COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The bricklayers of the Marysville defense built a wall Friday night that even Pickerington North's high-scoring offense could not climb.

Marysville defeated Pickerington North 31-6 at Panther Field on Friday night behind a defense that forced three turnovers including a pick-six.

Pickerington North struggled to get the ball moving on offense as the Panthers suffered its worst loss since Week 1 of the 2020 season.

Marysville's defense, led by Ohio State-commit Gabe Powers at linebacker, proves its effectiveness only allowing one touchdown to a team that scored over 21 points in its first two games this year.

Pickerington North's defense also forced three turnovers during Friday's game but failed to capitalize on any of them.

The game began with a bang as Marysville's Cameron Jones returned the opening kickoff for a touchdown.

Jones caught the kick in the middle of the field and process to run past the entire Pickerington North hands team on his way to the endzone.

Pickerington North would then receive the ball but would be unable to get anything going ending in a punt.

Marysville blocked the punt and started on offense just 15 yards from the endzone, but had to settle for a field goal after they could hardly move through the Panther defense.

The field goal was blocked, however, and the game remained 7-0.

Pickerington North would form a promising drive only to fumble the ball giving Marysville field position around the 50-yard-line.

The Monarchs' drive was short-lived, however, as a backward pass turned into a fumble recovery for the Panthers.

Neither team scored until early in the second quarter when Jones scored yet again on a 45-yard pick-six.

With five minutes left in the second, Marysville's Drew Montgomery recovered yet another fumble by Pickerington North.

Just as in the first quarter, Marysville would then give the ball right back on a fumbled snap by quarterback Brady Seger.

Pickerington North failed to capitalize on this opportunity leaving the score as it was.

Marysville began the second half by making a 32-yard field goal after forcing a three-and-out on the Panthers' first drive.

Pickerington North punted over ten times during Friday's game mainly in the second half.

Marysville would score yet again on an 8-yard rushing touchdown by running back Griffin Johnson.

The Panthers tried to mount a comeback with a 35-yard passing touchdown from quarterback Landon O'Connell.

However, this would not be enough as Marysville would retain its commanding lead and would clinch the win with a late-game score to make it 31-6 due to a missed Panther two-point conversion.

With the win, the Monarchs went to 2-0 on the year and will stay on the road next week traveling to Hilliard Bradley.

Pickerington North fell to 2-1 with the loss before hosting in-city powerhouse Pickerington Central next Friday night.