The Marshalltown football team’s offense opened its game against Des Moines North somewhat slow after going three-and-out in its first drive. But junior quarterback Brenden Bates and the rest of the Bobcats settled in after Bates scored on a quarterback keeper, and from there the Bobcat offense ignited in the 55-14 win over the Polar Bears on Friday night at Leonard Cole Field.

For the junior quarterback, who made the first start in his career, it was also his first touchdown. Bates felt that was the confidence-booster he needed in his five-touchdown game.

“The touchdown run,” Bates said. “That was pretty big. It was my first touchdown and it felt pretty good. It was great. The line just pushed and [Carson] Beals behind me just pushed me in so it was nice. Once we started passing it opened the run game.”

Bates ignited the passing game, going 16-for-18 with four touchdowns 166 yards and an interception.

“Going in, we know Brendan can throw the ball,” head coach Adam Goodvin said. “He’s a talented kid. He’s not dumb, he knows where to go with the ball. He knows our passing routes and everything. He’s been throwing with these guys all summer long.”

Another key moment happened for Marshalltown following Bates’ touchdown in the first quarter. Beals scored his first rushing touchdown of the night and extended the Bobcats’ lead 14-0. For Goodvin, Beals set a needed example for the Bobcats while leading the Marshalltown run game with 68 yards on 13 carries.

“Very proud of him,” Goodvin said. “A senior captain that stepped up and was tough. I think the kids saw that and they fed off him so that’s where the toughness comes from.”

Bates and Beals combined for four touchdowns in the second quarter. Beals found the end zone for a second time on a 4-yard run and Bates threw touchdown passes to tight end Will Van Buren and wide receiver John Loney.

Des Moines North managed to find a quick spurt of life as the Polar Bears scored on a 96-yard kickoff return and head into halftime trailing 34-8.

In the second half, Bates continued his success through the passing game as he threw for two more touchdowns. Playing a key role in his success were tight ends Van Buren and Carson Williams, who combined for 12 of his 16 completed passes. Bates connected with both for touchdown passes in the third quarter and extend the Bobcats’ lead to 48-8.

“The two kids are tough as nails, Carson and Will, they not only run great routes but they are on the field for every single play both defensively and offensively,” Goodvin said. “We are fortunate to have them on our side.”

At the end of the night, Williams hauled in five catches for 60 yards and a touchdown while Van Buren had seven catches for 102 yards and two touchdowns.

“They were open on the drags a lot and the play-action really opened up the middle of the field,” Bates said. [I was] able to hit our tight ends and they made some good plays so I’m thankful for that and our offensive line blocked well [also].”

In the final minutes of the game, Marshalltown’s Dominick Garth found the end zone while Des Moines North scored on a 43-yard touchdown pass with 30 seconds left in the contest.

Defensively, the Bobcats were just as dominant as they recovered a pair of fumbles, allowed only one offensive touchdown and kept the Polar Bears from scoring in their only trip to the red zone.

“All around I think we got a lot of kids playing time that really needed it,” Goodvin said. “We are a young football team. We rely on a lot of young guys to step up and play some quality football for us so that was good to see and hopefully we can build off that.”

Marshalltown (1-0) goes out on the road next Friday night for a showdown with Goodvin’s alma mater Ottumwa.

Marshalltown 55, Des Moines North 14

At Marshalltown

DM NORTH 0 8 0 6 — 14

MHS 7 27 14 7 — 55

First Quarter

MHS — Brendan Bates 1 run (Kabba Pins kick), 5:34.

Second Quarter

MHS — Beals 1 run (Pins kick), 10:04.

MHS — Will Van Buren 16 pass from Bates (kick failed), 5:37.

MHS — Beals 4 run (Pins kick), 1:45.

MHS — John Loney 6 pass from Bates (Pins kick), :04.

NORTH — Deavin Hillson 96 kick return (2 point pass good), :00.

Third Quarter

MHS — Van Buren 14 pass from Bates (Pins kick), 9:39.

MHS — Carson Williams 24 pass from Bates (Pins kick), 3:06.

Fourth Quarter

MHS — Dominick Garth 18 run (Pins kick), 7:02.

NORTH — Darrius Washington 43 pass from Nick Goergen (pass failed), .30.

INDIVIDUAL LEADERS

RUSHING — NORTH: Tan Nguyen 7-84 MHS: Beals 13-58.

PASSING — NORTH: Goergen 9-14-151; MHS: Bates 16-18-166-1.

RECEIVING — MHS: Van Buren 7-102, MHS: Williams 5-60.