Marietta’s Kobe Alexander (15) carries the ball as teammate Seth Britton (3) blocks it during Friday’s game against Claymont at Don Drumm Stadium. (Photo by Kerry Patrick)

MARIETTA – Attention, Marietta offensive linemen, your cookies are on their way.

On Friday night at Don Drumm Stadium, the guys in the trenches made life easier for quarterbacks Seth Britton and Kobe Alexander as the Tigers’ two-headed monster combined for 326 yards in a 28-13 victory over Claymont.

Britton and Alexander each scored two touchdowns. Britton ran for a game-high 180 yards on 23 attempts, while Alexander added 146 yards and an interception in the first half on defense.

Marietta improved to 3-1 after Friday’s away test at Whitehall Yearling.

“Honestly, I buy all the cookies from the offensive line” Alexander said. “I can bake some. If they don’t like it, I’ll buy them some.

Marietta’s Aiden Wilkinson (65) attacks Claymont’s Nolan McMorrow (8) during a passing play during Friday’s game at Don Drumm Stadium. (Photo by Kerry Patrick)

“Honestly, it’s not me and Seth. It’s our offensive line. They bully people. Not many teams can stop our offensive line when they’re in the game.”

The rebound from last week’s loss in Athens left a better feeling in the Marietta camp. The Tigers limited Claymont’s athleticism to a minimum. The Mustangs, relying on passing, managed just 52 yards and were intercepted twice in the first half. Marietta’s Owen Riley had the other interception.

“We started the first half a bit poorly – we didn’t play our best, but the guys reacted well and played much better in the second half” Marietta coach Jason Schob said, “You watch their film and you see Claymont has a couple of playmakers. They’ve scored against some pretty good teams, so I’m proud of our defense.

“We got beat up top on a couple plays against Athens, so we really worked on pass coverage and staying on receivers in scramble situations. Our (backs) did a really good job moving the ball.”

The teams played to a 7-7 halftime tie, but Marietta’s defense kicked into gear in the third quarter. On Claymont’s first two drives of the second half, the Mustangs were held to minus-2 yards on a pair of three-and-outs.

Marietta’s Junior Bass (9) carries the ball as Claymont’s Logan Arnold (45) and Dre’Vonn Searcy (6) combine on offense during Friday’s game at Don Drumm Stadium. (Photo by Kerry Patrick)

Marietta took advantage and scored on its first two offensive drives of the third quarter. Alexander, who ran just outside the first-down marker on fourth-and-1 from the Claymont 6, was called on the next play and scored from five yards out — his first TD of the season.

The Tigers quickly executed on their next play, moving the ball 47 yards in four plays. Britton, who tied the score late in the second quarter with a 10-yard TD run, found the end zone from eight yards out for the sixth time this season.

Thanks to excellent play by Braxten Lang and scoring on the extra point, Marietta extended its lead to 21-7 at the 3:36 mark of the third period.

“This victory really strengthens our team – we will have a lot of energy before (this Friday)” said Britton, who also stopped a Claymont pass attempt that could have been a touchdown and a pick-six in the third quarter. “The offensive line – those are the guys. They’re the ones who make all the plays happen. Everything runs through them. If it wasn’t for them, I wouldn’t be here.”

Claymont, who was 0-4, added variety to the ground game with his passing, covering 65 yards in 14 plays and scoring his second touchdown when Dre’Vonn McMorrow slid across the goal line from five yards out for his second touchdown of the night.

Claymont didn’t score, but it didn’t matter as Marietta scored on its third consecutive possession early in the second half. With the ball at the Mustangs’ 21-yard line, Alexander nearly scored but was stopped at the 1-yard line. Alexander scored another touchdown to make it 28-13 with 4:02 left in regulation.

“Our defense is just pure effort” said Alexander. “We are always running to the ball, fighting for each other.”

Contact Kerry Patrick at [email protected]