Fall to Garden Plain in state playoffs

By ADAM STEWART

News editor

The Marion High School Warriors secured a spot in the 3A state football playoffs by defeating Moundridge, 41-6, on Thursday for a district record of 2-1. The Warriors did it by dominating the ground game on both sides of the ball.

Marion rushed for 339 yards on 38 rushing attempts (8.9 yards per carry) while limiting Moundridge to 184 rushing yards on 47 rushing attempts (3.9 yards per carry). Several times in the first half, Marion stopped Moundridge on fourth-down attempts.

The game was well in hand with the Warriors leading by 41 before allowing a Moundridge touchdown midway through the fourth quarter. After getting the ball back, the Warriors drove the length of the field before taking a knee inside the 10 yard line to end the game.

Brody Carroll led MHS in rushing with 108 yards and the Warriors’ final touchdown. He also scored a 39-yard fumble return touchdown in the second quarter. Quarterback Zac Robson ran for 83 yards and 2 touchdowns. Robson also completed 3 of 6 passes for 68 yards and a touchdown despite cold and sometimes windy conditions.

James Jones averaged a first down every time he touched the ball, rushing for 60 yards on five carries and catching a pass for 22 yards. Caleb Williams had five carries for 62 yards and the first MHS touchdown, a 9-yard run. Jacob Harper caught two passes for 46 yards and a touchdown. Adam Janzen carried the ball five times for 26 yards. Grif Case made three extra-point kicks.

Garden Plain 49, Marion 14

With their victory over Moundridge, Marion advanced to the state football playoffs to play Garden Plain at the bi-district level.

Garden Plain led after one quarter, 14-0. Marion scored twice before halftime, but Garden Plain still led, 28-14. The Owls extended their lead to 42-14 at the end of three quarters and won by a final score of 49-14.

MHS scored its first touchdown on a trick play. Harper got the ball from Robson, then threw downfield to Jones for the score. The second touchdown was a more conventional pass from Robson to Harper.