Warriors go aireborne, keep Cardinals grounded
Sports reporter
Hoisington High School coaching staff no doubt watched the film of Marion quarterback Josh Kelsey running for 244 yards and passing for zero two weeks ago against Ellinwood.
They must have been scratching their heads Friday night.
Adamant about keeping Kelsey in check on the ground, the Cardinals forgot he can throw the ball, too.
Kelsey completed five of 12 passes for 124 yards and three touchdowns to senior wideout Josh Smith, as Marion defeated the Cardinals, 25-7.
The victory assured at least a tie for the mid-division Mid-Central Activities Association championship.
"Our pass protection was a whole lot better," said Marion coach Grant Thierolf. "I think Josh [Kelsey] started to show a little bit of what he can do as far as throwing the ball."
Kelsey and Smith let the ground game do the talking early on. After the teams traded punts, Marion took over at Hoisington 37 yard line.
Junior Casey Nelson pounded his way to the Cardinal five yard line with a few nice runs. After a Marion penalty and another Nelson two-yard run, the Warriors had third-and-goal at the eight.
With three receivers lined up on the left side Kelsey dropped back and fired a laser to Smith, who was lined up on the right side, for an eight-yard touchdown.
The extra point was blocked, but Marion had the lead, 6-0.
After forcing another punt, the Warriors got on the scoreboard again.
This time it was a 95-yard drive, capped off by a three-yard score by Nelson. But it was the passing game that orchestrated the drive.
Facing a third-and-seven on his own 21 yard line, Kelsey completed a 12-yard pass to Smith. After a 13-yard run, he then connected with junior Jeff Richmond.
As the receiver streaked down the sideline Kelsey launched a high arching bomb that Richmond caught in stride at the 25. He was brought down from behind at the four, but the play ignited the crowd and led to the Nelson score.
"We challenged our wide receivers and our slot backs to start really picking up their part of the offense," Thierolf said. "And I think they responded really well tonight."
On Hoisington's next possession, the Cardinals decided to let Marion know they weren't rolling over just yet.
A good kick return set Hoisington up with a first-and-10 on the Warrior 47 yard line. After Nelson hit Cardinal running back LaRon Lyons in the backfield for a loss, Hoisington followed Marion's game plan on the next play.
Quarterback Jake Deutsch hit Trevor Bieberle for a 54-yard passing score. The extra point was good, and Marion's lead was cut to 12-7 with 6:32 remaining until halftime.
Hoisington then forced another Marion punt, and looked to take the lead just before the half ended. The Warriors squashed those plans with a sack to force another punt.
Taking over on their own 44, Marion turned to Nelson again. Two long runs set up the Warriors on the Cardinals' 34 yard line.
With under a minute to play, the Warriors knew they had to get in the endzone quick. So, Kelsey dropped back and lofted a pass that Smith caught sliding into the enzone. The two-point attempt was no good, but Marion had an 18-7 lead at the break.
The second half featured great defense from Marion, and one more connection from Kelsey to Smith.
After stopping Hoisington twice, Marion got the ball back deep in their own territory at the 23. Nelson and Kelsey continued to grind out tough yards down to the Cardinal 23.
From there Smith had his third and final touchdown, another diving play in the back of the endzone. Smith managed to drag one foot in, as Kelsey placed the ball just passed the out-stretched hands of two Cardinal defenders.
Smith finished with four catches for 76 yards and three touchdowns.
"If you look at our last games throwing the ball, we were 4-9 for thirty yards," Thierolf said. "So I'm sure they didn't think that we were going to throw the ball effectively."
But they did just that. The Warriors also ran the ball well. Nelson finished with 129 yards, and Kelsey added 73.
Neither team allowed a point in the fourth quarter, as Marion continued its second half dominance. The Warriors have now outscored their opponents 67-14 after halftime.
The defense sacked Deustch five times and Richmond added two interceptions to give him four on the season. It did give up 128 yards passing, but only 47 rushing.
"I thought our kids were pretty physical tonight and tackled pretty well," Thierolf said.
He told the team the league title is something to be proud of.
"We told them they ought to be happy about it because it's an important achievement the first year in the league," Thierolf said. "But at the same time we've gotten to the point where we love league championships, but we really like winning district."
The Warriors play their first district game of the season Friday against undefeated Southeast of Saline.
Thierolf will be across the sideline from a familiar face.
"Pat Haxton and I our great friends," he said. "I love coaching against Pat."
But he also knows it won't be an easy task.
"They are just a very well balanced football team," Thierolf said. "It will be a great game next Friday night."
