By JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT
Hays Post
STERLING – The TMP-Marian Monarchs could not overcome several big plays by the Sterling Black Bears, and their season came to an end Friday night with a 48-6 loss in the first round of the 1A playoffs.
The Monarchs offense drove inside the Sterling 30-yard line on their opening possession, thanks to a 63-yard run by Grant Nehls, but the drive stalled before Carson Liles threw his first of two interceptions in the endzone.
On the Black Bears' first offensive play, Sterling scored on an 80-yard touchdown run, giving the team a 7-0 lead with just under nine minutes to play in the first quarter.
TMP was forced into a punt on their second possession and then forced Sterling to turn it over on downs in their territory. But once again, after driving inside the Sterling 25-yard-line before turning the ball over on downs.
Neither team could find their rhythm for most of the second quarter, with the Monarchs turning it over on turn downs twice.
Sterling broke on the board for the second time in the first half on a 69-yard touchdown pass, making it 14-0 Sterling with less than three minutes to play in the first half.
The Monarchs turned it over on a bad snap on a punt, setting up a short field for the Black Bears. With less than 30 seconds left in the first half, the Black Bears scored on an 11-yard pass for a 21-0 lead at halftime.
Sterling opened the second half with an 80-yard kickoff return, setting up a two-yard touchdown run two plays later for a 28-0 Sterling lead.
Sterling added a second, third-quarter touchdown to extend their lead to 34-0 with just over four minutes remaining in the quarter.
TMP finally broke onto the scoreboard when Liles scored on a four-yard touchdown run by Liles, making it 34-6 with 2:19 left in the third quarter. A 41-yard pass to Jacob Seib set up the touchdown.
Sterling added two more fourth-quarter touchdowns on their way to a 48-6 victory.
Liles finished 6-for-17 with two interceptions.
Adler Brown added 60 yards rushing.
TMP finished the season 5-4.