HALSTEAD, KS - Led by Adam Janzen’s three rushing touchdowns, the visiting Marion Warrior’s knocked off the Dragons of Halstead 27-0 to open district play.
Marion (6-1, 1-0) fumbled deep in its own territory on its opening drive, giving Halstead (3-4, 0-1) the ball in the red zone with a chance to draw first blood. Halstead got as close as the 3 yard line, but had to settle for a field goal attempt. The kick was wide, and Marion dodged a bullet.
“Marion is a very good team. When the other team gives you a gift you need to take advantage of it. We didn’t," Halstead coach Marc Svaty said. "It was a big difference in the game as far as momentum and taking care of the little things."
From then on the Warriors began to take control. They marched the ball down the field methodically and scored to cap an 80-yard drive to take the lead 7-0 on an Adam Janzen 1-yard touchdown run.
Halstead answered with a promising drive of its own, but a fumble in the red zone was recovered by Marion. Twice in the red zone and twice turned away, Halstead struggled to find consistency for the rest of the night.
Marion’s offense was led by option quarterback Taylor Heidebrecht and junior running backs Janzen and Trevor Kruse. Heidebrecht had 45 yards on nine carries, while Janzen and Kruse did the rest of the work on the ground.
Janzen led the rushing attack for the Warriors going for 114 yards on 23 carries and three touchdowns. Kruse also made a big impact carrying the ball three times for 72 yards, but his big run came early in the second quarter on a 66-yard scamper to the end zone.
“I’ve got some good offensive lineman, I ran hard and coach told me to lower my shoulder and pound the ball,” Janzen said.
Marion coach Grant Thierolf knew early in the day that his offensive scheme would have to be mainly a rushing attack, as snow fell throughout the day in the Kansas skies. Temperatures in the mid 30s and wet and damp ground caused some fumbles, but overall the Warriors offense prevailed.
Marion's defense did its job by shutting out the Dragons offense, led by sophomore quarterback Blake Beckett who ran for 158 yards on 23 carries.
“Halstead is a very young team, they will have a great future,” Thierolf said.
Marion will host its rival Hillsboro next Friday, while Halstead will travel to Moundridge.
Marion 7 14 0 6--- 27
Halstead 0 0 0 0--- 0
M--Janzen 1 run (Case kick)
M--Kruse 66 run (Case kick)
M--Janzen 4 run (Case kick)
M--Janzen 2 run (kick failed)
Rushing--Halstead: Beckett 28-158, Myers 2-8, team 1-3. Marion: Janzen 23-114, Kruse 3-72, Williams 4-59, Heidebrecht 9-45, Jones 1-21, Robson 5-6
Passing--Halstead: Beckett 9-28 102 2INT. Marion: Heidebrecht 1-7 20
