By: NICOLAS FIERRO
Salina Post
The Sacred Heart Knights end their season after falling short to a close game against the Marion Warriors in the 1st round of the 2025 Kansas High School Football playoffs.
The last time these two teams met was last season where the Warriors defeated the Knights 70-31 in the 1st round of playoffs. This time around, the Knights were seeking to turn that around.
The Warriors' defense were able to stop the Knights' first offensive drive, forcing a punt. The special teams of the Warriors however, blocked the punt from the Knights, taking the ball over in great field position on the 22-yard line.
The Warriors then capitalized and scored a 1-yard rushing TD by Jameson Looper. The Knights prevented a successful 2-pt conversion, bringing the score 6-0.
After another defensive stop, the Warriors scored again with a 10-yard rushing TD by Wyatt Soyez and a successful 2-pt conversion, bringing the score 14-0.
Heading into the 2nd quarter, the Knights defense stopped the Warriors on a couple of offensive drives and leading them to score their first points of the game.
Dom Matteucci ran a 9-yard rushing TD, after a big 42-yard rush from Maddox Wells, bringing the score 14-6.
After the half, the Knights started with the football and moved down the field very well. However, as they got closer to the endzone, Wells gave up an interception to Isaac Wesner.
The Warriors did not capitalize after the turnover, as the Knights defense forced a fumble and recovering it on their own 8-yard line.
Going into the 4th quarter, Wells opened the drive with a 35-yard pass to Noah Hines. Shortly afterwards, Wells completes another deep ball to Hines for 34-yards moving towards the 4-yard line in Warrior territory.
Matteucci then decreased the Warrior lead to two, after a 3-yard rushing TD, bringing the score 14-12.
On the very next offensive possession, the Warriors responded with a rushing TD of their own as Soyez converted one for 24-yards, bringing the Warrior lead to 20-12.
Final score: Marion 20 , Sacred Heart 12
The Knights finished the 2025 season with an overall record of 5-4, first time since 2013 to finish with a winning record.
Sacred Heart stats and key players
Dom Matteucci: 2 rushing TDs, 75 all-purpose yards
Maddox Wells: 209 all-purpose yards
Noah Hines: 87 receiving yards
Marion stats and key players
Jameson Looper: 1 rushing TD, 117 yards, 1 sack
Wyatt Soyez: 2 rushing TDs, 99 yards
Carson Krause: 83 all-purpose yards
Isaac Wesner: 1 INT, 16 receiving yards
Watch the full game below: