Running back Darius Chestnut leads Carvers Bay with 169 yards and two touchdowns in a 38-24 victory over Marion at Fox Field this past Friday.
The Bears running back gained steam in the second half as the first game of the season tested the endurance of the Foxes in the final two quarters.
Carvers Bay took a 12-0 advantage thanks to a fumble and interception on the Foxes' first two possessions of the game.
Tevin Richards scored first with a four-yard touchdown run, setting up a 6-0 score at the 3:26 mark.
Bears defensive back Tyrone Brown then took home a 42-yard interception for a touchdown at the 3:07 mark.
Foxes quarterback Ross White answered with a 22-yard touchdown pass to Brian Gilliard at the 2:02 mark in the quarter. White was effective in his debut as a starter going 9-for-14 and passing for 118 yards.
Lue Clemmons added another Foxes score with a 4-yard touchdown run a minute into the second quarter and the home team began to find a rhythm on offense.
Clemmons came up with another highlight when he recovered a fumble in the endzone after Gilliard broke for 23 yards before fumbling for the go ahead score 18-12 with 3:29 remaining in the second quarter.
Marion went on to take a 24-12 lead at halftime after a 56-yard touchdown run from Gilliard.
Gilliard finished with 108 yards rushing on just eight carries but was out of action in the second half due to injury. The Foxes were also without another playmaker at running back Justin Gause.
The Bears rebounded with a 47-yard touchdown run from Chestnut at the 7:56 mark in the third quarter, setting up a 24-18 score.
Donovan Williams added another score off a 35-yard reception, and Chestnut added the two-point conversion to take a 26-24 lead before the end of the third quarter.
As fatigue and cramping began to set in, Marion’s aggressive defense suffered critical setbacks.
The Bears continued the rally with a 28-yard fourth quarter touchdown run from Chestnut and a 70-yard interception return from Kareem Gamble.
Marion will host Manning on Sept. 4 in a huge event celebrating the coaching legacy of former football coach Bob Rankin. The Swamp Foxes encourage all former players and coaches along with football fans to come see the show.
Foxes assistant coach Leon Sturkey talks with the offense during a timeout.
The show must go on! The Marion Swamp Foxes opened the football season at Fox Field this past Friday versus Carvers Bay.
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