By JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT
Hays Post
HAYS â The TMP-Marian defense turned in its second shutout of the season and the offense exploded for 22 second half points as the Monarchs eearn their first win over Phillipsburg in more than 20 years Friday night, 22-0 at Lewis Field in Hays.
The Monarchs (4-2, 4-1 MCL, 1-1 2A-District 8) offense opened the game with the football and proceeded to put together a 17-play drive that took 11 minutes and 17 seconds off the clock before stalling at the Phillipsburg 17-yard line.
Phillipsburg (2-4, 2-3 MCL, 0-3 2A-District 8) also strung together a long drive only to turn it over on downs at their own 49 yard line.
TMP had a second shot on offense in the second quarter only to see their 11-play drive stall on turn over on downs after getting all the way to the Phillipsburg one-yard line.
Phillipsburg was unable to do anything with the ball and the first half ended in a 0-0 tie.
The two offenses were still unable to find the endzone until the final two minutes of the third quarter when Griffin Schumacher, who returned from injury this week, scored on a 25-yard run on third and 13 with one minute and 32 seconds to play in the third quarter. He also added the two-point conversion putting TMP up 8-0.
Phillipsburgâs first of three fumbles of the game set up the touchdown that ended a stretch of 10 straight quarters without an offensive touchdown for TMP.
Early in the fourth quarter TMPâs defense forced Phillipsburg into a turnover on downs at midfield when Colton Hagans, who also returned from injury Friday, sacked the quarterback.
The Monarchs first of two fourth quarter touchdowns came with just under seven minutes to play on a three yard run for Schumacher who added the two-point conversion for a 16-0 TMP lead.
The Monarchs added a third touchdown, second of the fourth quarter, with just four and a half minutes left in the game when Schumacher broke free for a 25-yard touchdown run after yet another Phillipsburg fumble.
The two-point conversion failed but TMP held a 22-0 lead and that would be the final score as the Monarchs end a 12-game losing streak against Phillipsburg.
Unofficially TMP outgained Phillipsburg 275 yards to 138.
Schumacher led the Monarchs with 146 yards and three touchdowns. Max Gerstner finished with a season-high 72 yards on 16 carriers.
TMP will host Norton next Friday night in another 2A district eight games.