By JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT
Hays Post
RUSSELL â The TMP-Marian Monarchs entered Friday nightâs season opener in Russell losers of three straight against the Broncos and they hadnât scored on offensive touchdown in the last two games against the Broncos.
After all was said and done Friday, the Monarchs offense was still without a touchdown against Russell, no three straight games, but they ended the more important streak, the three-game losing streak with a 7-6 victory.
After the Monarchs forced the Broncos into a punt on their first possession and a short punt, TMP took over at the Russell 22-yard line. They would drive inside the three-yard line only to turn it over on downs.
The Monarchs would force Russell offense into back-to-back turnover on downs and both times get the ball inside the redzone only to fumble the ball in the endzone resulting in a touchback both times.
The first half ended in a 0-0 tie.
The third quarter saw neither team able to get their offense going in the third until Walker Middleton broke free for an 85-yard touchdown with just over one minute and 35 second to play but Russell missed an extra point for a 6-0 lead.
TMPâs Logan Baalmann answered right back, returning the ensuing kickoff 73 yards for the touchdown and Carson Liles added the extra point putting TMP up 7-6 with one minute and 23 second left in the third quarter.
TMP forced Russell into a pair of fourth quarter touchdowns and held on for the 7-6 victory.
Carson Liles finished 11-of-14 passing for 139 yards. Isaac Purinton hauled in 4catches for 39 yards.
Baalmann recorded his first career sack and interception on defense to go along with the special teams touchdown.
TMP ends their three-game losing streak against Russell and opens the year 1-0 and 1-0 in the MCL.
The Monarchs will host Norton in their home opener in week two.