Ryan Kern of MHS (32) finds an opening in Thomas Worthington’s defense. Kern rushed for 125 yards during the Monarchs’ 31-0 victory. (Journal-Tribune photo by Chad Williamson)
An abusive defense, paired with a hammering ground game, will get you a long way on the gridiron.
For Marysville, the perfect pairing has the local squad out to a 3-1 record.
Thomas Worthington put up little resistance Friday night, falling 31-0.
Marysville’s defensive front dismantled the visiting Cardinals, holding them to 106 total yards of offense.
“Our defense played lights out once again,” said MHS coach Brent Johnson.
The Monarchs eclipsed 400 yards of rushing for the second consecutive game.
The MHS ground game wore down the Cardinal defense, attacking with a variety of backs and chewing up the clock, without breaking a run for more than 25 yards.
Ryan Kern was the clear standout on the night, scoring three touchdowns and picking up 125 yards on 15 tough runs between the tackles.
However, four other Monarchs also chipped in with at least 50 yards, including Griffin Johnson, who gained 95 on 15 totes.
“I like our balance (in the backfield) a lot right now,” the coach said. “Our kids are being really good teammates right now.”
The balance in the backfield, however, does not carry over to passing game, where the Monarchs continue to struggle.
After not completing a pass last week, MHS QB Ethan Musel completed just one Friday for two yards.
More troubling to the MHS coach was his squad being tagged for 11 penalties for 96 yards. A majority of the infractions were for offensive holding, including three on one drive alone in the first half.
“That’s a feet thing,” Johnson said. “When you’re holding, your feet are slow.”
Despite that assessment, the Monarch offensive line controlled the point of attack all night, as the stat sheet clearly shows.
The Monarchs rolled up 19 first downs, including several on a grinding, 70-yard drive in the second quarter.
That series erased nearly nine minutes off the clock and resulted in a 37-yard field goal by Logan Hall.
“We consumed the clock tonight,” Johnson said.
The Monarchs scored on their opening drive of the night and were never challenged from there.
Kern opened the scoring with an 18-yard TD and then powered in from 15 yards out on the second drive as the Monarchs built a 14-0 lead.
The second march covered 71 yards of actual real estate, but eclipsed 100 if the three holding calls were added.
Taking the ball just nine seconds in, the Monarchs trudged from their own 12 to the Cardinal 19.
Another holding call derailed the drive and forced the Hall field goal for a 17-0 lead.
Worthington’s only offensive highlight came on the next possession, but also fell victim to a holding penalty.
Cardinal back Anthony Brewu took a swing pass, broke a tackle and rumbled up the left sidelines 67 yards to the end zone.
That score was nullified by a flash of yellow on the field.
Marysville’s defense, led by linebacker Gabe Powers and tackle Zach McMinn, continued to pressure the Cardinal offensive front into the third quarter.
Thomas Worthington, which likes to run the ball about 70 percent of the time, could only muster 48 yards on the ground in the game.
At the same time, Worthington’s defense played MHS to a scoreless third quarter.
MHS, though, was knocking on the door at the four-yard line as the game entered the final period.
On the first play of the last quarter, Kern powered in for his third touchdown.
Hall’s PAT put Marysville up 24-0.
Marysville fumbled the ball away at the two-yard line on its next drive.
The Cardinals, though, returned the favor on the very next play.
A few snaps later, Jeremiah McNeal went into the end zone from a yard out.
Hall’s PAT closed out the scoring at 31-0 with 5:38 left in the game.
That triggered the running clock mercy rule.
As Monarch reserves made their way into the game, the Cardinals pushed down to the MHS six with less than a minute to play.
Worthington, though, fumbled the ball away on a fourth down attempt.
The Monarchs will travel to Olentangy Berlin on Friday.