LAKIN ā The TMP-Marian Monarchs shrugged off a slow start in route to a huge win over the Lakin Broncs Friday night as they clinched their first district title since 2002 with a 46-14 win.
TMP coach Jay Harris
On just the third offensive play of the game the Monarchs fumbled the center-quarterback exchange that gave Lakin the ball deep in TMP territory. To make matters worse the Monarchs were offsides and the first play on defense giving Lakin the ball at the TMP 37-yard line.
The Broncs wasted no time driving down the field in just three plays and taking the lead on a five-yard touchdown run. They added the two-point conversion and led 8-0 just about two and a half minutes into the contest.
TMPās all-league return man Kade Harris got TMP on the board when he returned the ensuing kickoff 75 yards to cut Lakinās lead to 8-7 after the extra-point.
On the next possession Lakin turned it over on downs and midfield and that set up Harrisā first of four touchdown passes on the night. This one from 18 yards out to Andrew Schwartz.
With TMP lead 13-7 early in the second quarter Harris again found Schwartz on a 71-yard touchdown pass that put TMP up 20-7.
A little more than two minutes later Harris scored on a 10-yard run as TMP took a 26-7 lead.
On their first offensive play following the touchdown Lakin scored on a 80-yard halfback pass to cut the deficit to 26-14.
Harris threw his third first-half touchdown on the next drive to Jace Wentling, his fifth in three weeks giving TMP a 33-14 lead.
Late in the first-half with Lakin driving again the Broncs running back Allen Martinez fumbled and Schwartz picked it up and returned it 53 yards for the touchdown. It was his second defense touchdown of the second and the teamās fourth.
TMP led 40-14 at the halftime break.
Harris added his fourth and final touchdown pass of the game in the third quarter, a 41-yard shovel pass that put TMP on top 46-14.
Game highlights
Harris finished 7-of-9 passing for a career-high 263 yards and four touchdowns.
Schwartz had 89 receiving yards on two touchdown receptions. Mark Rack also collected of pair of receptions for 65 yards.
Lakinās Allen Martinez tallied 165 yards on 27 carries.
With the win TMP clinches their first district title since 2002 and will host Beloit next Friday night in the first round of the 2A playoffs.
The 7-1 record matches their best start and their first seven-game win streak since 1988.