Monarchs fall in season finale
Published on -10/30/2009, 12:04 PM
Printer-friendly version
E-Mail This Story
By RANDY GONZALES
RUSSELL -- The Thomas More Prep-Marian football team has had trouble stopping the run this season, with opponents getting big play after big play.
Thursday night's season finale was no exception.
Russell had a pair of backs get more than 100 yards on the ground in a 38-15 win over TMP-Marian in Class 3A, District 14 action. Beloit (7-2 overall, 3-0 district) won the district title with a 36-0 win over Phillipsburg (5-4, 2-1).
After winning their season opener, the Monarchs lost their last eight games of the season.
"Sure hate to see the seniors go out like that," Flax said.
On a cold and wet night on a muddy field, Russell (4-5, 1-2) relied on its wishbone attack to move the ball. Junior halfback Ryan Zachman rushed for 195 yards on 26 carries and scored three touchdowns and senior fullback Brady Stoppel added 102 yards on 18 carries and one TD.
"It's been the story all year," Flax said. "We've had trouble stopping the power running game."
But it was TMP-Marian (1-8, 0-3) that got on the scoreboard first. Scoring just their second touchdown in the first quarter all season, the Monarchs needed 10 plays to go 69 yards for a score on their first possession. Sophomore quarterback Nick Hammeke hit senior wideout Jacob VonLintel for a 10-yard TD pass with 7:29 left in the first quarter. The big play in the drive was the first, a 24-yard connection from Hammeke to VonLintel.
The Monarchs' 7-0 lead didn't last long. After Russell recovered an onside kick, the Broncos marched 52 yards in 10 plays -- all runs -- capped by Zachman's TD run from 3 yards out. Senior backup quarterback Tyson Schmidtberger ran in the 2-point conversion to give Russell an 8-7 lead with 2:58 left in the first.
Zachman scored from 41 yards out on the first play of the second quarter to give Russell a 14-7 lead, then the Broncos scored again just before halftime. On fourth-and-3 from the Monarch 17, Stoppel made a tackle-breaking run into the end zone with 13.7 seconds left for a 22-7 lead after Zachman ran in the 2-point conversion.
Schmidtberger scored from a yard out and sophomore Nash Karst scored on the 2-point conversion to give Russell a 30-7 lead after three quarters.
Hammeke hooked up with VonLintel again in the fourth quarter for another score, this time from 5 yards out, to make it 30-15 after junior Nathan Zimmerman's 2-point conversion.
"Good to see he goes out with a couple touchdown catches," Flax said of VonLintel.
Russell scored again with 6:08 left for the final margin, on a 50-yard run by Zachman. Junior tight end Brady Ruggles caught the 2-point pass from Schmidtberger.
Russell attempted a 45-yard field goal by senior Nick Turner with 2:05 left in the game. It fell well short.
Hammeke finished 13-of-22 passing for 122 yards, with two TDs and no interceptions. VonLintel had seven catches for 81 yards and the two scores. Senior fullback Andrew Allen added 48 yards rushing on 14 carries in his final game.
"Disappointing; not the type of season we envisioned for them," Flax said of his seniors.
Flax said the team has some good players returning; he just needs more of them.
"We've got a good nucleus coming back next year," Flax said. "Got to get bigger, faster, stronger.
"We've got to get the numbers out," he added.
This Comment section is horrible for the community of Hays, HDN needs to look at removing it, other communities our talking about what a sorry place, we look like a town that just trashes anyone we want
(Posted by: Hays Resident)
Fed Up: 10/31/2009
You are either on the coaching staff or you are a direct family member. There is no way anyone can give the current staff a pass on what they put together this fall. TMP and SC dont have any business in the same sentence when it comes to football. If the administration doenst step in now, there will be even fewer kids out next year. I am sure Dewitt knows of someone back east that would be interested. If not, I bet Teeter would like to come back to Hays
(Posted by: Monarch)
: 10/30/2009
We report, you decide: 9 wins and 45 losses during the past six seasons. Average score during that time is 11 - 38.
(Posted by: WDH)
enough already: 10/30/2009
I'm tired of these parents or alumni commenting about coaches. Most (not all) coaches care deeply about the game, the kids, and the school they represent. You don't think coaches care about a poor season? Coach Barta in Smith Center has always said he doesn't even mention winning. He waits until the kids are5-10 years removed from high school before he considers whether or not it was a successful season.
(Posted by: fed up)
: 10/30/2009
"We've got to get the numbers out," Don't you get it Gene, no one wants to play for you!!
(Posted by: TMP Alum)
COMMENT ON THIS STORY
All comments are subject to approval before being posted. Please keep comments constructive and relevant. Opinions certainly can be expressed, but comments that are rude, abusive, slanderous, threatening, sexually oriented, contain profanity or are vulgar will not be tolerated. Comments will not be edited. Any comment that violates the above-listed rules will be deleted.
