2010 SCHEDULE LOADED WITH EXCITEMENT

The Mavericks provided plenty of excitement in 2009 by putting together another banner season that saw them advance to the 4A region II semifinals.

With the 2010 season quickly approaching, Marshall's schedule has perhaps even more excitement and intrigue in store for their fans this Fall.

Longtime rivals such as Longview, John Tyler, and Nacogdoches dot the schedule, but also newer rivals like Kilgore, Hallsville, and Monroe Neville are setting the stage for another fantastic ride.

Marshall will open the season in grand fashion August 27th with the 100th game between their oldest and most fierce rivals. The Longview Lobos are coming off of a 4A Division I runner up finish in 2009. After back to back 4A title appearances in 08 and 09, the Lobos have returned to class 5A.  But the rivalry will live on for the 100th time.

The second game will pit Marshall against 5A Shreveport Huntington from Louisiana. Marshall is 7-1 against the Raiders since the series began in 2000. All eight games since the series started has been played in the friendly confines of Maverick Stadium.

The Mavericks have another stiff test when they make the near three hour trek to Monroe, Louisiana, on September 17th to face another powerhouse football program. The Neville Tigers are the defending 4A State Champions of 2009, going (14-1) last season. Neville is one of the winningnest programs in Louisiana and should be another tough test for Marshall as they prepare for the rigors of 14-4A play.

District play will then kick off on September 24th when the Mavs host Kilgore. The Bulldogs and Mavs have built a fierce rivalry since 2002, playing some of the best games of the decade against one another. 2010 should be no exception.

On October 1st the Marshall will once again visit the historic Tomato Bowl. Marshall and Jacksonville will renew their rivalry as district foes. They competed in the same district from 2004-08 before being split up. J-ville won a heartbreaking OT thriller over the Mavs last season. Marshall will be looking to exact some revenge in one of the tough places to play in the state.

Hallsville will come to town on October 8th in a battle of Harrison County. While the Mavs have dominated the series since it started in 2000, this has become one of the biggest rivalries in the area. Marshall is (9-1) against the Bobcats, but many of the games have been barnburner classics. The Mavs will be looking to continue their winning ways against their cross-county rival.

Many Maverick fans will have October 15th circled on their calendars. While Marshall and Nacogdoches have more than 50 years together as district rivals, this will mark a renewal of the rival that has been on hiatis since the 2007 season. But all that history pales in comparison to the excitement that this game could ensue. Nacogdoches hired a former Marshall Maverick to be their head coach in Scott Ford. Ford has since added Dennis Parker to his staff. Parker coached Marshall from 1984-1990, including the Maverick's 5A Division I state championship in 1990. Mav fans may remember Ford's play on the field and Parker's leadership on the sidelines, but it will mean little on this night when they face off against a Mav program they each had a hand in building into an annual power.

While Longview and Marshall may share more than 100 years of football together, Marshall and John Tyler share more than 90 years of history as rivals, dating back to the 1910's. However, this will mark the first time they have faced each other since 2001, Marshall's last season in class 5A. Now, eight years later, John Tyler joins the 4A ranks. The Lions are coming off of a 5A region II finals run from last season. JT will most likely be a favorite in class 4A in 2010.

The regular season will start winding down with a road game to an up-and-coming Whitehouse program, that has become an annual playoff program in the region. Whitehouse and Marshall were district rivals from 2004-2007, each going (2-2) in that span.

Marshall will close out the regular season with a home game against Pine Tree, whom Marshall has been paired with every season since being aligned into class 4A in 2002. The Mavs are (7-1) against the Pirates in that time.

The playoffs will then start.... and hopefully the Mavs will be poised to make another exciting post season run.

7 on 7 LEAGUE PLAY TO HELP MAV PASSING

The Mavs are once again participating in their annual summer passing league of 7 on 7 football. The league consists of Marshall, Carthage (2 time defending 3A state champions), Evangel (multiple defending champion from La.), Jefferson, and Elysian Fields. Waskom has also participated in the league at times. Games are rotated between Maverick Stadium, Bulldog Stadium, and Duron Stadium.

Marshall finished in second place at the ETBU 7 on 7 tourney. They lost in the championship game to 3A state powerhouse Gilmer. The Mavs participated in the Tyler tournament as well.

RED AND WHITE GAME CLOSED OUT SPRING

The Mavs closed out their spring season with the annual Red and White game at Maverick Stadium on Friday May 21st.

The game wrapped up spring drills as the Mavericks now enter the summer off season that will be filled with conditioning in the weight room for most and some 7 on 7 action for some others.

BIG RED PRIDE HAS NEW LEADER FOR 2010

The Marshall High School Big Red Pride Marching Band will have a new face on the podium this year with the retirement of director Kathy Cain.

While it's a new face, it's a familiar one for longtime band supporters. David Densmore was named the new director by MISD in May.

Densmore is an alumni of MHS, and former drum major for the Big Red Pride. He comes from Tatum High School, where he has been serving the Eagle Band.

Returning to it's roots, Marshall will make the transition back to the corps style after two years as a military style band.

Cain lead the MHS band in strong growth musically during her two years. Good Luck to Mr. Densmore as he continues to build the Mav band back to one of the top corps bands in the region.

A big thank you to the outgoing director for all her hard work and a best of luck to the new face we'll be seeing this fall!

BIG RED PRIDE!!!