Marauders Rally Late in the Fourth Quarter for Thrilling 41-38 Season-Opening Win
Marcus defeated Northwest 41-38. Fri · Aug 28, 2026
Marcus Marauders football · 2026 season.
The Marcus Marauders kicked off the 2026 season with a thrilling 41-38 come-from-behind victory over the Northwest Texans at Marauder Stadium. Trailing 38-35 late in the fourth quarter, Marcus orchestrated a clutch, game-winning drive in regulation to seal the win and start the year with a 1-0 record.
The offense was powered by a phenomenal performance from running back Andrew Emmert, who proved to be a relentless force on the ground. Emmert found the end zone four times over the course of the night. He sparked the offense early with a 13-yard touchdown burst up the middle, and later capitalized on a handoff from quarterback Cash Davis for a tough 2-yard score. Emmert continued to gash the Texans' defense in the second half, adding a 7-yard outside touchdown run before punching in the go-ahead 2-yard score that ultimately decided the game.
On the defensive side of the ball, the Marauders came up with pivotal takeaways to swing momentum. Linebacker Gavin Lewis pounced on a loose ball for a crucial fumble recovery, while defensive back Ryan Mabry halted a Northwest deep shot by coming down with a spectacular interception. The defensive front applied steady pressure as well, highlighted by a massive 6-yard sack from lineman Landon Wintermute. Late in the contest, the Marauders' defense held firm under heavy blitz pressure to force a crucial incompletion in the end zone, securing the season-opening victory.
Marcus will look to carry the momentum of this dramatic win on the road next week. The Marauders travel to face Martin on Friday night for their first away test of the season.
Top plays
- In Game — Andrew Emmert rushes 13 yards up the middle for a touchdown.
- In Game — Northwest scores on a 35-yard play-action touchdown pass down the middle to Elijah Hawkins.
- In Game — Cash Davis hands off to Drew Emmert for a 2-yard touchdown run.
- In Game — Carosella takes the handoff on 4th and 2, breaks a tackle, and scores a 9-yard touchdown.
- Q3 — Mark Hartman fakes the handoff and runs 2 yards into the end zone for a Northwest touchdown.
- Q3 — Andrew Emmert takes the handoff and runs down the field into the end zone, but the touchdown is called back due to a penalty.
- Q3 — Andrew Emmert runs 7 yards to the outside for a touchdown.
- Q3 — Northwest quarterback throws a touchdown pass to the running back in the corner of the end zone.
- Q3 — Under heavy pressure from a blitz, the quarterback throws an incomplete pass into the end zone broken up by the defense.
- Q3 — Andrew Emmert rushes up the middle for a 2-yard touchdown.