ALTON — The Alton Marquette Explorers faced a tough challenge Friday night as the Belleville Althoff Crusaders came to town for Marquette’s homecoming game. Althoff jumped out to a big early lead and went on to defeat the Explorers 48-28.
It was all Althoff in the first half.
KJ Watkins got the Crusaders on the scoreboard with a 36-yard touchdown run. Steven Brown then added back-to-back touchdown runs of 8 and 38 yards.
Althoff’s Logan Thompson capped off the first quarter with a 70-yard punt return for a touchdown, giving the Crusaders a 28-0 lead.
Brown continued his big night in the second quarter, scoring his third touchdown of the game on a 1-yard run.
Marquette finally got on the board when Don’Tay Longstreet scored on a 1-yard touchdown run.
Althoff answered with two more touchdowns before halftime. Watkins hauled in a 42-yard touchdown pass, and Brown added his fourth touchdown of the night on a 35-yard run.
The Crusaders took a commanding 48-7 lead into halftime.
Marquette found more success offensively in the second half.
In the third quarter, De’Mialo Jones caught a 39-yard touchdown pass to cut into the deficit.
Marquette added two more touchdowns in the fourth quarter. Ryan Hubbard scored on a 6-yard touchdown pass, followed by Kavon Lacey’s 8-yard touchdown run to close out the scoring.
Despite Marquette’s second-half comeback effort, Althoff’s dominant first half proved to be the difference as the Crusaders secured the 48-28 victory.
