Staff writer
The Marion High School football team traveled 2½-hours and dealt with multiple lightning delays before its 53-12 win Friday at Horton. The game’s second half did not even begin until 10 p.m.
Head coach Grant Thierolf credited senior players with keeping the team focused.
“We’ve done that type of game before,” Thierolf said. “I think the familiarity makes a whole lot of a difference.”
The team had gotten through its warm-ups and pre-game introductions before the first postponement. The game began around 8:15 p.m.
Quarterback Taylor Heidebrecht scored the game’s first points on a 55-yard touchdown run, which was matched by a 45-yard passing play by Horton quarterback Derrick Stone to Dakota Bayles.
After a second delay, both teams traded touchdowns again to end the first quarter.
The rest of the game went the Warriors’ way, as they shut out Horton from the second quarter on.
Thierolf said the Marion defense has been playing well together.
“Except for a couple plays, the defense played well again,” Thierolf said. “We ran to the ball well, and did the things we thought we had to do.”
The Warriors only attempted four passes on the day, while running for 390 yards.
Heidebrecht averaged 31 yards on five carries, running for 156 yards. Fullback Adam Janzen added 194 yards on 26 carries and 3 touchdowns.
Heidebrecht and running back Caleb Williams ran for two scores, respectively.
“It was just a good overall night playing a team we’re not used to playing with,” Thierolf said. “The people from Horton treated us really well.”
The Warriors play their last regular season game next against Trinity Catholic of Hutchinson at 7 p.m. Friday at home.