SMITH CENTER – After a first quarter dominated by solid defense and mistakes on offense the Smith Center Redmen were able to wear down the TMP-Marian Monarchs and pick up a 34-0 win to open the season.

Jay Harris postgame interview

Game Highlights

Both teams defenses really shined in the opening quarter, TMP forced Smith Center into a pair of turnovers on downs deep inside TMP territory and both teams lost a fumble in that opening frame.

Smith Center was finally able to break the scoreless tie early in the second quarter when Colton Shoemaker capped off an eight-play 76-yard drive with a 31-yardtouchdown. It was the first of two first-half rushing touchdowns Shoemaker and Smith Center led 13-0 at the break.

TMP did threaten to score with inside a minute to play in that first-half after Kade Harris had a long kickoff return and a penalty set the Monarchs deep inside Smith Center territory but a desperate heave to the endzone by TMP quarterback Bryce Seib was picked off at the goal line to end the first half.

Smith Center found the endzone one more time in the third quarter on a 20-yard touchdown run by quarterback Trenton Colby to take a 20-0 lead. The Redmen added a pair of fourth quarter scores on their way to a 34-0 win.

Smith Center collected over 400 yards of total offense in the when while the Monarchs were held to under 140 yards.

The Monarchs turned it over five total times with two interceptions, a fumble and two turn over on downs. TMP also committed 12 penalties for 70 yards.

Kade Harris put up a team-high 50 yards rushing.

Smith Center’s Jaden Atwood rushed for 159 yards, 59 of those coming on a fourth quarter touchdown run. Shoemaker also crossed the century mark with 109 rushing yards.

Smith Center improves to 1-0 and will take on Norton next Friday night while TMP starts the season 0-1 and travels to Ellis.