The Historic Tomato Bowl is a legend in Texas High School football and it may have hosted what was one of its most memorable games in its near 100 year history.
Marshall overcame a 12-point deficit in the first quarter to shock Midlothian Heritage with a second half surge that propelled them to the 5A Division II Region Semifinals.
The cougars opened the game with an impressive 71 yard drive that gave them a quick 7-0 lead with 6:53 left in the first half.
Marshall's first offensive possession was less impressive as they went 3 and out. The punt snap sailed over the kicker's head and out of the end zone for a safety.
The Mavs had only run three offensive plays and they were already down 9-0.
Midlothian took the free kick and had a chance to bury the Mavs in the first quarter. The Cougars drove down to the Marshall 13 yard line before stalling out. They settled for a 28 yard field goal and a 12-0 lead with 1:16 left in the first quarter.
The Mav offense appeared to get on track in the second quarter when they drove inside the Heritage 20 yard line.
The Cougar defense stiffened and a failed fourth down by Marshall kept them off the scoreboard.
Midlothian Heritage would take a 12-0 lead into the locker room at the intermission.
The third quarter opened and Marshall drove into the Cougar red zone for the second time on the night....but for the second time they came away empty-handed after another failed fourth down at the 8 yard line.
The Mavs finally got their first break in the game when Marshall defender DJ Goudeau snatched a 15 yard pick six to cut the Midlothian lead to 12-7.
The Marshall defense would be stellar the rest of the night.
Heritage was forced to punt on their next possession and Marshall would have their first opportunity to take the lead.
The Mavs were driving near midfield when an untimely fumble gave the Cougars the ball. Another Heritage score could ice the game for Midlothian.
However...the Mav defense collected a pair of quarterback sacks and forced the Cougars to punt again.
An errant snap on the punt allowed Marshall to block the kick and gave the Mavs the ball at the Midlothian 38 yard line.
Another chance for Marshall to take the lead.
After three and a half quarters of ineffectiveness, the Mav offense finally found pay-dirt and took their first lead of the game 14-12 with 6:39 left in the game.
The Cougars, down by only 2 points with just over 5 mins left in the game inexplicably went for it on 4th and 10 at their own 25 yard line instead of punting the ball away.
Marshall's defense held again and gave the ball back to the offense with a chance to ice the game with a score.
The Mav offense seized the moment and marched the 26 yards for the score and a 21-12 lead with 1:13 left in the game.
Midlothian drove deep into Mav territory before an interception in the end zone by Dameon Smith ended the threat.
Marshall went into victory formation and clinched their first Area Championship since 2018.
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