Warriors overrun by SE Saline
Sports reporter
It started off bad and didn't get much better. Marion High School lost its second game of the season Friday and first in district play to Southeast of Saline, 34-7.
Riding a four game league winning streak, MHS ran into an undefeated Trojans team that could do no wrong.
The Warriors started off with a three-and-out giving the ball to Southeast on its own 33. Trojan quarterback Justin Schropp completed four passes and ran all over the Warrior defense on the opening drive. It ended with fullback Matt Myers plowing into the end zone from two yards. The extra point was good and Southeast led 7-0.
Marion's next possession proved better than the first. On third-and-eight from his own 33, junior running back Casey Nelson picked up eight yards for a first down. However the drive stalled at mid-field and the Warriors were again forced to punt.
The Trojans had another impressive drive of passing and running the ball to plow through the Warrior defense. Schropp's 33-yard run on the first play of the drive set the tone, and running back Justin Dupes scored five plays later from 11 yards for a 14-0 lead.
The rest of the half proved more of the same as Marion punted on its next possession, and gave up another touchdown on defense. This time it was Myers again from one yard out.
Another Marion punt gave Southeast one more chance to score before halftime. It took advantage with a 10-play, 63-yard drive ending in a Schropp two-yard run. The extra point was blocked by sophomore Kyle Hett, but the Trojans led 26-0 at the half.
Once the second half was underway Southeast drove down again and scored on Myers' third touchdown run of the game from one yard out. But the Warrior defense began to step it up.
The Warriors forced three fumbles, recovered them all, and kept Southeast out of the end zone the rest of the game. The final score came from a Nelson five-yard run with just over seven minutes to play in the game.
Senior Tyson Heidebrecht made good on the extra point, and Southeast led 34-7. When the clock ran out the scoreboard read the same, and Marion fell to 0-1 in district play.
Nelson was the lone bright spot for Marion as he ran the ball 19 times for 89 yards and a touchdown.
The Warriors still have a chance to advance past district play as they travel Friday to Hillsboro to take on the 2-5 Trojans. Two of the four district teams advance, and a victory against Hillsboro would help Marion's chances. A loss would end any hope of advancing.
The loss drops the Warriors to 5-2 overall, as they remain 4-1 in league play. Marion still has a chance to win the Mid-Central Activities Association mid-division outright if Ellinwood loses one of its next two games. If that doesn't happen, Marion and Ellinwood will share the title.
