By Jeremy McGuire
Hays Post

RUSSELL, Kan.-The TMP Monarchs scored 20 unanswered first quarter points and didn’t look back on their way to a 33-14 win over Russell in the second week of 3A-District 14 play.  The Monarchs scored touchdowns on their first three possessions of the game.  Russell began the game with the ball and failed to convert on a fourth and short and gave the ball to TMP on the Bronco 41 yard line.

TMP’s offense took over from there as Creighton Renz hauled in a 13 yard pass from Luke Ruder to give TMP a 7-0 following the extra point.  The Monarchs had the ball back a short time later and scored on a 74 yard pass from Ruder to Tate Garcia.  Late in the first quarter Russell had the ball in TMP territory and attempted a fake punt run and Seth Boxberger failed to make the first down and was injured on the play and laid field for quite some time.

TMP took possession of the ball and the very next play made Russell pay with a 66 yard Gavin Schumacher touchdown run.  Russell would put up the only points in the second quarter when quarterback Alex Windholz powered into the end zone from 5 yards out to make things interesting at the half.  TMP was able to add 13 second half points while Russell scored seven and the Monarchs held on for the 19 point win.

With the win TMP improves to 2-6 on the year but more importantly 1-1 in district play and sets up a match-up with Norton on Thursday night where the winner heads to the playoffs and the loser goes home.  Russell drops to 2-6 overall and 0-2 in district play.  The Broncos will finish their season in Phillipsburg on Thursday night.

JASON CAULEY POST-GAME

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