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MRH Takes Too-Close Win at Potosi

Subs and "lackadaisical" play let the Trojans keep the game close in the first half.

POTOSI — football turned its .500 season into a winning season, on the first road game of the year in Potosi.

The Blue Devils (2-1) finally beat the Trojans 28-14, after being tied at six at the half. The conference win gives MRH a 2-1 record overall, but the slow start and sub-par defense had coach Brandon Gregory fuming at the end.

“We came out lackadaisical, taking guys for granted, taking forever to get going,” Gregory said. “Instead of coming out playing our game, we let people think that they have a chance, and these are the results we’re going to get.”

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To add to the Devils’ problems, some MRH starters sat out the first one or two quarters because of bad grades the week before.

“We had a lot of subs, a lot of freshmen playing the first and second quarter, because I had to punish some guys just so they can stay on top of their grades,” Gregory said. Once they get in, then they have to get the chemistry going because they had to sit, he added.

MRH lost the ball on a fumble and an interception in their first two possessions, then finally held Potosi on the Blue Devils own 20-yard line after a 67-yard drive. The Devils took the ball and scored on a Kahlid Hagens to Karon Thomas 50-yard pass play to go up 6-0 in the second quarter.

MRH lost the ball twice each on interceptions and fumbles in the game, which was key for Potosi.

“We knew we had to get a couple turnovers,” Potosi coach Mark Casey said. “We knew we had to control the ball and I feel like in the first half we did a really good job of that.”

After a quick Potosi possession, the Devils took the ball into the end zone three times, only to be called back each time. MRH assistant coach Al Buckley said it was the result of the first away game.

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“When they get down Highway 55, they’re calling everything,” he said. “They’ve got to play clean.”

After holding MRH on downs, Potosi then took the ball 73 yards in eight plays to score in the last seconds of the half, tying the game at six.

MRH received the kickoff to start the second half and scored in six plays. Freshman entered the game and ran 23 yards in his first carry. A 23-yard pass play to sophomore Cortland Brooks gave the Devils a 12-6 lead, as the two-point conversion was good but called back.

Potosi scored once more in the game, as MRH held the Trojans on downs on their remaining five possessions.

MRH scored twice more, on a 50-yard run by Keely and finally on a 31-yard Hagens to Brooks pass play.

Hagens was 16-24 through the air for 246 yards, including three touchdowns and two interceptions. Brooks lead the receivers with five receptions for 83 yards and two touchdowns.

Keely ended the night with 83 yards on seven carries.

“(Keely) was one of the ones that had to sit out early, at the same time, he’s the only one that stepped it up,” Gregory said.

 “I got a lot of guys that can step up and all they need to do is do it, and that would make it a whole lot better. I need my to step up, I need my receivers to step up, my running backs and my line.”

MRH is on the road again next Friday night. The Blue Devils travel to St. Genevieve (2-1) for a 7 p.m. kickoff on Friday.

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