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Fourth quarter surge keeps Marion perfect

Sports reporter

The first series for both teams in Marion High School's 14-6 defeat Friday of the Lyons Lions summed up the entire first half.

After a late-hit penalty on the opening kickoff gave MHS a first-and-10 at the Lyons 38-yard line, the Warriors went 3-and-out, and the Lions started first-and-10 on their own seven.

Linebacker and MHS leading tackler Michael Brookens stuffed running back Keanan Kroetsch for negative yards on the Lions first two plays. An incomplete pass led to fourth down, and the punt-fest began.

Missed opportunities and strong defense plagued both offenses in the first half, as neither team found the end zone.

"It was indicative of the way we practiced all week," MHS head coach Grant Thierolf said. "They need to realize you have to be prepared to play every time you step out on the field."

Fortunately for the Warriors, running back Casey Nelson knew the fourth quarter and first half have nothing in common.

After giving up a 22-yard touchdown pass from Brett Higgins to Kevin Sechrist in the third quarter, Nelson and his offensive line woke up. The 2004 all-league back scored from seven and 27 yards out in the final quarter, to seal the Warriors fourth victory in as many games this season.

Thierolf and the coaching staff took Nelson out of his linebacker position in the second half, a rare sight for Warrior fans the past two seasons.

"We wanted to keep him fresh," Thierolf said. "He didn't want to come out, but we were trying to conserve him."

The move made the coaching staff look genius, after Nelson ran the ball seven times for 41 yards in an 11-play, 43-yard drive that resulted in the Warriors' first score. Two plays into the Warriors' next possession after a Lyons fumbled punt, the senior scored from 27 yards out.

The touchdown with four minutes, 22 seconds left in the game was a crushing blow to an offense that amassed just 107 yards in the entire game.

Still, Thierolf never gives up on a game, especially when the opposing team is playing in front of a homecoming crowd.

"They were motivated," Thierolf said.

Something he said his defense was not.

"At times we played with a lack of emotion," he said.

Still they held the Lions to just eight first downs, and 2.1 yards per play.

Sophomore Emmanuel Jackson recorded his team-leading second and third sacks, senior Adam Depler added a sack, and senior Russell Ploutz had his team-leading third interception of the season.

Thierolf still is confident his defense knows it can always play better.

"I just didn't think we played fast all night," he said.

Thierolf was pleased with the way his special teams played, especially senior Jeremy Vondenkamp.

Vondenkamp blocked a punt, and booted four punts of his own at an average of 38.5 yards per kick, including a 58-yarder in the second half to pin the Lions inside their own 10.

"He punted us out of some holes," Thierolf said of Vondenkamp. "I thought between Jeremy and Emmanuel Jackson covering the punts our special teams played very well."

Offensively, Nelson racked up 155 yards on 25 carries, and now leads the MCAA in rushing with 551 yards and has scored nine touchdowns on the season.

Quarterback Josh Kelsey had his first off game of the season completing just one-of-10 passes for four yards.

"That happens in the NFL, in college, at every level," Thierolf said. "We just can't be so one-dimensional."

The league victory gave MHS a 3-0 Mid-Central Activities Association, and 4-0 overall record. Marion's Oct. 7 opponent, Hoisington, also stands at 4-0.

But first Marion must take care of business Friday at 0-4 Ellinwood.

The Eagles finished tied for first in the central MCAA division with Marion one year ago, and reached the 3A state playoffs. Thierolf doesn't care about any of that, he just wants his team to be ready to play each and every opponent.

"We just have to prepare all week like a championship club prepares," Thierolf said.

After the road match-up with Ellinwood, the Warriors play three of their next four games at home.

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