With under two minutes to play, Virginia’s Stone Bridge put Quince Orchard on the brink of its first loss since Nov. 29, 2019. The 2021 3A Virginia State Champions’ late touchdown put the Bulldogs up 22-21, and in position to take bragging rights back to Ashburn.
Quince Orchard senior quarterback Nino Marzullo and his offense weren’t accustomed to playing in close games. But in the final drive, Marzullo delivered the biggest throw of his life.
Quince Orchard only needed a field goal, but the lefty quarterback’s 39-yard touchdown strike to Tavahri Groves with 17 seconds to go became an all-time moment for the Cougars’ signal caller.
With 17 seconds left, it comes down to THIS pass from @Nino_Marzullo to @TavahriG for the most CLUTCH TD in who knows how long! (2pt good)
QO 29 – Stone Bridge 22, :17 4th pic.twitter.com/V0LYUQiSUA— Jud Ashman (@judashman) September 15, 2023
Marzullo’s game-winning pass sent Quince Orchard to its 33rd-straight victory, a 29-22 instant classic over the highly reputable program from Ashburn.
“When [Groves] caught that ball I just couldn’t even believe it,” Marzullo said. “It’s definitely a top-three moment in my career playing sports.”
Marzullo’s heroic moment earned him the Montgomery County High School Athlete of the Week award.
“It feels really good to receive this honor,” Marzullo said. “A lot of athletes had great weeks, so it’s great that I performed as well as some great competition.”
Each week throughout the school year, the Montgomery County Sports Hall of Fame is partnering with Montgomery Community Media to honor an Athlete of the Week from the county’s more than 40 public and private high schools.
Marzullo finished the game with two touchdowns — one of them an eight-yard rush, which ended in the quarterback leaping over a diving defender.
Quince Orchard’s offense sparked through its running game in the first half, but an efficient Marzullo completed 12 of 17 passes and came through on the final drive.
Junior running back Iverson Howard’s domination on the ground takes loads of pressure off Marzullo. In three games, Howard’s accumulated 322 yards and 6 touchdowns on only 33 carries.
Still, Marzullo is throwing an admirable 332 yards while completing 60 percent of his passes. Marzullo currently holds offers from University of Maryland and Alabama A&M.
“My coaches push me hard in practice every day to get better,” Marzullo said. “They’ve put me in a position to succeed and improve.”
Marzullo transferred to Quince Orchard as a sophomore after spending the Covid season with Good Counsel. The path to the starting position didn’t come easy for Marzullo, as he spent time learning from the Cougars’ former quarterback, Savon Briggs.
Briggs led Quince Orchard to two straight state undefeated state championship seasons. Marzullo spent some time on the field when rotated in, but didn’t become the starter until Briggs’ graduation.
“It was good to learn from Briggs,” Marzullo said. “I just watched what he did and tried to perfect it.”
The pressure for Marzullo remains high following his heroic moment. With two titles in the rearview mirror, Quince Orchard has its eyes on a third. It’s for that reason that head coach John Kelley scheduled two top-of-the-line opponents from Virginia.
Marzullo said playing schools such as Stone Bridge and South County made him and his teammates better, and in the long run, prepared the Cougars for November football.
