Sep 26, 2020

🏈Big second half lifts TMP to rout of Syracuse

Posted Sep 26, 2020 5:31 AM

HAYS – The TMP-Marian Monarchs earned their third win in-a-row for the first time since 2011 and opened district play with a 32-0 win over the previously unbeaten Syracuse Bulldogs Friday at Lewis Field.

Coach Jay Harris

TMP got off to a slow start offensively when a 13-play drive stall with a turnover on downs inside the Syracuse one-yard line.

The defense was able to force a quick three-and-out and following a 24-yard Kade Harris punt return the Monarchs were set up first and 10 and the Bulldogs 10-yard line.

Three plays later Harris scored on a four-yard touchdown run, the first of two rushing touchdowns on the night of the sophomore, putting the Monarchs up 7-0 with just under a minute to play in the first quarter.

In the second quarter the Monarchs started with great field position several times but had a missed field goal, a fumble and a punt on three possessions.

But of the second week in-a-row the defense would account for six points. This week it was Andrew Schwartz who hauled in an interception and fought three a handful of tackles to return it 21 yards and score the games second touchdown putting TMP up 13-0.

At the end of the first half Syracuse got the biggest play of the game on a 66-yard pass but Harris ran down the receiver from behind, catching him inside the five-yard line and the defense was able to keep the Bulldogs out of the endzone as TMP took the 13-0 lead into the halftime break.

In the second half the Monarchs defense continue to stifle the Bulldogs offense and TMP’s offense found its rhythm ranking up 252 total yards in the second half.

Harris scored his second rushing touchdown, this one on fourth down from 19 yards out early in the fourth quarter giving TMP a 19-0 lead.

In the fourth quarter the Monarchs got an eight-yard touchdown run from Bryce Seib and Harris connected with Zach Meis on a six-yard touchdown pass to give the Monarchs the 32-0 lead.

Game highlights

In the game TMP outgained Syracuse 312 to 70 yards of total offense. Sixty-six of those yards came on one play.

TMP also shutdown the rushing attack of Syracuse that had averaged 292 yards through the first three games of the season. The allowed -23 yards on the ground.

Harris paced the Monarchs rushing attack with 126 yads on 20 carries. He also completed 8-of-18 passes for 111 yards.

TMP improves to 3-1 on the season while Syracuse drops to 3-1.

The Monarchs travel to rival Ellis next week.