Keeping with the trend, the Allen Eagles struck first and early, tonight with a 53-yard carry on the first play of the game by Kirby Bennett which helped set up a 19-yard touchdown pass from Seth Green to Kerry Hall to go up 7-0 with eight minutes left in the 1st quarter.

“Offensively we started off hot, that first drive,” offensive coordinator Kyle Westerberg said of that first play.

The Eagles would falter after this, with Green throwing his first of three interceptions as it bounced off the hands of wide receiver Lionell McConnell. The Marauders would complete a couple of first downs but were forced to punt.

Later in the first quarter Green avoided several sacks only to throw an ill-timed shovel pass right into the hands of a Marcus player, who would take it all the way back to put the game at 7-6 after a missed extra point.

Green was left in, and immediately ran for a 75-yard touchdown, to put the Allen in the lead once more this time 14-6.

After Marcus was forced to punt, Green would throw his third pick of the night, this time which set up a 44-yard touchdown pass from Marcus’ quarterback to their wide receiver. After completing a two-point conversion the game was tied back up.

“We made some not-so-good decisions with the football and it cost us, gave them some points,” Westerberg said.

Mitchell Jonke would replace Green in the second quarter, and after completing a shovel pass to Bennett that looked similar to one that Green was unsuccessful with a quarter earlier, Allen took the lead 21-14.

Bennett would rush for 49 of his 119 yards in the first half on one play, that set up a Jonke to Camden Harrison 39-yard touchdown pass to increase the lead to 28-14.

Marcus would score one more time before halftime to keep the game within one score, 28-21.

The Marauders started with the ball in the second half, and on 4th and 14, their quarterback would launch a completion, which set up another 17-yard touchdown pass and even the score once more.

Allen would get to the red zone, but would be held to a field goal after an unsuccessful Bennett run and two incomplete passes.

Eagle running back Trent Barrance had a three yard touchdown run, after an unsportsmanlike conduct flag was thrown on the Marcus bench to advance the ball to the three yard line.

This would give the Eagles a comfortable 10-point lead, and they would hang on to win 38-28.

“They’re a good football team, we knew coming in they were going to be tough,” Westerberg said.

Of the seemingly unending quarterback debate Westerberg is glad to have options.

“It’s always a good thing to have both of them,” he said. “If one of them is not doing well then the other one kind of steps into that spot. It’s nice to have to solid ones back there.”

Allen ended their 5 game homestand tonight, and will go on the road next week to take on district opponent Lewisville High School.