By CADEN SIERRA

Journal Sports Writer

MARQUETTE — The Marquette Sentinels opened up their 2024-25 season with a resounding 55-0 victory over the Gladstone Braves on Thursday night at Marquette Senior High School. The Sentinels’ dominant performance on both sides of the ball set the tone for what could be a promising season ahead.

The game started with a controlled and deliberate offensive drive by Marquette, with quarterback Ford Richardson leading the charge. Despite an early flag that negated a big play, the Sentinels regrouped and continued to press forward. Richardson, showing poise in the pocket, connected with wide receiver Jacob MacPhee for a pass early in the second quarter, breaking the scoreless deadlock. Kicker Sawyer Johnson added the extra point, giving Marquette a 7-0 lead.

From that moment, Marquette’s offense found its rhythm. The Sentinels capitalized on a series of Gladstone mistakes, including a fumble recovery deep in Braves territory that set up a 30 yard-plus touchdown run by Richardson. Despite a missed extra point, Marquette’s lead grew to 13-0. The Sentinels’ defense standing tall consistently stifled Gladstone’s offense, preventing them from gaining any momentum.

The Sentinels’ offensive onslaught continued before halftime, with Richardson finding wide receiver Kyler Sager for another touchdown, as the Sentinels extended their lead to 20-0. Just before the break, Marquette struck again, with Richardson once again connecting with Sager for his second touchdown of the night. A successful extra point sent the teams into halftime with the Sentinels firmly in control at 27-0.

The second half was more of the same, with Marquette’s offense continuing to dominate play. With the game well in hand, the Sentinels’ would close out the game with a final running touchdown by Brady Audette.

Marquette head coach Eric Mason was impressed with his team’s discipline, execution and particularly the physical play. “They gave me everything they got, and I can’t ask for nothing more, right there. Obviously, the score reflects, but I’d rather see the game where they’re playing hard, they’re getting to the ball, and they’re playing as a unit, and that was what we saw.”

Gladstone head coach Craig Ness after the game spoke on his team’s performance saying “In the second quarter Marquette just got on the roll. We missed some tackles. They had long plays scored, and it just created the effect of us losing our momentum, and, you know, it just rolled from there.”

Looking forward Ness said “we got to forget this. This isn’t us. You know, we’re a better team than this. But it’s flat out what they got to do, they got to come together as a team, get motivated and show up to play.”

Both teams will look to continue their seasons next Thursday as the Sentinels will look to take on Alpena away next game at 7pm while the Braves will face off against Miners in Negaunee at 7pm as well.

Caden Sierra can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 551. His email address is csierra@nmu.edu.