By Jeremy McGuire
Hays Post

TMP 21, Oakley 20

It had been a long time since the TMP Monarch football team tasted the sweet nectar of victory.  TMP’s last win was September 11, 2015 on the road in Ellis.  After 12 straight losses that streak has been erased following a thrilling 21-20 win in Oakley on Friday night.

Oakley started off the ballgame in impressive fashion with a 13 play, 81 yard drive capped off with a 1-yard touchdown run by Auston Holzmeister.  TMP would get the ball back and their ensuing drive would eventually stall forcing a Monarch punt.  Oakley was back on the attack but a fourth down interception by Creighton Renz halted the drive and was the beginning of a defensive battle.

The Monarch defense was not done.  TMP would get a second interception late in the second quarter by Joe Flax. The Monarchs would march 42 yards in 10 plays when Luke Ruder took the ball into the end zone from 9 yards out to tie the game at seven heading into halftime.

TMP started the third quarter with the ball and continued where they left off in the first half.  The Monarchs scored three minutes into the third quarter on Ruder’s second touchdown run of the night, this time from 16 yards out. They weren’t done scoring yet as three minutes later Gavin Schumacher streaked 87 yards to the house to give TMP a 21-7 lead midway through the third quarter.

Oakley would answer quickly.  Jace Ochs caught a Kendrick Smith pass in traffic and rumbled 38 yards for the score just a minute after TMP scored.  Neither team could crack the scoreboard the rest of the third quarter.

The drive of the game came from the Plainsmen as they drove 99 yards in 16 plays and scored on a 15 yard run from Smith with 35 seconds to go in the game.  Instead of going for the tie with the extra point kick, Oakley went for the win and they were shut down by the Monarch defense.

Schumacher finished with a career high 157 yards and a touchdown.  Ruder finished with 36 yards and two scores. TMP improves to 1-5 on the season and will host undefeated Phillipsburg to open up district play next week.

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GAME HIGHLIGHTS