Despite a 21-14 loss Friday to 2-0 Wichita Collegiate, defense and a balanced running game continued to be integral parts of the Marion Warrior team.
However, on this day the team added a new dimension.
Senior Drew Maddox wowed the Warrior crowd with a 95-yard kick return for a touchdown in the close loss. He completed his all-around game with 44 yards on five carriers, one catch for 22 yards, and an interception.
“Drew ran the ball very well for us,” MHS head coach Grant Thierolf said. “He has worked hard to become better at his job and it shows.”
Maddox’s return tied the game at seven in the second quarter, but Collegiate regained the lead later in the quarter on a 10-yard run by quarterback Blake Jablonski.
MHS quarterback Matt Sprowls tied the game again at 14 with 10:45 left in the fourth with a 1-yard run. The first-year starter had 13 yards on the ground during the game. Collegiate eventually won the game in the final quarter with a 25-yard touchdown run.
The Warriors were over the century mark on the ground with 107 yards, but Thierolf expects more from his experienced running backs.
“The problem was that we could not establish anything offensively during the first half,” the 22 year veteran coach said. “Their defensive line stalemated us every play and the thing that bothers us is that our offensive line is better than that.”
However, the defense kept Marion in the game by holding the Spartans to just 128 yards on the ground. They did yield 282 yards through the air, but also picked off Jablonski three times. Dillon Richmond and Colten Johnson intercepted passes along with Maddox.
Thierolf was proud of his defense.
“Our defense did not give up the big play for most of the night and we played pretty hard,” he said. “Eric Vogel did a great job of putting pressure on the QB and to have three interceptions against a solid team like that is pretty good.”
Along with the interceptions, Johnson, Mitch Cady, Abe Eldridge, and Vogel each had a pass break. Defensive back Randy Carlson led the team with 11 tackles while Vogel had 10 total, and Connor Thierolf and Tylor Neil each had eight.
Coach Thierolf said his team will be ready Friday when they head to Nickerson.
“We need to play tougher and more physical and we will take care of that this week in practice,” he said.