The Kirksville Tiger defense kept the Marshall offense out of the end zone for the entire game as #3 seed KHS won their first round district game over 6th seed Marshall Friday 35-12 at Spainhower Field. The Tiger defense carried the game again as KHS forced five Marshall turnovers, and five turnovers on downs. Kirksville’s running game had a terrific night with Landon Yardley carrying the load. Yardley ran 53 times for 156 hard fought yards and two touchdowns to earn our Shelter Insurance Player Of The Game Award. The Tigers had 270 total rushing yards. The Tigers did, however, commit four turnovers, but, again, the defense kept the Owl’s offense from scoring. Marshall’s Xavier Reed started the game by returning the opening kickoff 75 yards for a touchdown. The Tiger defense kept Reed in check for the remainder of the game, only allowing 32 rushing yards by Marshall’s feature back. After Marshall’s early score and unsuccessful PAT made the score 6-0, Kirksville’s Jaden Ballinger came up with an interception, setting up the Tigers deep in Owl territory. Yardley capitalized with a 23 yard TD run with 8:21 to play in the first. Rilegh McLain’s kick made it 7-6 Tigers, and they would never trail again. After Marshall turned the ball over on downs, Kirksville’s Drew Chrisman found the end zone on a six yard run with 1:58 to play in the first. McLain’s kick made it 14-6. Marshall’s Zack Martinez returned an Isaac Danielson interception 20 yards for a score with :15 seconds left in the period. The failed two point try kept the score 14-12. On Kirksville’s next possession, Jaden Ballinger scored on a 67 yard catch and run as time ran out in the first quarter. McLain’s kick made it 21-12. After another Marshall turnover on downs, Yardley found the end zone again on a 5 yard run with 1:53 left in the half. McLain made it 28-12 headed into halftime. The Tigers salted the game away on a 52 yard TD run by Drew Chrisman with 6:47 to play in the game. McLain finished her perfect 5 for 5 night with another good kick and Tigers win it 35-12. KHS has won 7 of their last 8 to get to 7-3 on the year. The Tigers have now won three straight first round district games under the current format, the last two in a row at home. The Tigers head down to Jefferson City next Friday to take on the #2 seed Jays in the Class 4 District 5 semi-finals at Atkins Stadium. Jeff City got a first round bye. The Jays are 5-4 and winners of 5 of their last 6. Hear the Tigers on KIRX and the page at 6:40 Friday.