Marion was in the ball game until the end, but the Warriors failed to convert opportunities in the red zone, leaving them with a 34-21 loss to a powerful Southeast of Saline team.
Marion was tied with SES at the end of the first quarter, 7-7, and drew ahead, 14-7, in the second, thanks to a James Jones pass play and a Cole Lewman run for a touchdown.
But the Trojans came back to take 19-14 lead by halftime. Both teams traded scores in the third quarter and Marion trailed by only six points at the beginning of the fourth, 27-21. But the Warriors could not cash in red zone opportunities in the fourth quarter and SES scored again to secure the 34-21 win.
The win puts Marion at 1-1 in district play and ensures a intra-county match-up Thursday as the Warriors take on Hillsboro with a chance to advance to the state playoffs.
