Scots scoop Marysville

With 12 starters out, Marysville High headed into Friday's game against Highlands at War Memorial Stadium with a new look.

Backups and fresh faces, wearing unfamiliar numbers, hungry for playing time trotted out on to the gridiron. And, after an already valiant performance throughout the game, with 1:26 remaining, the scoreboard reading 20-20 and one potential final drive to put the game away — their time to shine had finally arrived.

Unfortunately, for the Indians' faithful, it fell short.

Fumble, scoop, touchdown — Highlands wins 26-20.

The dejected Indians were unable to muster a response with the 55 seconds remaining on the clock.

The Indians (3-6) came out with three simple plays on offense, and it worked like a charm.

Follow A.J. Paul. The standout guard opened up room for Jacob Thome, who took the sweep, off tackle run, Craig Anderson ran the half-back dive and senior quarterback Chant Deforest ran the keeper — the Scots had no answer for it.

At least, at first.

After forcing the Scots to go three-and-out, on their first possession of the game, the Indians drove the ball 67 yards down the field, capping it off with a DeForest dancing his way into the end zone.

Highlands (5-4), however, benefited from a decent return and an Indians horse collar penalty, which left the Scots on Marysville's 30.

Two plays later, Highlands took a 7-6 lead when Robert Garvin rumbled his way into the end zone.

Garvin was a handful all night for Marysville.

He finished with a combined 112 yards rushing and receiving and three touchdowns. He also hauled in one of two of DeForest's interceptions.

Marysville's ensuing possession ended on a poor note when a high snap sailed deep into the red zone, setting up the Scots' next score — a Kris Denham pass to Garvin from 12 yards out.

Both teams battled through the second quarter, and the Indians' defense began to take the spotlight as Taddy Coleman landed some brutal hits, Karndeep Johl broke up a pair of passes and Roger Simonson recovered a fumble. DeForest and Thome also recorded tackles for losses.

Simonson's fumble recovery set up a seven-play, touchdown drive, ending in an 8-yard Thome burst. A successful 2-point conversion gave Marysville a 14-3 half-time lead.

Highlands came out on its opening drive in the third quarter and scored on a Denham to Garvin pass play from 24 yards out, once again giving the Scots the lead.

The Indians responded with another 67-yard march down the field, made up of 11 run plays. DeForest punched it in from 1 yard out.

Six consecutive three-and-outs followed, before Highlands' took the eventual game-winning score.

Thome led all rushers with 98 yards on 16 carries and the touchdown.