MARSHALL — Robert E. Lee sophomore quarterback Zach Hall rushed for a 49-yard touchdown and threw a 70-yard TD in an impressive varsity debut Friday at Maverick Stadium.
The Red Raiders dominated in the controlled portion of the scrimmage, winning 31-7 over Marshall. In the live action quarter, however, Marshall forced two fumbles and benefited from a poor punt to win 7-0. The Mavericks had the ball on the goal line, looking to double their lead when the clock ran out.
Lee coach Darrell Piske, in his second year, said his team looked strong in the first part of the scrimmage, but the second part just gives the coaching staff things to work on in preparation for next Friday’s season opener at Sulphur Springs.
“Really, honestly, it was good we looked (bad) in that running quarter because I thought we looked real good early on and we aren’t that good yet,” Piske said. “We need to stay humble and keep working.”
Senior Raleigh Poster and junior Trevor Carr also saw time at quarterback, with Poster leading REL on a drive that culminated in a 35-yard field goal by Chris Blas and also connecting with Averi Clewis for a 45-yard TD pass. Carr did not get in the end zone, but churned up yardage in REL’s zone-read scheme while leading the Red Raiders to a score courtesy of a 23-yard run by Marquian Jones.
“Zach really stepped up and looked good,” Piske said. “We know he can run it like the wind, but if he gets consistent on his throwing and stays humble and keeps working, he can be really, really good.”
Piske said Poster showed the strong throwing arm and decision-making they expected, and Carr moved the offense as well.
“We’ve got three good ones to choose from, but I thought Zach separated himself a little bit tonight.”
The Red Raiders took the ball first and Hall went 11 yards on a keeper for his first varsity snap. Then on second-and-10 from the Marshall 49, Hall faked to Marquiston Williams on a jet sweep, but instead kept it himself and raced up the middle and away from the secondary for a touchdown.
The score was 17-0 when Marshall got on the board thanks to a 25-yard scoring pass from Tanner Arst to Ja’Quavian Dabbs.
Carr then got under center and took Lee down the field before Jones capped it with his scoring run.
Hall provided one more highlight play for the Lee fans that made the drive, hooking up with Diondre Allen for a 70-yard TD.
The Red Raiders now start working on Sulphur Springs with kickoff scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Friday at Gerald Prim Stadium.