HAYS – The TMP-Marian Monarchs waited out a more than two-hour rain delay and then outlasted the Phillipsburg Panthers 20-19 for the second straight win on the season.
The Monarchs (2-1, 2-1 MCL) wasted no time jumping on the board. They put together a nine-play, 78-yard drive that was capped off with a Jackson Gillespie 44-yard touchdown run, putting TMP up 7-0.
Gillespie also had a run of 18 on the drive, and Grant Nehls hauled in a 14-yard reception on the drive.
Phillipsburg answered with a nine-play, 80-yard drive, tying the game at seven with just over four minutes left in the first quarter.
The two teams played to a scoreless draw for much of the remainder of the first half, with the TMP defense forcing a pair of Panther punts and the Monachs getting a field goal blocked and punting late in the first half.
With just over four minutes left in the first half, the Monarchs put together a perfect four-minute drive that resulted in a 39-yard field goal by Carson Liles, giving TMP the 10-7 halftime lead.
The Monarchs were able to cover 61 yards on 10 plays, setting up Liles for the go-ahead field goal and a 10-7 TMP lead at halftime.
Phillipsburg fumbled deep inside their own territory to open the second half, setting up a second Liles field goal, this one from 30 yards out, putting TMP up 13-7.
Neither team was able to break onto the scoreboard in the third quarter. Then, with just over six minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, Phillipsburg tied the game at 13, but TMP blocked the extra point, keeping the game tied.
With just over six and a half minutes left, the Monarchs put together another lengthy drive, covering 78 yards, 38 of those on a pass play to Nash Dreiling that set up a three-yard touchdown run by Isaac Purinton, with the extra point giving TMP a 20-13 lead with just under two and a half minutes left in the game.
Phillipsburg would not go away, though. It took just four plays to answer with a touchdown of their own, scoring on a 69-yard touchdown run.
Down 20-19 with one minute and 37 seconds, the Panthers rolled the dice, going for two. But the Monarchs kept the runner out of the end zone, securing the one-point lead.
TMP got the ball back and secured the victory following an unsuccessful onside kick attempt by the Panthers.
TMP's Jackson Gillespie finished with 102 yards and one touchdown.
Carson Liles finished 12-of-18 passing for 153 yards. His favorite target on the night was Jacob Seib, who hauled in five passes for 39 yards.
Seven Monarchs recievers had at least one catch.
TMP will be on next Friday night before traveling to Smith Center Oct. 3rd to open district play.