Marceline Scores 22 Straight, Stops Highland on Final Play for Third Consecutive District Title

Marceline outlasted Highland 36-30 in the district championship at Marceline Friday.

Eric Duick with the final call on KRES and centralmoinfo.com. Highland stopped Marceline on fourth and one from the Cougar 35 yard line with 2:10 left and no timeouts. The Cougars then advanced to the Tigers’ seven and spiked it with one second left before Drew Mallett’s incomplete pass.

Marceline marched to a 14-0 lead on a Caleb Stallo 34-yard touchdown and Conner Quinn interception for touchdown. Highland countered with 22 unanswered, but Marceline responded amid a series of Cougar miscues in the third quarter.

The Tigers also recovered an onside kick and a pooch kick. Head coach Mark Ross reacted to the bizarre sequence.

Wyatt Molloy later added a 24-yard touchdown reception for a 36-22 advantage. The 2020 KRES All-Star battled injuries all season, but rebounded to produce three touchdowns in 10 minutes. Highland cut its deficit to 36-30 with five minutes left. Ross analyzed the defensive stand that clinched Marceline’s third straight district championship.

10-1 Marceline hosts Fayette in the state quarterfinals next Saturday. Fayette defeated Sweet Springs 46-6. Marceline topped Fayette 37-0 in week four.

8-4 Highland’s district championship loss concludes the winningest season in Cougar history. Head coach Dave Degarmo reflected on the historic campaign.