JM razor sharp as it ends regular season with dominating win

BLOOMINGTON — John Marshall came up with its best performance of the season Wednesday night and the result was a resounding 53-21 win over Bloomington Jefferson in Northstar District football.

"We got off the bus ready to play," said JM coach Kyle Riggott, whose team ended its regular season 6-2. "We hit the ground running offensively, defensively and on special teams. Our guys showed real dominance and were really physical. I was impressed. We were on a mission from the start of the game."

JM got a big outing from receiver/return man Markes Simpson. The senior had two catches, both of them for touchdowns. He caught a 35-yard TD pass from quarterback Savy Vath and a 39-yarder from him. He also had a 75-yard kick return for a touchdown. All of that came in JM's 26-point second quarter.

Vath finished 7-for-13 passing for 125 yards and two touchdowns.

"Markes made some really impressive plays," Riggott said. "He did that both as a receiver and a returner. He is a dynamic guy with the ball in his hands. He had a good night of responding after not quite being up to par last week. He was hungry all week."

Running back Ty'Shawn Beane also had a strong outing. He finished with 80 yards rushing on 10 carries and scored three touchdowns.

Riggott was also thrilled with his team's defense. The Rockets held Bloomington Jefferson to just nine points through three quarters.

JM led 40-3 at halftime.

The Rockets are now off until Oct. 26, when they will host Northfield in the second round of the Section 1, Class 5A playoffs.

John Marshall 53, Bloomington Jefferson 21

John Marshall 14-26-7-6 - 53

Bloomington Jefferson 0-3-6-12 - 21

First quarter

JM — Tyshawn Beane 17 run (Ben Rieder kick)

JM — Savy Vath 22 run (Rieder kick)

Second Quarter

JM — Markes Simpson 35 pass from Vath (Rieder kick)