SMITH CENTER â The TMP-Marian Monarchs stopped the Smith Center Redmen on a two-point conversion three times Friday night, with the final stop coming in overtime to preserve the Monarchsâ first-ever win over the Redmen, 28-26.
Friday nightâs meeting marked the 12th all-time matchup between TMP and Smith Center. It was the first time both teams were ranked in the top five, with the district title on the line.
TMP won the toss and elected to receive the opening kickoff. Jackson Gillespie returned it to the Smith Center 48-yard line.
The Monarchs wasted little time driving to the Smith Center 5-yard line on a 37-yard pass completion to Grant Nehls, who had an earlier touchdown called back because of an offensive pass interference penalty.
But Nehls could not handle a low snap on the next play, and the Redmen recovered at their own 8-yard line to end the Monarchsâ threat.
Smith Center moved to its own 21 before being forced to punt. Gillespie broke through and blocked the punt, setting TMP up at the Redmen 24-yard line.
On the next play, Gillespie scored the gameâs first touchdown on a 24-yard run. The extra point put TMP ahead 7-0 with just under 5 1/2 minutes remaining in the first quarter.
The Monarchs maintained their 7-0 lead through the first quarter. Both defenses shut down the opposing offenses for the remainder of the first half, sending TMP into halftime with the same lead.
Smith Center got on the board with just under two minutes remaining in the third quarter on a 45-yard touchdown run. TMP stopped the two-point conversion attempt to maintain a 7-6 lead.
Leading by one and facing a fourth-and-long situation, the Monarchs converted a 23-yard screen pass to Nash Dreiling, moving inside the red zone. Two plays later, Nehls scored on an 11-yard touchdown run. The extra point extended TMPâs lead to 14-6 with 10:28 remaining.
On the ensuing possession, Smith Center broke free for a 92-yard touchdown run on third-and-long, pulling within two at 14-12 with just under two minutes remaining. TMP stopped the two-point conversion attempt for the second time in the game.
TMP answered with a long touchdown drive of its own, capping a 10-play possession with a 9-yard touchdown pass from Austin Liles to Jacob Seib.
Smith Center blocked the extra point, leaving TMP with a 20-12 lead and 3:37 remaining.
TMP forced a turnover on downs with 2:22 left but fumbled the ball back to Smith Center at the Redmen 18-yard line with 2:16 remaining.
The Monarchs regained possession when Liles intercepted a pass with 1:42 left. TMP took over at its own 48-yard line and took a knee on first down.
Smith Center appeared to use its final timeout, but officials awarded the Redmen a fourth timeout after TMP took a knee on second down.
On second down, both teams were called for unsportsmanlike conduct penalties, stopping the clock with 1:25 remaining. Liles was also hit after the play, and officials called roughing the passer, stopping the clock again.
After another kneel-down, Smith Center blocked a punt and returned it for a touchdown, pulling within two. The Redmen converted the two-point attempt to tie the game with just over 30 seconds remaining.
The teams headed to overtime, the second overtime meeting between the programs in their last four meetings.
TMPâs Gillespie scored on a 4-yard touchdown run, and Liles connected with Seib on the two-point conversion to put the Monarchs ahead 28-20.
Smith Center scored on its first play of overtime with a 10-yard touchdown run, but the Monarchs stopped the Redmen on the two-point attempt to secure a 28-26 victory.
With the win, TMP improves to 7-0 for the first time since the 1988 season. The Monarchs clinched their first-ever Mid-Continent League football title and secured the district championship for the first time since 2020.
Jackson Gilspie led the Monarchs with 89 rushing yards and two touchdowns.
Austin Liles added a touchdown through the air to Jacobs for touchdown.
TMP will close out the the regular season with Sacred Heart next Friday.