Hays Post Sports
HOISINGTON - The TMP-Marian Monarchs ran their win streak to two straight to open the season, taking down the Russell Broncos 35-6 Friday night in Hoisington.
The Monarchs (2-0, 2-0 MCL) wasted no time getting on the scoreboard, scoring on three straight offensive possessions to open the contest.
Jackson Gillespie had a huge game running behind the TMP offensive line, eclipsing the 100-yard rushing mark for the seventh time in his career.
He opened the game with a 73-yard touchdown run, putting TMP up 7-0 after the extra point.
It was more of the same on the Monarchs' second possession, with Gillespie scoring from 53 yards out for a 14-0 lead with just under five minutes left in the first quarter.
The Monarchs' defense kept a tight hold on the Broncos for much of the first half. Gillespie scored his third touchdown from 2 yards out with 10 minutes left in the first half.
Russell (0-2, 0-2 MCL) scored its only touchdown of the game with just over seven minutes left in the first half, and TMP went into halftime with a 21-6 lead.
After a halftime break, the second half was much of the same for the Monarchs.
Following a Russell fumble, Gillespie scored on a 55-yard touchdown run, the Monarchs' first score of the second half, to give TMP a 28-6 lead in the third quarter.
Gillespie added his final touchdown, a 9-yard run, with a little more than a minute left in the third quarter to give TMP a 35-6 lead.
The Monarchs amassed 400 total yards of offense in the game, including 328 on the ground and 72 through the air.
TMP outgained Russell 400-267.
TMP's Jackson Gillespie finished with 282 yards and five touchdowns on 21 carries. Austin Liles added 46 yards rushing and 72 yards passing.
The Monarchs will travel to Phillipsburg Friday for a Week 3 MCL matchup against the Panthers.