HAYS – The TMP-Marian Monarchs racked up more than 300 yards rushing for a second straight was on their way to a 35-0 win over the Ellis Railroaders Friday night at Lewis Field in Hays.
TMP could not ask for a better start to the game when freshman defensive back Carson Liles intercepted the Ellis quarterback on the first play of the game setting TMP up at their own 47 yard line.
It took the Monarchs just two plays to cover 53 yards and go up 7-0 thanks to a 44 yard touchdown from Griffin Schumacher.
On their second possession of the game Ellis turned the ball over on downs at their own 34 yard line.
The Monarchs had back-to-back false starts moving the ball to the 44 yard line and on the first play of the drive Kade Harris scored from 44 yards out putting TMP up 14-0 with more than eight minutes left in the first quarter.
Harris added the second of his three touchdowns in the first half on a three-yard run that capped off an eight-play drive with 2:54 left in the first quarter for a 21-0 TMP lead.
Leading 21-0 with just over seven minutes left in the first half TMP was faced with a fourth and 21 from the TMP 49 yard line when Harris picked his way through the Ellis defense for a 51 touchdown run giving TMP a 28-0 lead.
TMP’s final score of the first half was a 74 yard touchdown run from Schumacher of the first play of the drive with just under 3:30 left in the second quarter.
TMP built a 35-0 first half lead and went on to win by that score holding Ellis scoreless for the second straight meeting.
TMP has also now won six straight against their MCL rivals and start the year 2-0 for the first time since 2011.
Harris finished with three touchdowns and 125 rushing yards. Schumacher crossed the century mark for the second week in-a-row with 132 yards and two touchdowns. The Monarchs as a team outgained Ellis 336 to 165.
The Monarchs will face Plainville next week.