Warriors rebound with win over Bulldogs
The Marion High School football team was severely wounded in the recent game against Sacred Heart, but proved the old adage that a wounded beast is dangerous by stomping Chase County 40-7 Friday night.
It was clear from the opening kick-off that the Warriors had something to prove to the huge Old Settlers' Day crowd on hand for the homecoming festivities. The Bulldogs were a game opponent and fought hard to the end, but they were overwhelmed in every aspect of the contest by a motivated MHS squad.
As the Warriors prepared to face Chase County, illness forced them to juggle their line-up once again. Jason Matz moved from tight end to running back, Jimmy Shipman went from center to tackle, Eric Smith moved in from tackle to guard, while Neil Waner took over at center.
No one doubted Matz's credentials as an athlete, but the senior hadn't been in the backfield since junior high, so there were many questions to be answered. The answers weren't long in coming.
Chase County seemed to focus on stopping Steven Boone and paid the price as Matz scored early on a 23-yard run. Not to be outdone, Boone responded with a 21-yard scamper later in the first quarter and Clayton Chamberland tacked on a two-yard run for a two-point conversion, putting the Warriors up 14-0.
Marion switched gears in the second quarter as Chamberland threw 36 yards to Joel Versch, who made a great catch for a touchdown. Jake Smith kicked the PAT, to go up 21-0. The half ended with the Warriors ahead 27-0, as Boone score again after a 15-yard charge behind tremendous blocking. The restructured offensive line was dominating the Bulldogs and the rout was on.
The Marion offense fired on all cylinders in this one, but it might have been the defense that really set the pace. All the usual suspects combined to shut down Chase County. Matz, Boone, Alan Vogel, and Tyler Smith were relentless. Some new Warrior heroes also emerged.
Matt Rhodes and Eric Smith took their games to a higher level. Both made multiple big hits and Rhodes pulled in an important interception when the Bulldogs went to the air after being stymied on the ground.
Shipman and Jake Adkins were solid on the line, while Versch and Mitch Enos covered the defensive back field.
But the play of Neil Waner deserves special notice. After playing well the week before, Waner soared to new heights in this one. He handled his new duties as center while recording six tackles on defense, twice catching Bulldog runners behind the line of scrimmage. He broke up two pass attempts and played solid ball all night long.
While the defense throttled the Bulldogs, the offense continued to roll in the second half, scoring on a 25-yard Boone run and a one-yard quarterback sneak by Chamberland. The Warriors only converted one extra point attempt in the second half, but Jake Smith shows great promise as place kicker. If he gains confidence and consistency, the Warriors will have another offensive weapon.
Marion substituted freely in the fourth quarter, and the "killer b's" played well, grudgingly allowing one Bulldog touchdown, while freshman backs Casey Nelson and Josh Kelsey along with the JV line showed flashes of things to come on offense.
The Warrior onslaught ended with a victory and lots of individual highlights. Boone had 200 yards on 24 carries, while Matz ran 17 times for 149, giving Marion a formidable one-two punch. Nelson looked solid with two carries for 10 yards. Chamberland ran well and keyed an efficient air attack on 4 of 7 passing, for 62 yards and a touchdown, while Versch pulled in three of his tosses for 53 yards.
This game was fun and just what the Warriors needed. Now they must build on it as they host Council Grove.
The Braves beat Chase County earlier in the year and always count the season a success if they can knock off Marion.
After being spanked by Herington Friday, they have nothing to lose and a lot to gain by throwing everything they have at the Warriors.
The Marion players have proved they have heart and can bounce back from adversity.
Now they must show they can handle success by continuing to perform at a high level and reminding the Braves how hard it is to play on Marion's home turf.
TEAM STATS
1st 2nd 3rd 4th Tot
Marion 14 13 6 7 40
Chase County 0 0 0 7 7
Marion Chase Co.
First downs 17 7
Rushing, yds. 51-404 33-160
Passing yds. 62 10
Comp.-Att.-Int. 4-7-0 3-16-1
Total yards 466 154
Punts-avg. 3-34 8-31.2
Passes Int. 0 1
Fumbles Lost 2 0
Touchdowns: Jason Matz, 23-yard run, kick failed. Steven Boone, 21-yard run, Chamberland, run PAT. Joel Versch, 36-yard pass from Chamberland, Jake Smith kick. Boone, 15-yard run, kick failed. Boone, 25-yard run, kick failed. Chamberland, 1-yard run, Smith kick.
INDIVIDUAL STATS
Rushing: Boone, 24-200. Matz, 17-149. Chamberland, 7-45. Casey Nelson, 2-10. Kevin Costello, 1-3.
Passing: Chamberland, 4-7-1.
Receiving: Joel Versch, 3-53-1. Mitch Enos, 1-9.
Punting: Tyler Smith, 3-102-34.
Leading tacklers — Mitch Enos, 1-0. Jason Matz, 5-2. Chamberland, 0-2. Jake Adkins, 2-1. Boone, 4-5. Jimmy Shipman, 2-2. Eric Smith, 4-1. Alan Vogel, 3-4. Neil Waner, 3-3. Tyler Smith, 3-4. Joel Versch, 1-2. Matt Rhodes, 4-2. Josh Kelsey, 1-0. Casey Nelson, 1-0. Michael Brookens, 1-1. Dallas Wells, 1-0. Jake Smith, 2-1. David DeForest, 0-1. Calvin Riggs, 0-2. Russell Ploutz, 1-0.
Scores of interest Warrior Opponents (in bold)
Beloit 29, Minneapolis 20
Herington 34, Council Grove 0
Sacred Heart 66, Wichita Independent 6
SE Saline 49, Ellsworth 0
Neodesha 49, Eureka 7
Belle Plaine 9, Bluestem 6
Area Scores
Peabody 22, Lincoln 6
Ellinwood 22, Hillsboro 20
