It took the TMP-Marian Monarchs and the Russell Broncos three overtimes to determine a winner on Friday night in Russell and when it was all said and done it was the Broncos who emerged victorious.
After a TMP (1-1) punt on their first possession Russell (2-0) wasted no time getting on the board as Jacob Windholz scored from 66 yards out leading Russell to a 7-0 first quarter lead.
The Broncosā defense was able to keep TMP in check for most of the first half. TMPās first four offensive possessions ended in a pair of punts, a turnover on downs and an fumble.
The fumble led to a second quarter Russell field goal for a 10-0 lead.
The Monarchs offense got on the board late in the first-half thanks to the passing attack.
TMPās Kade Harris capped off a touchdown drive that took less than a minute with a 34-yard pass to Andrew Schwartz that cut the margin to 10-7.
In the third quarter TMP added a 30-yard Jace Wentling field goal to tie the game at 10 with six and a half minutes to play in the quarter.
Neither team was able to find the endzone the rest of the way in regulation as the game went to overtime.
In the overtime period TMP failed to score on their first possession but Harris blocked the potential game-winning field goal for Russell to force a second overtime.
In the second overtime period Russell got on the board quickly with a 16-yard touchdown for a 17-10 lead.
The Monarchs answered right back with a Harris one-yard touchdown run and the game was again tied, this time at 17.
In the third overtime period TMP attempted a fake field goal on fourth down that resulted in an interception.
Two plays later Russell got into the endzone on a 16-yard touchdown run as they clinched the 23-17 win.
TMPās Kade Harris had 59 yards on 19 carries with that one touchdown. He also threw for 96 yards and one score.
The Russell win break a three-game win streak for TMP over the Broncos.
TMP hosts Plainville Friday night in their first home game of the season while Russell takes on Norton.