The Thomas More Prep–Marian football team needed a win Thursday night in Goodland to make it to the playoffs for the first time since 2002, but it just wasn’t in the cards for the Monarchs losing 35-19.
Both Goodland and TMP were 1-1 in district play going into the game setting up a do or die game to be the runner up out of District 15 in Class 3A. The Cowboys (5-4) will travel to undefeated Scott City Tuesday night for the opening round of the playoffs.
The Monarchs fumbled the football twice on their first three possessions, and the Cowboys scored on their first three possessions. Just like that, the Herd was down 21-0 at the end of the first quarter.
TMP (5-4) figured things out in the second quarter, scoring two times with touchdown passes from senior Nick Hammeke. The first score went to senior Jacob Fouts, and the second thrown to junior Shane Zimmerman.
Fouts finished the game with five receptions breaking the school record for most receptions in a season. Fouts finished the season with 44 catches, edging out Nathan Zimmerman’s record of 43 set last year.
TMP only trailed by eight, 21-13, to begin the second half, but Goodland sophomore Dax Ruhs broke a 94-yard touchdown run on the Cowboys’ first play on offense to begin the third quarter. Ruhs punished the Monarchs all night with 16 carries, 249 yards, and three touchdowns.
Both teams would score one more time before the finish of the ballgame.
Unofficial numbers from Thursday’s contest:
Hammeke: 22 completions, 229 yards, 3 touchdowns. 20 carries, 87 yards.
Dylan Gottschalk: 14 carries, 47 yards.
Taylor Pfeifer: 6 receptions, 74 yards, 1 touchdown.
Shane Zimmerman: 5 receptions, 53 yards, 1 touchdown.
With his effort against Goodland, Hammeke finished the season with over 2,000 yards passing (2,068). Hammeke now owns just about every passing record in the book for TMP-Marian.
TMP will lose 13 seniors after this year and will have a realigned district next season. The Monarchs will play Russell, Scott City, and Hoisington in district play in 2012.
Coach’s Interview
Coach Borer Sound 10-27-11
Touchdown 1
TMP TD 1
Touchdown 2
TMP TD 2
Touchdown 3
TMP TD 3