HAYS - The TMP-Marian Monarchs could not overcome the relentless rushing attack of the Beloit Trojans Friday as they fall 55-14 in the first round of the 2A playoffs at Lewis Field in Hays.
TMP coach Jay Harris
Beloit received the opening kickoff and would put together a 12-play, 79-yard drive that took eight minutes off the clock and resulted in a nine-yard touchdown run by Anthony Henke giving the Trojans a 6-0 lead.
On the Monarchs opening possession of the game they would collect a couple of first downs only to see their drive stall on a turnover on downs near midfield.
Beloit took advantage of the great field position and covered 57 yards in just eight plays and capped off the drive with a three-yard touchdown run by Benson Berndt. It was his first of three rushing touchdowns in the game. Beloit had ran 20 offensive plays to TMPâs six and lead 12-0.
The Trojans then successfully recovered an onside kick and capped off a six-play drive with a touchdown pass from Owen Eilert to Brcyn Corbett from 14 yards out and four and goal and with the two-point conversion Beloit led 20-0 and TMP still had only ran six play. Beloit had totaled 26 first quarter plays.
TMP was able to get on the board late in the first-half when Kade Harris connected with Andrew Schwartz for a nine-yard touchdown cutting the deficit to 20-6.
Eilert connected with Tristan Thompson from 36 yards out with just 20 seconds left in the first half to put Beloit up 28-6 at halftime.
After a TMP turnover Beloitâs Berndt scored on a 61-yard run giving the Trojans a 36-6 lead.
Harris threw his second touchdown of the game for TMP, this time to Mark Rack from 16-yards out to cut the Beloit lead to 36-14.
Beloit scored three more times in the fourth quarter. One on an interception return for a touchdown, a 32-yard pass from Eilert to Corbett and a 60-yard touchdown run for Berndt giving Beloit the 55-14 win.
Game highlights
Beloit outgained TMP 416 to 186 total yards.
Berndt rushed for a game-high 267 yards. TMPâs Harris collected 120 yards on the ground.
TMP finished the season 7-2 while Beloit moves to 3-6 and will play Phillipsburg in the second round of the 2A playoffs.
In the 2020 season TMP claimed their first district title since 2002 and made the playoffs and hosted a playoff game for the first time since that same season. It also marks just the second time since 1988 that they have won seven games in a season.