By Tom Reck
Marshall, Ill. — Marshall’s football team has begun practice for the second Illinois semfinal game in school history.
The 11-1 Lions meet 10-2 Maroa Forsyth at 1:30 p.m. Saturday at Bush Field with the winner advancing to the Class 2A championship game next week at the University of Illinois.
Gibson City (11-1) is at Morristown (12-0) in the other 2A semifinal contest.
Marshall’s other appearance in a Final Four game was in 1979. Dick Parker was the coach and Brad Mars, current assistant, was an all-state lineman on the team.
Marshall defeated Casey 14-13 in overtime last week to gain the semifinals. That was Marshall’s third Elite Eight appearance, the others being in 1987 and 2007.
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• Hoops sked changed — Because of the success of the football team, Marshall has withdrawn from the Capital Classic to be played next week at Red Hill and Lawrenceville schools.
The Lions have competed in the event several years and was the winner last year.
Several members of the football team are expected to be regulars on the basketball team. “It was a pleasant problem to have,” said basketball coach Tom Brannan.
Marshall had been seeded third in the event with Teutopolis first and Robinson second. Dieterich will replace Marshall in the tournament field.
Marshall already had moved the date of its season opener with Robinson — usually the Tuesday before the Classic — to a later date.
The Lions now will commence play Dec. 4 against Lawrenceville at Marshall.
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• Two sidelined — Marshall will be without two lineman in Saturday’s game.
Dalton McNeely was injured in the regular-season game with Lawrenceville and it had been hoped the sophomore might be back for the playoffs.
Coach Todd Evers said the healing process has not gone as well as hoped and that he will not be able to play.
Senior Conor Littleton was hurt on the second play of the game with Casey, incurring a broken leg.
“That was a devastating injury. He has done such a great job,” said the coach.
Littleton had been voted to the Little Illini all-conference team at tight end.
Dustin Morey had played some tight end in the past and moved into the slot last week with Jordan Grooms moving into his place and making three receptions in the game.
