HaysPost Sports
HAYS â The TMP-Marian Monarchs scored 28 unanswered points en route to a 42-12 win over the Republic County Buffaloes on Friday night at Lewis Field in Hays.
In the first-ever meeting between the two schools, the Buffaloes struck first, scoring an 80-yard rushing touchdown on the opening offensive play of the game for a 6-0 lead.
The Monarchs (6-0, 2-0) answered with a six-play, 63-yard drive capped by a 24-yard touchdown run by Jackson Gillespie. Austin Liles added the extra point to give TMP a lead it would never surrender.
TMP forced Republic County (1-5, 0-3) into a three-and-out on its second offensive possession, then used an eight-play, 53-yard drive capped by a 4-yard touchdown run by Grant Nehls to take a 14-6 lead with just over three minutes left in the first quarter.
With the game still a one-score contest, both teams settled in defensively. Each team recorded two punts, a turnover on downs and a fumble before TMPâs Jacob Seib intercepted a pass and returned it inside the Buffaloesâ 5-yard line. The interception set up the Monarchs with first-and-goal and just 31 seconds left in the first half.
The Monarchs wasted no time, with Nehls scoring on a 4-yard run for his second of three rushing touchdowns in the game. The score gave TMP a 21-6 lead.
Midway through the third quarter, with TMP still leading 21-6, Kenneth Walker recorded his second career interception. Nine plays later, Gillespie scored his second rushing touchdown of the game on a 7-yard run, putting TMP ahead 28-6 after the extra point.
The Buffaloes cut TMPâs lead to 28-12 early in the fourth quarter, with 11:50 remaining.
TMP added two more touchdowns to seal the win. Nehls scored on a 48-yard end-around with just over 10 minutes remaining. Less than three minutes later, Liles connected with Nash Dreiling on a 3-yard touchdown pass to extend the lead to 42-12. The Monarchs held on to win by that score.
Gillespie rushed for 74 yards and two touchdowns. Nehls added 65 yards on the ground and three rushing touchdowns.
Liles completed 13 of 16 passes for 148 yards and a touchdown. Seib hauled in seven receptions for 109 yards.
TMP opened the season 6-0 for just the third time since 1970.
The Monarchs will travel to Smith Center next Friday for a matchup between the districtâs top two teams.