John Marshall ready for two-game stretch

John Marshall enters the final two games of the season needing a win or a Perry loss to get back in the playoffs.

It’ll be a tough task this week when the Bears face Heritage Hall.

“You always wonder how you stack up against the state’s best teams and we’ll find out Friday night,” John Marshall coach Bruce Troxell said.

A big key to John Marshall’s success so far this season is the defense. The Bears have not given up more than 21 points in any game this year and have two shutouts.

“We’re giving up some of the short passing game but we’re a bend-but-don’t-break defensem” Troxell said. “We’re getting some turnovers and making things happen defensively.”

The Bears have gotten better in recent weeks after the return of Ken Berry. Berry was injured early in the season, missed some time and hasn’t been 100 percent since his return. But he’s getting better every week.

“He’s back getting 18-19 tackles per game,” Troxell said. “And he’s making the other players better.”