The King/Drew Golden Eagles secured their second win of the season when they defeated Marquez 27-21 in overtime.
The Eagles reached the scoreboard first when senior quarterback Keenan Jackson sent a 25-yard touchdown pass to sophomore Damico Martin early in the second quarter. The King/Drew defense followed up the score by making two interceptions, keeping the score at 7-0 going into halftime.
King/Drew football team defeats Marquez 27-21 in overtime pic.twitter.com/Uy8HSxMnTG
— Amanda Scurlock (@Amandtastic) September 21, 2024
“Our goal was to come in here, play physical and stop them from scoring,” King/Drew senior Chinedu Onyeagoro said. “They came out physical, we had to match that physicality.”
Jackson connected with Martin for a 25-yard play and scored a 25-yard touchdown pass in the next down early in the third.
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“I think it’s great, I like our receiving core,” said sophomore Damico Martin. “My quarterback, I just love him … we just like to work together.”
The Gladiators rallied back on the ground with senior running back Joshua Ayala. On a fourth and goal from three yards out, he scored the first Marquez touchdown of the night.
“I was following my gap leaders and I was right behind them,” Ayala said. “I read the play and I seen the guy inside so I bounced it outside.”
On their next possession, King/Drew endured a penalty and a sack, but Martin found a way to make a touchdown rush. With 2:01 left in the third quarter, the Eagles were ahead 21-7 over the Gladiators.
In the final quarter, Marquez rallied with Ayala making a 20-yard touchdown run. A missed extra point pegged the Gladiators at 13. The Gladiators gained possession on their punt and scored again four plays later. A successful two-point conversion tied the game at 21 with 7:38 left in regulation.
King/Drew had a chance to score with seconds left in the clock, sophomore Jayden Mitchell made rushes deep into Marquez territory. A scramble by Jackson gave King/Drew a first-and-goal but they had to settle for a field goal attempt on a fourth down.
Marquez blocked the kick, sending the game into overtime. The Marquez offense took the field first but the King/Drew defense thwarted their runs.
The Eagles took possession and Martin caught a 28-yard touchdown pass on a fourth-and-13.
“I was hoping that I was able to get the pass off which I was, thanks to the [offensive] line,” Jackson said. “From there, we got the dub.”
Both teams now have a 2-2 overall record and will be back in action on September 26. King/Drew will host Narbonne at 7:00P.M. and Marquez will travel to battle Crenshaw at 7:30P.M.
