Warriors continue to dominate
n Steven Boone rushes for more than 200 yards to lead Warriors past Braves
Steven Boone has been a force to reckon with for Cottonwood Valley League opponents this season.
In the first three league games, Boone has amassed 556 yards rushing on 67 carries, a little over eight yards a carry.
Friday was no different.
Boone carried the ball 22 times for 215 yards to help lead the Warriors to a blowout over the Council Grove Braves, 48-7. The Warriors are now 4-1for the season.
"The best thing about the past two games has been the opportunity to get all of our players into the games on Friday night," head coach Grant Thierolf said. "It's a big deal for players to have the opportunity to play in a varsity game and we are pleased that we have been able to do that."
According to Thierolf, the running game has been effective because of Marion's talented offensive line.
"Our running game is clicking because our offensive line has been playing very well for the past four weeks," Thierolf said. "Jimmy Shipman, Tyler Smith, Neil Waner, Tyson Heidebrecht, and Dale Vogel have worked very well together and are playing at a high level of competence. That's the reason we've had the success we've had running the ball."
Marion shot out of the gates early and often in the first half.
The Warriors scored on their first four possessions of the game.
Boone started the scoring onslaught with a two-yard run that netted the first touchdown of the evening. Boone's PAT kick was unsuccessful.
On their next possession, Boone galloped 35 yards to paydirt to give Marion a 12-0 lead, after a second unsuccessful PAT attempt.
The rambling Boone, began the second quarter where he left off, trotting 31 yards for his third touchdown of the night on the Warriors next offensive possession. Clayton Chamberland hooked up with Josh Smith in the endzone for the two-point conversion on a pass play to give Marion a 20-0 lead.
Chamberland's pass to Calvin Riggs on their fourth possession, netted eight yards and another touchdown. Boone added the PAT kick, and Marion took a 27-point advantage.
Later in the second quarter, Boone added to his rushing mayhem with a 13-yard TD run, which he capped off with the PAT kick.
The Warriors took a 34-0 lead into the locker room at intermission, while shutting out the Braves' offense.
The second half included two additional Warrior touchdowns.
Chamberland ran in from seven yards out for the first of two Marion touchdowns in the second half. Boone added the PAT and Marion led 41-0.
Josh Kelsey got into the offensive action as well in the second half, as he found David DeForest on a pass play for eight yards and a touchdown. Jeffrey Richmond assumed kicking duties for the Warriors splitting the uprights on the PAT, which gave Marion a 48-point advantage.
The Braves finally got on the scoreboard late in the final quarter against the Warrior reserve corps to cut the final margin of victory for Marion to 41.
A major chunk of Boone's 225 yards, which echoed his performance a week ago against Chase County, came in the first half of play. The senior running back had 181 yards in the first half.
As a unit, the Warriors compiled 371 total yards rushing to remain undefeated in the CVL. Boone's big night was complemented by Casey Nelson's 68-yard performance on 10 carries.
Chamberland finished with 69 yards in the air and 35 on the ground in the win.
Defensively the Warriors were led by Tyler Smith, who had four solo tackles and four assists.
Dale Vogel and Riggs each had a fumble recovery. Riggs and senior Tyler Stubenhofer also had an interception each in the contest.
Marion hosts the Herington Railers Friday night. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.
