HAYS – The TMP-Marian Monarchs scored 21 straight points over a five-minute stretch in the second quarter and used a smothering defense to knock of the Plainville Cardinals 21-0 Friday at Lewis Field in Hays.
The beginning of the game belonged to both defenses. Through the first quarter and a half the two teams combined for four punts, three interceptions, a turnover-on-downs, and a missed field goal and the game was tied at zero.
After TMP (2-1) had thrown back-to-back interceptions, Plainville missed a field goal.
The Monarchs were then able to break onto the scoreboard as they put together a six-play 85-yard drive that was capped off by a Bryce Seib two-yard touchdown run that gave TMP a 7-0 lead with 5:30 left in the first-half.
Kade Harris setup with the touchdown with the game's biggest run of 45 yards.
On the Cardinals (2-1) ensuing drive, Peyton Schwartz recorded his first career interception and returned it down to the four-yard line.
That set up a three-yard Seib touchdown that put TMP up 14-0.
The TMP defense forced a punt on the next Plainville possession. It resulted in a second bad snap of the game on a punt, that set up the Monarchs up at the Plainville 25 yard-line.
Two plays later TMP's Harris broke free for a 25-yard run that gave the Monarchs up 21-0 with 44 seconds left in the first half.
Neither team was able to find the end zone in the second half as they Monarchs claimed the victory, their second straight against Plainville.
Harris led all rushers with 93-yards with one touchdown.
Seib finished with a pair of rushing touchdowns.
The Monarchs will travel to Syracuse next Friday to open district play.
Plainville takes on Ell-Saline.