The Central Falcons (2-2, 1-1) defeated the Marbury Bulldogs (3-2, 1-2) by a score of 27-12 to even their Class 5A Region 3 record this Friday evening.

The Falcons utilized a strong running game to pound the Bulldogs into submission and ultimately claim the win. Led by their senior running back, Markelious Furr, the Falcons rushed for 235 yards and four touchdowns on the evening.

Furr shouldered the load, rushing for 190 yards on 38 carries and punching into the endzone four times to score all of the Central touchdowns. He was aided by senior running back Arnsey Richardson who chipped in for 45 yards on 11 carries.

The Bulldogs were able to keep the first half competitive thanks to penalties and turnovers by the Central team. Central committed 10 penalties and three turnovers in the first half to allow Marbury to keep the scoreboard close.

Marbury running back Ethan Gomez capitalized on a Central fumble for the Bulldogs’ first score, cornerback Cody Whitford cashed in a 50-yard pick-six to push Marbury ahead 12-7 with 7:37 left in the first half. Whitford ended the game with two interceptions on the night.

"We made a lot of mistakes in the first half, had some turnovers, gave them some extra possessions and extended some drives but we just told them to keep playing and to keep pushing and fighting through. The theme for this week was to control the controlables. It's all about how you respond to situations. I thought at halftime they responded well to some things that we did not do particularly well in the first half," said Central coach Rodney Bivens.

Furr found the endzone on a 45-yard touchdown scamper late in the first half to put the Falcons up for good. He added two more scores in the second half on runs of 30 and one yard to extend the lead and ice the game for the Falcons.

"They outplayed us tonight, we stayed behind the chains, we made some youthful mistakes and things like that, we just got to grow from. Not taking anything from them, they outplayed us tonight," said Marbury coach Allen Brothers.

Central quarterback Peyton Batchelor was 7-for-11 for 84 yards with two interceptions. The Falcons were led defensively by senior Taquell Giles with a fumble recovery, freshman Jarell Hodges with an interception, junior Stevenson Hodges had a sack and a pass deflection and senior Edward Smith had a sack.

The Bulldogs were led on offense by running back Ethan Gomez. He ran for 53 yards and the aforementioned touchdown. Quarterback Jack Thompson was 8-for-21 for 49 yards with the interception.

Next week Central will host the Bryant Stampede in a crosstown matchup.

The Marbury Bulldogs will hit the road to take on Holtville next Friday.

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