Lewisville Stuns Marcus in Wild Fourth-Quarter Comeback to Win 40th “Battle of the Axe”
LEWISVILLE – The 40th edition of the “Battle of the Axe” will be remembered for chaos, fireworks, and a finish that shook Max Goldsmith Stadium to its core.
Down 14-3 heading into the fourth quarter, Lewisville exploded for 27 points in the final 12 minutes and snatched a 33-28 victory over rival Marcus in one of the rivalry’s most dramatic chapters yet.
The Farmers (4-0, 1-0 District 5-6A) looked lifeless through three quarters, but senior running back Tenel Hill lit the fuse. Hill gashed the Marauders defense in crunch time, piling up 128 yards and all three of his touchdowns in the final period, including the game-winner with just eight seconds left.
Fourth Quarter Frenzy
The final quarter opened like a storm. Marcus punted on the first snap, and Lewisville quarterback Tre Williams went to work. The junior hit Jayden Thomas twice before DJ Martin III punched in an 11-yard touchdown to trim the deficit to 14-12 with 8:35 remaining.
Marcus answered quickly. Senior running back Carter Francis capped a 75-yard march with a 13-yard score to push the Marauders’ lead back to 21-12.
That’s when Williams flipped the switch. He uncorked a 36-yard strike to Traejan Mueller, then hit him again for 20 more. Hill bulldozed down to the goal line and powered in, making it 21-19 with 3:32 to play.
On the very next possession, disaster struck Marcus. A botched exchange left the ball bouncing loose, and Lewisville’s Mac Curington pounced on it at the Marauder 20. Two plays later, Williams rolled right and found Hill, who muscled into the end zone to give Lewisville its first lead, 27-21, with just over two minutes left.
Marcus Answers Then Lewisville Answers Louder
But the Farmers’ celebration was short-lived. An unsportsmanlike penalty on the touchdown gave Marcus prime field position. Junior quarterback Colton Nussmeier took full advantage, ripping off runs of 11 and 16 before threading a perfect 28-yard touchdown pass to Jameson Mayfield. Suddenly, Marcus was back on top, 28-27, with only 41 seconds on the clock.
Game over? Not quite.
On the ensuing kickoff, sophomore Landon Brazzell delivered a lightning bolt, returning it 71 yards to the Marcus 26. A couple of Hill runs, a fumble that lineman CJ Berg nearly carried to the house, and suddenly the Farmers were two yards away. With the stadium on edge, Hill took the handoff, bounced right, and crossed the goal line with eight ticks left.
Final: Lewisville 33, Marcus 28.
The Early Story
For three quarters, it looked like Marcus’ night. The Marauders (2-1, 0-1) controlled the tempo behind Nussmeier’s arm and a stingy defense.
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First quarter: Lewisville’s gamble on fourth down failed, and Marcus turned it into points with Kade McKnight punching in from close range for a 7-0 lead.
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Second quarter: After Lewisville kicker Declan Hamm trimmed it to 7-3, Nussmeier found sophomore Berrington Kogler on a 21-yard strike just before halftime to push Marcus ahead 14-3.
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Third quarter: Hamm nailed a 43-yard field goal, but Marcus still led comfortably, 14-6, entering the decisive fourth.
Nussmeier finished 14-of-27 for 203 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. Williams countered with 315 yards on 21-of-43 passing plus the clutch TD to Hill.
What’s Next
Lewisville rides its 4-0 start into a Friday night clash with Braswell at Bill Carrico Athletic Complex. Marcus looks to rebound at home against Hebron.
But regardless of what happens next week, this one’s already etched into the history of the “Battle of the Axe.”
Lewisville walked out with the trophy and the bragging rights after one of the rivalry’s most unforgettable finishes.
