HAYS – The TMP-Marian defense collected it fourth shutout in-a-row and the Monarchs passing game showed up in a big way as they knocked off the Southwestern Heights Mustangs 41-0 Friday at Lewis Field in Hays.
Both teams got off to a slow start with a scoreless first quarter but just three plays into the second quarter the Monarchs offense found its rhythm, capping off an eight-play, 56-yard drive with a three-yard Bryce Seib touchdown to put TMP up 7-0.
Seib scored three touchdowns for the second time in three weeks for TMP.
Leading 7-0 with just under two-minutes left in the first half TMP’s Kade Harris found Jace Wentling for an 18-yard pitch and catch to put TMP up 14-0.
Two plays later Andrew Schwartz record his second interception of the season to set TMP up at the Mustangs 38-yard line. After a bad snap Harris found Schwartz for a 55-yard score that made it 20-0 TMP.
Out of the halftime break Seib capped off a seven-play 50-yard drive with a three-yard run to make it 27-0. Seib his third rushing touchdown less than five minutes later putting TMP up 34-0.
The final score came just five second into the fourth quarter on a nine-yard Lance Lang touchdown run to put TMP up 41-0.
TMP’s Kade Harris threw for 241 yards and two touchdowns. Jace Wentling hauled in a career-high eight catches for 121 yards.
Unofficially the Monarchs tallied 404 total yards with 163 coming on the ground. Seib had 63 rushing yards.
TMP held Southwestern Heights to just 141 total yards. 58 yards came on one play at the end of the first half.
No TMP team since 1970 has tallied four straight shutouts and it’s the most in a season since the 1982 team recorded six shutouts.
TMP improves to 5-1 overall and 3-0 in 2A district number seven. They will travel to take on Cimarron Friday night. The Bluejays are also 5-1 overall and 3-0 in the district.