The Bobcats (4-4) held the winless J-Hawks (0-8) to minus-9 yards of rushing offense and kept their hosts off the scoreboard. Marshalltown’s last shutout victory was a 70-0 triumph over Waterloo East on Sept. 9, 2016.

MHS junior quarterback Dalen Huston threw two touchdown passes — both to Treshaun Brooks — and added a pair of touchdown runs as the Bobcats piled up 446 yards of total offense and a season-high scoring output.

Allah “Ace” Holmes rushed for 180 yards and two touchdowns, Tate Riang tacked on a 48-yard touchdown run and the Bobcats breezed to their third consecutive victory.

“It was a very fun night,” said MHS head coach Adam Goodvin. “We got a lot of people in the game and I think from top to bottom our kids played extremely hard and physical and tough. That’s what you need to give yourself a chance to win a football game.

PHOTO BY NICK ROHLMAN/THE GAZETTE - Marshalltown’s Dalen Huston (15) carries the ball for a gain during Thursday’s football game against Cedar Rapids Jefferson at Kingston Stadium in Cedar Rapids. Huston had two rushing touchdowns and two passing scores as the Bobcats blasted the host J-Hawks, 48-0.

“I’m proud of their effort, especially playing on a Thursday. Overall it was a good night.”

Marshalltown set the tone with the opening drive as Holmes and Huston combined for all 80 yards rushing. Huston capped the drive with a 3-yard touchdown plunge and the Bobcats never trailed.

MHS blocked Cedar Rapids Jefferson’s ensuing punt and Holmes punched the ball into the end zone for a 4-yard touchdown run on the next play.

Huston hit Brooks on a 52-yard touchdown pass and Holmes had a 6-yard TD run to help Marshalltown capture a 27-0 lead through the first quarter.

“We want to keep things rolling,” Goodvin said. “We’ve got a big week next week, Des Moines North has had some success, so the kids know that. We’ll make sure we’re rested up and we’ll get to film tomorrow.”

The Bobcats close the regular season with next Friday’s 7 p.m. home game against Des Moines North.