Marshall Breaks Records, but Not Paraclete Spirit

Jermaine Marshall broke one state record and another regional record on Friday night, but it wasn’t enough to change the one mark he and his Kilpatrick teammates wanted the most.

Paraclete High defeated the Mustangs, 36-20, in an Alpha League showdown at Antelope Valley College that left Kilpatrick again frustrated and winless in five games against their nemesis.

“It feels good to get the records,” said the senior tailback, who broke the state regular-season rushing record by gaining 191 yards in 27 carries to give him 2,577. He also scored three touchdowns to give him 44, three more than the previous region record.

“But I’d rather get the win,” he added.

Paraclete (6-3, 3-0 in league play) has a 5-0 record against Kilpatrick (6-3, 3-1) and clinched its second consecutive Alpha League title.

Paraclete, which defeated Kilpatrick, 25-14, last season in the Southern Section Division XII final, used three second-half touchdowns passes by Rob Fockaert, 174 yards rushing in 21 carries from sophomore Curtis Brown and an inspired defensive effort by linebacker Robert Watts.

Fockaert turned a 6-0 game at halftime into a shootout, connecting for touchdowns to Michael Washington from 25 yards, Brian Whisler from 11 yards and Mike Drivdahl from five yards.

Brown added a five-yard scoring run, and Christian Navarro scored from six yards.

“I can’t believe we scored 36 points against that team,” Coach Steve Hagerty of Paraclete said.

Led by Watts, a 6-foot-4, 220-pound senior, the Spirits limited Marshall to a season-low yardage total.

“It was a great challenge,” said Watts, who seemed to be in on just about every tackle. “He’s the best I’ve ever tackled or had the privilege to play against.”

Marshall scored on runs of five and three yards late in the third quarter to cut the margin to 14-12, and added a 22-yard touchdown reception from Domonic Snelson in the fourth quarter.

He broke the region’s season record of 41 touchdowns previously held by Ted Iacenda of Hart and Wilbert Smith of Montclair Prep.

His 36-yard run in the fourth quarter allowed him to surpass the state regular-season rushing record of 2,549 yards set by Ramod Lee of Moreno Valley View.

Paraclete allowed 300 yards to a Kilpatrick offense that was averaging 481 yards and 46 points.

“The defense played a whale of a game,” Hagerty said.

Kilpatrick controlled the first half, but trailed, 6-0. The Mustangs ran 33 plays, rushing for 146 yards, but never got closer than the Paraclete 14-yard line.