Crosby quarterback Mike Marshall (Christopher Massa Republican-American)
BY MARK JAFFEE
WATERBURY — When Crosby High starts classes later this month, fourth-year starting quarterback Mike Marshall is looking forward to the day the football team’s Brass Division championship banner is hung on the wall of the Crosby Palace during a student-body assembly.
While it may not be a Naugatuck Valley League title or a state crown, to Marshall the banner will be a reminder of the strides the program has made in recent years.
“I am definitely proud of our accomplishments,” said Marshall, a senior and left-handed throwing QB. “We haven’t always come out on top, as our records have indicated. But we definitely have made progress from the time I’ve been here.”
To win the Brass Division last year, Crosby went 4-0.
The Bulldogs defeated Sacred Heart-Kaynor Tech, 27-21; Holy Cross, 36-13; Wilby, 34-13, and Kennedy, 18-15, on Thanksgiving. Against the Eagles, Marshall’s 15-yard TD pass late in the fourth quarter lifted the Bulldogs to victory and sealed their first divisional title. It was a step in the right direction, Marshall said.
Now, after back-to-back 4-6 records, the Bulldogs are striving for their first winning record in coach David Jurewicz’s six-year tenure.
Much will depend on Marshall, who has started 30 games for the Bulldogs.
“For us to reach our goals, we need to go on the field every day in practice and go hard,” said Marshall. “Only good can come from that. I want people to remember the special things we did in my senior year. I want to kick off the season strong and never look back. My feeling is that we are all motivated to do something big.”
Crosby senior center Brandon Rodriguez said the Bulldogs can be successful with Marshall leading the way.
“Mike is very commanding in the huddle in a very confident way,” said Rodriguez. “We all trust him and what he can do.”
“We know that if we do our jobs and protect Mike, we can be successful,” added senior right offensive guard Alex Bello.
Marshall is fortunate to have the pass-catching abilities of senior Eli Mbaya and senior Kenny Petteway, two playmakers for the Bulldogs.
“Mike is the motor of our team,” said Petteway. “He makes us go. We’re always on the same page. He has so much experience.”
When Jurewicz inserted Marshall into the starting role in the second half of the 2013 season opener against Naugatuck, he knew there would be growing pains. As a freshman, Marshall tossed for 1,615 yards and 16 touchdowns.
“I’ve very grateful for that experience,” said Marshall. “I learned to stay calm in pressure situations and become a leader even though I was very young. The other players would look toward me to guide them through when times get tough.”
As a sophomore, Marshall had his best statistical season, tossing for 2,123 yards with 14 TDs. Last year, as a junior, his numbers dipped to 1,490 yards and 13 TDs as the Bulldogs were geared toward a run-first offense.
But that didn’t faze Marshall, who’s never been one to worry about individual numbers or glory. He believes for the Bulldogs to be successful offensively, they must reduce the number of turnovers and penalties.
He recalled a 14-0 defeat to Naugatuck when the Bulldogs failed to score three different times in the red zone.
“We had opportunities and we just couldn’t convert,” said Marshall. “There’s nothing I love more than throwing the ball deep downfield, but I have to be smart and use my best judgment. I can’t take risks. I need to put the ball in the right spots to give my teammates a chance to make plays. I have to be patient and do what’s best for the team and utiilze all of my teammates.”
Reach Mark Jaffee at mjaffee@rep-am.com or follow him on Twitter@TheRealJaffman.