By JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT
Hays Post
NORTON – The TMP-Marian Monarchs season came to an end Friday night in the second round of the 2A playoffs with an 18-6 loss to the Norton Bluejays at Travis Field in Norton.
The Monarchs (5-5) started the game with the football and opened with a solid drive that got all the way to the Norton 26 yard-line but the drive stalled and TMP gave the ball to Norton on a turnover on downs.
Norton (10-0) wasted little time, scoring in just four plays when quarterback Eli Jones busted free for a 46-yard touchdown run to put Norton up 6-0.
After a TMP punt, Norton drove right back down the field and capped off a 12-play drive with an eight-yard touchdown run for a 12-0 lead with just over seven minutes to play in the first half.
TMP finally broke onto the scoreboard with just under five minutes left in the first half when, on fourth and one, TMP’s Peyton Schwartz broke free for a 33 yard touchdown that cut the Norton lead in half at 12-6.
After both teams turned it over on an interception the first half came to an end with Norton leading 12-6.
In the second half both teams settled in defensively with the Monarchs forcing Norton into a punt and turnover on downs on their first two offensive possessions of the second half.
TMP punted on the first drive of the second half and then after driving inside the Norton 20 yard-line, TMP turned it over on an interception.
Norton was able to take advantage with a 14-play drive that ended with the second rushing touchdown of the night for Jones.
TMP tried to put together one last comeback effort but an interception ended the Monarchs threat and Norton ran out the clock for an 18-6 victory.
Norton’s Eli Jones finished with 164 rushing yards and two touchdowns in the victory. Norton outgained TMP 300 to 161 total yards.
TMP’s Griffin Schumacher was 9-18 passing for 98 yards and three interceptions.
The win is the ninth straight for Norton over TMP.