The Marion football team lost a 22-12 contest at Ell-Saline Friday.
After a scoreless first quarter that ended with the Marion offense on the move, the Warriors put the first points on the board when Jack Schneider connected with Mason Pedersen for an 8-yard touchdown pass, capping a nine-play, 68-yard drive. Schneider?s two-point conversion attempt failed, giving Marion a 6-0 lead with 10:25 left in the first half.
Despite recovering a Cardinal fumble on the kickoff return, Marion turned the ball over on downs, and Ell-Saline put together a seven-play scoring drive, taking the lead with a 27-yard touchdown run by Cody Walters. Quarterback Louie Arceo added the two-point conversion for an 8-6 Cardinal lead at the 5:07 mark.
After Marion went three-and-out, Ell-Saline scored once more before the break. Five plays into the drive, Arceo broke loose for a 73-yard touchdown scamper up the middle. The two-point conversion made it 16-6, a margin that held to halftime.
The Warriors were forced to punt on the opening drive of the second half, and Ell-Saline responded with its final scoring drive. A 37-yard run by Garrett Jacobson set up a touchdown run by Arceo, who found daylight around the right side for a 54-yard score. The two-point conversion attempt failed, boosting Ell-Saline?s lead to 22-6 with 6:41 left in the third quarter.
Marion managed one final scoring drive, covering 70 yards in 12 plays and scoring on a 7-yard run by Adam Janzen. The two-point conversion attempt failed, putting the score at the final, 22-12 margin with 8:50 left in the game. From there, the Marion defense came up with a stop, but Schneider was intercepted on the third play from scrimmage, allowing Ell-Saline to absorb the final 3:39.
The Warriors tallied 173 yards of total offense. Marion had 138 yards rushing, led by Schneider with 11 carries for 78 yards. In the passing game, Schneider was 5-for-12 for 35 yards and a touchdown.
Ell-Saline, meanwhile, had 453 yards of total offense, including 411 yards rushing. Three Cardinals surpassed the century-mark, led by Arceo with 15 carries for 169 yards and two scores. Arceo completed four of 11 pass attempts for 42 yards.
Coming?Marion (2-2) will host Chase County (1-3) Friday at 7 p.m. to kick off district play. Chase County enters the contest after a 39-12 loss to Lyndon.
For scores and updates during football games, follow Janae on Twitter @janaerem13
