Gregori runs past Livermore to win home opener, improve to 3-1

Jim Silva
·3 min read

After three consecutive road games to open the season, the Gregori High football team was happy to be home on Friday night.

Nobody appeared happier to be playing at Lanphear Stadium than Michael Marsden.

The senior running back rushed for 238 yards and scored three touchdowns — all in the second quarter — to lead the Jaguars to a commanding nonleague win over Livermore, 41-17.

The hard-running but diminutive Marsden took advantage of some big holes created by his offensive line to score on runs of 24, 18 and 69 yards as Gregori (3-1) opened a 20-10 lead and never looked back.

“You’ve got to give all the praise to my O-line,” said Marsden, who runs harder than his 5-foot-9, 160-pound frame might suggest. “The boys up front, they do all the work. Without them I wouldn’t be able to do anything.”

Gregori head coach Lamar Wallace emphasized the “team win” to his players in his postgame talk, and it truly was. The Jaguars dominated in all three phases.

“Getting home today, the guys were fired up,” Wallace said. “It was an emotional game for them.”

After Marsden carried the load for Gregori’s offense in the first half, the Jaguars got their passing offense going in the second.

Senior quarterback Conner Bailey connected with Trey Webb on a 39-yard touchdown pass to put the Jaguars up by 17 in the third quarter.

After Livermore (1-2) pulled within 10, Bailey hit Reggieon Foster on a 26-yard TD catch-and-run to put the game away.

Webb also scored on defense, scooping up a fumble and returning it 20 yards for the final touchdown.

Gregori’s defense faced a talented running back in the Cowboys’ Kamarri Robinson, but the junior never found much room to run.

Gregori’s Trey Webb, left, and Lucas Medrano (8) wrap up Livermore running back Kamarri Robinson behind the line of scrimmage during the nonleague game at Gregori High School in Modesto, Calif., Friday, September 8, 2023. Gregori won the game 41-17.
Gregori’s Trey Webb, left, and Lucas Medrano (8) wrap up Livermore running back Kamarri Robinson behind the line of scrimmage during the nonleague game at Gregori High School in Modesto, Calif., Friday, September 8, 2023. Gregori won the game 41-17.

Robinson finished with just 69 yards on 17 carries.

“We saw it on film, he likes the outside and he can’t do anything inside,” Gregori defensive lineman Ethan Lowell said. “So we got the edge covered and blow the middle up and he’s got nowhere to go.”

The Jaguars’ special teams had a rough start, failing to grab the opening kickoff and giving the ball right to Livermore. But after that, Gregori was solid. The Jaguars blocked a 24-yard field goal attempt at the end of the second quarter that could’ve pulled Livermore to within 20-13.

Gregori play at home again next week, this time to take on Tokay (3-1) at Lanphear Field.

The Jaguars will then have a bye week before opening Central California Athletic League play at home against Turlock on Sept. 28, a Thursday night game.

After a 3-1 start to the season and with the CCAL schedule quickly approaching, Wallace sounded cautiously confident about his team.

“I learned that we are a resilient group,” Wallace said. “They’ve got fight in them; we’re never out of it.

“They’ve dealt with adversity in games, still kept fighting. We’re getting better. We not turning the ball over as much, starting to protect the football better and we’re executing the gameplan. Those are huge steps.”

Before the game, a ceremony was held to honor the memory of Richard Baroda, a former Gregori junior varsity coach and an Army veteran who passed away last year.

Jaxx Baroda, Richard’s son, plays defensive back for the Jaguars and intercepted a Livermore pass in the second half.

Gregori’s Marcus Sims tangles with Livermore defender Xavier Thorpepass and attempts to block a pass during the nonleague game at Gregori High School in Modesto, Calif., Friday, September 8, 2023. Gregori won the game 41-17.
Gregori’s Marcus Sims tangles with Livermore defender Xavier Thorpepass and attempts to block a pass during the nonleague game at Gregori High School in Modesto, Calif., Friday, September 8, 2023. Gregori won the game 41-17.
Gregori’s Michael Marsden breaks through the Livermore defense on a touchdown run at Gregori High School in Modesto, Calif., Friday, September 8, 2023. Gregori won the game 41-17.
Gregori’s Michael Marsden breaks through the Livermore defense on a touchdown run at Gregori High School in Modesto, Calif., Friday, September 8, 2023. Gregori won the game 41-17.
Gregori’s Michael Marsden and teammate Kaeden Chanthamany celebrate a touchdown during the nonleague game with Livermore at Gregori High School in Modesto, Calif., Friday, September 8, 2023. Gregori won the game 41-17.
Gregori’s Michael Marsden and teammate Kaeden Chanthamany celebrate a touchdown during the nonleague game with Livermore at Gregori High School in Modesto, Calif., Friday, September 8, 2023. Gregori won the game 41-17.
Gregori’s coach Lamar Wallace talks with quarterback Conner Bailey during the nonleague game with Livermore at Gregori High School in Modesto, Calif., Friday, September 8, 2023.
Gregori’s coach Lamar Wallace talks with quarterback Conner Bailey during the nonleague game with Livermore at Gregori High School in Modesto, Calif., Friday, September 8, 2023.
Gregori’s Landon Gutierrez makes a catch near the sideline as Livermore’s Tommy Pierson defends during the nonleague game at Gregori High School in Modesto, Calif., Friday, September 8, 2023.
Gregori’s Landon Gutierrez makes a catch near the sideline as Livermore’s Tommy Pierson defends during the nonleague game at Gregori High School in Modesto, Calif., Friday, September 8, 2023.
Gregori’s Jace Guzman attempts an extra point after a touchdown during the nonleague game at Gregori High School in Modesto, Calif., Friday, September 8, 2023.
Gregori’s Jace Guzman attempts an extra point after a touchdown during the nonleague game at Gregori High School in Modesto, Calif., Friday, September 8, 2023.
Gregori’s Michael Marsden outruns the Livermore defense for a touchdown at Gregori High School in Modesto, Calif., Friday, September 8, 2023. Gregori won the game 41-17.
Gregori’s Michael Marsden outruns the Livermore defense for a touchdown at Gregori High School in Modesto, Calif., Friday, September 8, 2023. Gregori won the game 41-17.
Gregori students cheer a Michael Marsden touchdown run at Gregori High School in Modesto, Calif., Friday, September 8, 2023. Gregori won the game 41-17.
Gregori students cheer a Michael Marsden touchdown run at Gregori High School in Modesto, Calif., Friday, September 8, 2023. Gregori won the game 41-17.
Gregori’s Alton Williams, right, blocks a Livermore field goal attempt during the game at Gregori High School in Modesto, Calif., Friday, September 8, 2023. Gregori won the game 41-17.
Gregori’s Alton Williams, right, blocks a Livermore field goal attempt during the game at Gregori High School in Modesto, Calif., Friday, September 8, 2023. Gregori won the game 41-17.
Gregori’s Reggieon Foster runs for a touchdown after a catch during the game with Livermore at Gregori High School in Modesto, Calif., Friday, September 8, 2023.
Gregori’s Reggieon Foster runs for a touchdown after a catch during the game with Livermore at Gregori High School in Modesto, Calif., Friday, September 8, 2023.
Gregori students and cheer team celebrate a touchdown during the nonleague game at Gregori High School in Modesto, Calif., Friday, September 8, 2023.
Gregori students and cheer team celebrate a touchdown during the nonleague game at Gregori High School in Modesto, Calif., Friday, September 8, 2023.