By ELIOT SILL

Staff writer

The Marion Warriors are starting to look like the class of their district. Another win in district play — this one a 46-6 spanking of Northern Heights — brings the Warriors’ record to 4-2 and 2-0 in the district.

It hasn’t been the wins, though, so much as it’s been how the Warriors have been winning. Through two games, Marion’s aggregate score is 96-18 vs. district opponents.

With Jack Schneider recovering from a shoulder injury, senior Jacob Baldwin started for the first time this year. Two of Baldwin’s three passes were completed, both for touchdowns. He added 158 rushing yards on 15 carries.

“He can do this every time,” head coach Grant Thierolf said. “He also gives us a great tight end. We’re blessed to have somebody so versatile.”

In short, the offense was firing on all cylinders. No group went uncredited by head coach Grant Thierolf after the game.

“I was very pleased with offensive line for most part, running backs ran hard, we had some great downfield blocking by receivers at times,” he said. “It was a fun night.”

If Friday night was about fun, Adam Janzen was the life of the party. He again rampaged through the defense to the tune of 208 yards and four touchdowns, including a 46-yard run on the first possession of the game for Marion. Baldwin added the conversion for an 8-0 Marion lead.

Northern Heights answered back with a 55-yard run of its own, bringing the game to 8-6. And that was pretty well it for the Wildcats.

The rain cooled the night air, making temperatures in the low-50s feel even lower. Marion used a steady stream of touchdowns and tackles to keep warm.

Janzen and Baldwin handled most of the workload. Baldwin’s two touchdown passes were a 14-yarder to freshman Corbin Wheeler and a 49-yarder to senior Brad Stone.

Marion also had its first safety of the season following a blocked punt.

Defensively, Marion was sound, not getting turnovers off Northern Heights mistakes, but holding the Wildcats to just 1-of-11 on third down. Marion backed that up with 1-of-5 on fourth down. Marion’s only turnover, a Stone interception, was made after the game was out of reach. Neither team scored in the fourth quarter. Northern Heights’ six points were the fewest Marion has allowed this season.

Marion will take a break from district play to face another challenging opponent in Meade. Meade is four hours away from Marion, and Thierolf said it would be a collegiate type travel day for them, albeit not necessarily a welcome one. Marion will not have school Friday.

“I don’t know if anybody’s looking forward to the drive, but it’s gonna be a good opportunity for us,” Thierolf said.

Meade is No. 1 in the 2A rankings, according to CatchItKansas.com. The game will start at 6 p.m., an hour earlier than Marion’s other games to this point.