WEST MEMPHIS -- Michael Troxler accounted for four touchdowns to lead West Memphis to a 37-27 victory over Marion.
Troxler threw for three touchdowns that totaled 171 yards and added a 2-yard rushing touchdown.
But arguably his biggest play did not result in a score.
With West Memphis (4-0, 1-0 6A-East) clinging to a 10-point lead in the fourth quarter and the ball on its own 20, Troxler swept wide left and dodged three Marion defenders on his way to a 55-yard gain that flipped the field and shaved enough time off the clock to cinch the victory for the Blue Devils.
[HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL SCOREBOARD: Full results + recaps, photos and more]
"That was a big play because once we got that, it changed our thinking," West Memphis Coach Billy Elmore said. "At that point, we felt like if we didn't screw up by turning it over and giving up a quick score, we could win."
Marion (1-3, 0-1), winless in 14 tries against West Memphis, took a 7-0 lead thanks to the play of senior quarterback Jacob Green, who completed 24 of 34 passes for 346 yards. Green's 38-yard touchdown pass to Anthony Price with 2:51 left in the first quarter gave the visitors the early advantage.
But the Blue Devils came back with two touchdowns.
After missing on his first five throws, Troxler connected with senior receiver Amaurius Stinnett for a 67-yard touchdown with 2:05 left in the first quarter. Guren Holmes, who rushed for 97 yards, ran for the two-point conversion.
After Green scored on an 8-yard touchdown run to give Marion the lead, the Blue Devils went ahead for good when Troxler and Stinnett hooked up again, this time for a 68-yard touchdown pass to make it 15-14 West Memphis.
"The deep ball was there for us partly because [Marion] was trying to take away the run early on us," Elmore said.
Troxler's third touchdown pass of the game, this one to Steven Stone for 38 yards, gave West Memphis a 22-14 halftime lead.
The Blue Devils scored on their first two possessions of the second half to gain a cushion, but Marion stayed within earshot because of Green's heroics.
He threw a 17-yard touchdown to Joyrion Chase with 11:19 to play in the fourth quarter to trim West Memphis' lead to 37-27.
Sports on 09/23/2017