Marietta falls to Zanesville

In a perfect world, Zanesville head coach Chad Grandstaff would get the immediate help his team needs to vault the Blue Devils into the thick of the OHSAA Division II Region 7 playoff picture.

And Marietta head coach Andy Schob would get the time the Tigers need to regain their health and well-being.

Zanesville capitalized on four Marietta turnovers, including a 90-yard return of a fumble by Clarence Norris late in the fourth quarter, in posting a 53-0 rout of Marietta at Don Drumm Stadium Friday evening.

Adding to the dour atmosphere on a cold and clammy homecoming night, sophomore quarterback Matt McKitrick was forced to the sideline with a variety of health issues.

"He has either a deep bone bruise or a possible break of his left wrist, his non-throwing wrist," Schob said following his team's seventh straight loss, updating the status of McKitrick. "He's also has some sore ribs and a partial concussion."

McKitrick came off the field with 3:09 remaining in the third period, cradling his left forearm. "Matt's a gamer," Schob said. "He's going to hide (his injuried) as long as he can."

Zanesville (7-1 overall, 2-1 in SEOAL) came into Friday's game ranked 12th in Region 7 with two home games remaining with Gallia Academy and Jackson.

The Blue Devils wasted little time in testing out the circuitry on the Don Drumm scoreboard. On the second play from scrimmage, senior running back Kyle Gladden took the pitch from quarterback Cole Hudson and raced around right end for a 59-yard gain, setting up the first of his three touchdowns on a 9-yard scamper as he cut it up inside.

Thus, in merely 50 seconds, Zanesville was on its way.

The Tigers' generosity began to bite them moments later as Braily Blair intercepted McKitrick, setting up a 28-yard touchdown run by Gladden on another sweep.

Marietta's self-destructive ways continued Perry Wheeler lost the handle on the ball with the Blue Devils recovering the fumble close to midfield. Gladden's speed on the outside revealed itself in gains of 11, 18 and 9 yards and a third score at the 7:39 mark of the second period.

Hudson showcased his arm before halftime, connecting with senior wide receiver Michael Lynn on TD strikes covering 5 and 59 yards. The long connection on a deep aerial on the right sideline was initially called back by an illegal procedure call, but the penalty was later waived off.

Zanesville added to its lead in the second half with Richard Gibson, Ian McFarland and Clarence Norris each scoring a touchdown. The closing beat by Norris was the most striking as Marietta was making its deepest penetration into Blue Devil territory when MHS freshman running back Michael Stewart coughed up the ball after making a short gain. Norris scooped the ball off the turf and raced 90 yards the other way. For Marietta, Wheeler set a new career record for rushing attempts, surpassing the previous standard set by J.C. Stafford (357). Wheeler finished with 60 yards on 18 carries and still needs one rushing TD to equal Dick Wendelken's career touchdown record of 33 achieved between 1957-59.

Marietta will be back at home next Friday against Portsmouth before hosting Gallia Academy in the regular-season finale.

Story from The Marietta Times 10-17-2009.