinds of games; a couple of blowout wins over Hedgesville and Weir, a close 27-24 victory over Parkersburg South last week, and a close 40-37 defeat to Bellaire earlier in the year.
When it comes to the Monarchs' opponent Friday, they've been in all kinds of games against each other the last three years too.
"They've been some outstanding games," head coach Mark Cisar said of the previous meetings between his 4-1 Monarchs and their upcoming opponent, the Warren Warriors (2-4).
"The first time, we beat them down there, we had to come from behind and beat them. When we played them here last time, two years ago, they beat us. Very good game. Then last year, we came from behind and beat them down there. So they’ve had us twice, and we came from behind and beat them."
Friday will be the seventh meeting between the two teams since 2017, and the fourth meeting for Cisar in his tenure at the helm of John Marshall football. In the previous three, the road team won each time, including 30-21 and 30-27 victories for the Monarchs in 2023 and 2025.
It's a trend that the Monarchs are certainly hoping to halt against their familiar foe.
"They know what we’re going to do, we know what they’re going to do," Cisar said. "They’re almost like us. They’re going to play extremely hard, they’re going to be physical. They know what we’re going to do and what we’re trying to do. And I think that we have a pretty good plan for what they’re trying to do also."
"It’s kind of similar kids, country kids a little bit, hard-nosed, tough kids. It’s going to be a good football game."
After John Marshall saw their starting running back Dalton Cooper and starting quarterback Jacob Cisar each miss a game at earlier points in the season, the Monarchs have been healthy as of late, and the two have turned their performances up a notch the last two weeks. Cisar threw for two touchdowns while Cooper ran for 165 yards and three scores vs. Hedgesville, and Cisar had two total touchdowns while Cooper ran for 206 yards and two touchdowns vs. Parkersburg South.
"He’s done very well," Coach Cisar began when talking about Cooper, a junior.
"The line has blocked well. I think we’ve improved on the line. Hopefully that will continue this week."
The final piece of John Marshall's core trio on offense is senior receiver Landen Snyder, who has led the Monarchs in receptions each game this year, and receiving yards in every game save week one vs. Marietta, where both he and Cooper went for 100+ yards through the air, though Cooper outearned him 117-111.
Snyder and Cisar have established a fine quarterback-wide receiver connection.
"Obviously there’s a very good connection there," Coach Cisar said. "Landen, it doesn’t matter who would be quarterback, Landen is very athletic. We have to get him the ball in space and allow him to do some things. He’s playing well on both sides of the ball. He’s physical when he gets the ball on the offensive side. He’s physical on the defensive side. I think he leads us in interceptions on the defensive side. Runs good routes. He’s a guy that needs to touch the ball seven to 10 times a game because he’s a playmaker and he can make some plays. He’s done a good job so far this year for us."
Snyder has 444 receiving yards and seven touchdowns in five games.
John Marshall's 4-1 record has put the Monarchs squarely in the WVSSAC Class AAA playoff picture, the latest Computer Ratings ranking JM as the eighth seed in the 16-team playoff field. Though there is still a long way to go, Cisar isn't mincing words about his expectations the rest of the season.
"We’re obviously talking about the playoffs," he said. "We haven’t been in the playoffs in a long time here. We have a chance to make the playoffs. We don’t care if it’s home or away. We just want to get in and have a chance to play in the playoffs."
John Marshall last qualified for the postseason in 2018, where the Monarchs were defeated by Musselman in the first round. Last year, JM finished 6-4 but were the first team outside of the playoff field.
"Every game is very important," Cisar said. "We take it game-by-game. We’re worried about this week. Take care of this week, then we’ll worry about next week. But next week ain’t here yet. Obviously, yes, these guys-- people say, 'Oh, I don’t even look at the'-- no, guys are looking at the playoffs and they know what we need to do. We need to win games. And it’s week-to-week. So, yes, this game is very important."
Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. at Monarch Stadium. The Monarchs are in the midst of a four-game homestand, ending next week against Frankfort. After facing the Falcons, John Marshall finishes their season with a three-game road trip.