Warriors suffer tough loss to Eureka
The best laid plans of mice and men
We had it all figured out. Marion would beat Eureka Thursday, win the district and get a home game on Tuesday. Both of the possible Tuesday opponents looked weak so there's another win and another home game. The next likely opponent, Hesston, looked tough but not unbeatable, we get by them and who knows what could happen!
It was a great scenario, but all the dreaming took a hit when an inspired Eureka team played its best game of the season on a cold Halloween night and slipped by the Warriors, 21-18.
An objective football fan would say this was a great game and a lot of fun to watch. Warrior fans may find it too painful to appreciate. Nevertheless, it was an exciting game filled with momentum swings and outstanding performances. With the stakes high, both teams battled to the end and both still have playoff life.
The first quarter was scoreless as both teams fought big game jitters and the cold. Turnovers and bad breaks kept the Tornadoes deep in Marion territory for most of the quarter, but the defense refused to break. Joel Versch pulled in an interception while Eric Smith, Neal Waner, and Jimmy Shipman all made big hits to keep the Tornadoes out of the end zone. As the teams switched sides to start the second stanza, it appeared the Warriors had dodged a bullet.
The Warriors were taking control of the game. Eureka couldn't move the ball on the ground and looked to be getting frustrated. Then disaster struck in the form of a 62-yard pass play. As Warrior defenders came in to stop the run, Eureka went long, right over the middle, and the Eureka receiver took it in for the evening's first score.
In a pattern that would be repeated all night long, the Warriors responded to the challenge. The Marion drive was lead by a clutch Versch catch and the tough running of Jason Matz. The offensive diversity kept the Eureka defenders off balance as quarterback Clayton Chamberland coolly drove the Warriors down the field. When workhorse Steven Boone scored on a one-yard plunge, the momentum was all Marion's. It didn't last long.
The Warriors have struggled with extra points all season, but it seemed the problem had been solved in recent weeks. Boone was 8 for 8 against Bluestem. With the kicking game working well, a tie seemed imminent. Eureka's strength is their line and they came through with a big play, blocking the kick and keeping the lead at 7-6.
Marion had another chance, driving deep into Tornado territory at the end of the half, but the pattern of the game continued as they seemed in command but couldn't score and trailed by one at halftime.
While the MHS band, flag corps, and dance team entertained the crowd with a fun Halloween-themed performance, the teams apparently conspired to produce a second half almost identical to the first. Marion dominates, appears to be in control, but can't get the ball into the end zone. Eureka struggles, looks to be reeling, then strikes with big plays.
Just as they had in the second quarter, the Tornadoes went to the air for points in the third. Warrior defensive back Mitch Enos was in perfect position on a long pass play, but footballs do funny things and this one went right through his hands and into the receiver's for a 63-yard score. After the PAT Eureka led 14-6 and their sideline was alive with excitement.
It was time for the Warriors to step up, and they did. Tyler Smith, Alan Vogel, and the men on the line went to work. The Warriors drove down the field. When Chamberland scored from the one, the Warriors had a chance to tie the game with a two-point conversion, but Chamberland's pass fell incomplete and Marion trailed 14-12.
As the fourth quarter got underway things were looking a bit ominous. Steven Boone, a standout on offense and defense, was limping on the sideline. The breaks weren't going Marion's way. Eureka had confidence and could see an upset victory on the horizon. At this point, after a short Warrior punt, the Tornadoes launched their best drive of the game, eventually scoring on a four-yard run by their tailback. With the extra point Eureka led 21-12 and the celebration was on.
Trailing by 9 with time running out, Marion was up against it. The way they responded speaks volumes about their character. Boone limped back into the game and showed that he is a Warrior in every sense. Matz continued to slash on offense and punish on defense. Seniors Eric Smith and Jake Adkins appeared to kick it into high gear. Eureka fumbled, and suddenly Marion was back.
The Warriors drove quickly down the field as the line held and the skill positions clicked. Chamberland lofted a beautiful pass to Versch that appeared to be just a step or so too long. Versch made a highlight film move, laying it all on the line and diving to pull in the ball deep in Eureka territory. Tyler Stubenhofer went high to grab an eight-yard TD pass. The Warriors went for two and failed. They now trailed by 3.
The situation was desperate, time was running out, and the Tornadoes had the ball. But, the Warriors got new life when Matz knifed in and recovered a fumble at the Eureka 49. Chamberland immediately went to Versch with a long pass but this time the defense was there. The Warriors stayed with the pass but couldn't move the ball. Eureka held on fourth down and the game was over.
Eureka came to town, stole a victory and the district championship. This was a tough loss but the Warriors never quit. They should take pride in that and the fact that as district runners-up, they still make the playoffs, traveling to Conway Springs Tuesday.
TEAM STATS
1st 2nd 3rd 4th Tot
Marion 0 6 6 6 18
Eureka 0 7 7 7 21
Marion Eureka
First downs 12 7
Rushing, yds. 38-173 42-92
Passes 17 11
Comp.-Att.-Int. 7-142-1 5-202-2
Total yards 317 294
Punts-avg. 4-24.8 2-36
Passes Int. 1 2
Fumbles Lost 2 2
Touchdowns: Steven Boone, 1-yard run, kick failed. Clayton Chamberland, 1-yard run, pass failed. Tyler Stubenhofer, 8-yard pass from Chamberland, pass failed.
INDIVIDUAL STATS
Rushing: Boone, 7-23. Jason Matz, 19-123. Chamberland, 12-27.
Passing: Chamberland, 7-17-142.
Receiving: Joel Versch, 6-136. Stubenhofer, 1-8.
Returns: Mitch Enos, 2-16.
Leading Tacklers — Mitch Enos, 2-4. Jason matzx, 3-4. Jake Adkins, 1-1. Steven Boone, 4-7. Jimmy Shipman, 2-5. Eric Smith, 2-3. Alan Vogel, 4-3. Neil Waner, 5-4. Tyler Smith, 4-3. Joel Versch, 3-2. Matt Rhodes, 3-3. Chris Freeby, 0-1. Tyson Heidebrecht, 2-0.
