Warriors nipped by Lions
In last season's match-up against Minneapolis, the Marion football team put together a late-game drive and capped it off with a touchdown to capture their first win of the year.
On Friday, with less than three minutes left in the game, history almost repeated itself — almost being the key word.
The Warriors fell to Minneapolis 21-19 in their season opener.
Trailing by two, with the Lions driving, and the clock ticking, Calvin Riggs snared a Lions pass to give Marion new life and the ball just outside their endzone.
The Warriors rattled off a 58-yard drive, before the offense turned sour. Facing fourth-and-six, quarterback Clayton Chamberland was dropped for sack to close out the game for Minneapolis.
"We were disappointed that we didn't play smarter and more disciplined," Marion head coach Grant Thierolf said. "Those are coaching things, and things we are going to fix. We have to get our players prepared for every play."
At the outset, it appeared that Minneapolis would have their way with the Warriors, as they drove 87-yards in eight plays for a touchdown.
After going four-and-out, the Marion defense took center stage. On a Lion punt attempt, Riggs slipped outside a Minneapolis defender and sprawled out to block the kick. An alert Tyson Heidebrecht picked up the bobbling ball and galloped 45 yards for his first varsity touchdown — and Marion's first score. Steven Boone split the up-rights and the Warriors knotted the game at sevens.
After Josh Smith thwarted a strong Minneapolis drive with an interception, Boone swept around the left side of the line on Marion's next play from scrimmage, and went 50 yards before being lassoed just inside the 10-yard line.
After three plays, Chamberland gave Marion a 6-point advantage with a touchdown. Boone failed to convert the PAT, and at half Marion led 13-7.
After intermission, the Warriors botched the kick-off return and surrendered the ball to Minneapolis, who was unable to score.
The Warriors retained the ball, but muffed the snap on their first play of the second half, and again, gave the ball back to the Lions.
Minneapolis made good on the possession as they converted on a half-back pass for a touchdown. They added the PAT and led 21-13.
Late in the fourth quarter, Marion added a 60-plus yard scoring drive to close the margin to within two points after an unsuccessful 2-point conversion, and seal the win for the Lions.
Marion compiled just 224 yards on offense to Minneapolis's 334 yards. Boone led the Warrior offensive attack with 129 yards on 19 carries. Chamberland was 4-for 13 passing the ball for 63 yards.
Boone also led the team in tackles with seven solo tackles and seven assisted tackles. Tyler Stubenhofer had five solo tackles and four assisted tackles.
With the loss, the Warriors are 0-1. They are scheduled to face Southeast of Saline on Friday. Kickoff is at 7 p.m.
