HAYS – The TMP-Marian Monarchs shook off a slow start and then cruised to a 56-16 win over the Syracuse Bulldogs Friday night at Lewis Field in Hays.
The Monarchs (5-2, 3-1 1A-D8) drove inside the Syracuse red zone on their first two offensive drives of the game, but both drives stalled on a pair of turnovers on downs.
On the second offensive possession of the game for Syracuse (0-7, 0-4 1A-D8), the Monarchs' safety Carson Liles intercepted a pass that set the Monarchs up with excellent field position in Syracuse territory.
Adler Brown capped off the three-play drive with a 12-yard touchdown, his first career rushing touchdown.
The Monarchs led 8-0 with just over three minutes left in the first half.
After the Syracuse interception, they fumbled on their next two offensive plays, and TMP scored on the next play.
The Monarchs scored three first-quarter touchdowns in less than 40 seconds.
Liles found Grant Nehls for a 22-yard touchdown pass after the first fumble, making it 16-0 TMP after the two-point conversion.
The second fumble and third turnover in a row by the Bulldogs led to a three-yard Austin Gilbert touchdown run from three yards out as TMP built a 24-0 lead.
The first-half offensive onslaught continued into the second quarter for TMP. The Monarchs scored on touchdown passes from Liles to Isaac Purinton, from six yards out, and from Liles to Jacob Seib from 35 yards, making it 37-0 TMP.
Liles capped off the first half with two more rushing touchdowns as TMP led at halftime 50-0.
With the running clock in the second quarter, Syracuse scored on a safety and a pair of touchdowns that surrounded a Brown touchdown as the Monarchs secured the 56-16 victory.
Liles completed 12-of-19 passes for 220 yards and three touchdowns.
Seib hauled in five passes for a career-high 148 yards and a touchdown.
TMP will close out the regular season Friday night at Plainville.