Playing a winless opponent on its home field is always a concern to a coach, no matter what stage of the season the meeting takes place.

So Mexico High School football coach Devin Brown is understandably wary about taking on NCMC rival Marshall tonight in the second of 3 consecutive road games for his varsity squad.
“This is the second straight team we’ve played on their homecoming,” the MHS head coach said today. “We’ve got to be able to control them the opening quarter, weather their emotional storm and play mistake-free, solid football.”

The Owls (0-4/0-1) have the distinction of sporting the fewest points for and the most points against so far in the NCMC with numbers of 41 and 170, respectively. Mexico’s totals are much more balanced with 69 scored and 73 allowed.

The only foe the two teams have in common is new NCMC member Boonville. The 2-2/1-2 Bulldogs defeated the Pirates 15-12 at home 2 weeks ago; the host Pirates manhandled the Owls by a 33-13 margin last weekend. Marshall stayed close early, but 4 Boonville touchdowns in a row turned the game into a rout.

By contrast, Mexico gave undefeated and state-ranked Moberly a close contest before the Spartans pulled away with 2 TDs in the fourth quarter for a 28-7 victory.

The Bulldogs go into the contest with a couple of key injuries to deal with. Kurt Loyd’s ankle is bothering him, the MHS coach said, and Ta’Juan Williams has a sore hand. Their availability will be decided at game time, according to Brown.