HAYS – The TMP-Marian Monarchs rallied from down nine points in the third quarter to upend the Cimarron Bluejays with a 16-12 win Friday night at Lewis Field.
Coach Jay Harris
Friday’s nights matchup between the top two teams in 2A district seven was as good as advertised with the two teams playing to a 0-0 tie after the first quarter and a 3-0 TMP lead at the halftime break.
The only points came with just under 4:30 to play in the second quarter on a 25-yard field goal from TMP’s Jace Wentling.
The scoring began two pick up in the second half when Cimarron scored on a 70-yard touchdown pass following a TMP turnover. But a blocked extra-point by Lance Lang left the scored at 6-3 Cimarron.
TMP turned it over for a second straight possession, and the third time in the game on the ensuing possession and Cimarron marched right down the field and scored on a Braxton Harrison eight-yard touchdown run. He had runs of 25 and 11 yards on the drive before the touchdown. But TMP was able to keep Cimarron out of the endzone on the two point try keeping the score 12-3 3:44 to play in the third quarter.
The Monarchs had an answer this time as sophomore quarterback Kade Harris hit Jace Wentling for a 69-yard touchdown that pulled TMP within three with just over two minutes to play in the third quarter.
Midway through the fourth quarter a pass from Cimarron’s quarterback deflected off his receiver’s hands and was intercepted by TMP’s Harris.
A good return set the Monarchs up inside the Bluejays red zone and on third-down and goal Harris found Wentling in the endzone for the second time, this time from four-yards out. After the Wentling extra-point TMP led 16-12 with just under three minutes to play.
Cimarron was putting together a drive as time expired by TMP’s Kenton Ginther and Kaleb Hagans recorded their first career sacks on back-to-back plays that gave TMP the ball back on a turnover on downs by the Bluejays and help the Monarchs secure the 16-12 win.
Game highlights
TMP outgains Cimarron 290to 236 yards of total offense.
Harris completed 6-of-10 passes for 136 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. He added a team-high 86rushing yards.
Wentling has now catch a pass in 15 of his last 16 games and has four touchdown receptions in the last two weeks.
The Monarchs improved to 3-0 in games decided by seven points or less.
They are 6-1 for the first time since 1989 and earned their first six-game win streak since 2002. They are also 4-0 and sit atop 2A district number seven heading into a week eight matchup with Lakin.
Cimarron dropped to 4-3 and 3-1 in the district.