By ADAM COULTER
Salina Post Contributor
Marion's Jameson Looper rushed for three touchdowns in the opening quarter against Sacred Heart Friday night in Salina and the Warriors never looked back in a 70-31 blowout.
Looper scored on carries of 49, 60, and 12 yards respectively and Lane Smith added all three two-point conversations as the Warriors led 24-0 at the end of the first quarter.
The Knights got on the scoreboard for the first time as Bryson Gotti hauled in a 14-yard touchdown reception at the 8:55 mark of the second quarter to make the score 24-6. The two-point conversation was no good.
Marion came back with its fourth touchdown and two-point conversation and extended the advantage to 32-6. Once again, Looper rushed for the touchdown and Smith added the two-point conversation.
Finally, with 4:01 remaining in the opening half, Maddox Wells found Noah Wells from nine yards out for the second Sacred Heart scoring play. The two-point conversation was, once again, unsuccessful and the Knights' deficit was 32-12 at halftime.
Despite the lopsided score, a shootout ensued in the third quarter as Marion began with possession of the ball and added to its lead. This time Smith ran for the touchdown and Looper added the two-point conversation to make the score 40-12.
Wells then threw for his third touchdown and Gotti caught his second pass for a score at the 5:45 mark. The 59-yard reception closed the gap to 40-18.
To close out the third quarter, Looper tacked on an additional two rushes for scores and Smith tacked on another pair of two-point conversations as the Warriors went ahead 56-18.
Smith also ran for his second touchdown making the score 62-18 heading into the fourth quarter.
Hines found the endzone at the
9:20 mark of the final period and Leon Rowe tacked on the PAT making the score 62-25.
One more touchdown by each team gave Marion an even 70 points and made the final score 70-31. Carson Lehman scored on a seven-yard run to close out the scoring for the Knights.
Sacred Heart finishes its season with a 3-5 overall record. Marion improves to 7-2 and will face the top-seeded team in the 1A west bracket in Conway Springs.