Staff writer
The Marion High School defensive line set the tone for an opportunistic Warrior defense from the first possession of the game. The Warriors eventually defeated Lyons 20-7 on Friday at Lyons.
After the Warriors stuffed two consecutive run plays, Lyons quarterback Michael Vincent dropped back for a third-down pass and was promptly sacked by defensive end Les Riggs, who raced off the edge to leave the Lyons offense with fourth-and-30 deep in their own territory.
The play gave the Warriors advantageous field position at the 34-yard line. Riggs ran the ball twice before Colten Johnson swept outside where he dove past the west side pylon for the first score of the game.
Later in the first quarter, Lyons was able to gash the Warrior front with a counter run and then a speed option play. At about the Warrior 20-yard line, Matthew Vincent caught a touchdown from Michael Vincent over his shoulder in the western corner of the end zone.
“They took advantage of some aggression,” coach Grant Thierolf said. “It was a good scheme on their part.”
The aggressive Warrior defense paid off early in the second quarter. Johnson, playing at linebacker, intercepted a pass on the western sideline and ran the ball 22 yards for another touchdown, giving Marion a 12-7 lead.
The Warriors would not trail for the rest of the game.
With the score still at 12-7 in the third quarter, Lyons was threatening. They ran for one first down and threw for another. Around midfield, the Warrior defensive line made its presence felt.
The Warrior defensive front — a combination of tackles Connor Thierolf, David Helmer, Tim Costello, and John Tacha and ends Spencer Fugitt, Riggs, Adam Cope, and Dakin Ledford — stopped two consecutive runs. On third-and-long, Fuggit ended the Lyons drive with a sack.
Helmer, Connor Thierolf, Cope, and Fugitt all had tackles for a loss in the game. Riggs ended the night with three sacks, while fellow ends Fugitt and Ledford each notched one quarterback take down.
The pressure applied by the lineman bolstered tight coverage by Marion defensive backs. Along with Johnson’s interception, Randy Regnier also had two interceptions: one late in the second quarter and another in the fourth quarter.
Grant Thierolf highlighted the play of Helmer specifically his intensity on the field.
“It’s just that thing that happens when you grow from a sophomore to a junior,” Thierolf said. “You start performing better. He’s always been a good athlete.”
After Fuggit’s sack, the Warriors took over on offense. On third down and 5 yards, Dillon Richmond dropped back for a pass, scrambled away from a Lyons pass rush and then threw a 52-yard strike down field to Ledford who sprinted down the field before being tackled about 10 yards from the Lyons end zone.
After a false start penalty that pushed the Warriors back to first -and-15, Marion ran the ball four times including a 9-yard run by Riggs on third down and a 2-yard run up the middle on a fourth down.
Thierolf noted Costello’s blocking at the center position on this play and several key short-yardage runs throughout the game.
The quarter ended with the Warriors at the goal line, facing third-and-one, Riggs again ran behind Costello to put the Warriors up 18-7.
“It was the first TD of the season,” Riggs said of his score. “That made it special.”
Johnson then ran a 2-point conversion, increasing the Marion margin to 20-7.
Lyons threatened to score two more times in the game. One drive ended in a Regnier interception. Another drive late in the fourth quarter ended with a fumble recovery by Helmer.
Grant Thierolf said the victory was a good first win against a quality opponent. He was pleased with the blocking by the offensive line and the overall play of the defense.
“We’re not the biggest or the fastest defense,” Grant Thierolf said, “but we take advantage of things when we get a chance.”
He expects the Warriors to temper their aggression on defense in future games.
“Everything we gained in negatives we gave up in big plays,” he said.
He also realizes the total option offense requires precision from its quarterback and running backs. As the Warrior skill position players become more comfortable, the offensive production should improve.
“We are going to get a whole lot better,” Grant Thierolf said.
Warriors play at home Friday against Inman.
stats
RUSHING_ Riggs 16-68 TD, Johnson 6-46 TD, Regnier 3-11, Richmond 13-(minus 29).
PASSING_Richmond 2-2-78.
RECEIVING_Ledford_1-52, Regnier 1-26.
INTERCEPTIONS_Regnier 2, Johnson 1 TD.
TACKLES_Connor Thierolf 9, Regnier 5, Cope 3, Johnson 3, Cole Lewman 3, Corey Hiebert 4, Helmer 3, Ledford 2, Costello 2, Jordan Versch 1.