Marion victorious over Bennington in homecoming contest

The Marion Warriors extended their season-opening win streak to three games, defeating Bennington, 35-20, on homecoming night in Marion.

Despite the two-score win, Marion coach Grant Thierolf thought his team played ?flat.?

For the second straight contest, the Warriors gave up an early touchdown run. The 46-yard scamper by running back Brian Gellinger on Benning?ton?s second play from scrimmage was the first points for the Bulldogs in 2010.

Following a failed 2-point conversion, Bennington led 6-0 with 11:34 in the first quarter.

?After the first two plays, we tightened up a little bit more,? Thierolf said. ?That?s two weeks in a row we?ve given up a touchdown on the second play. We have to do a better job of identifying our strengths as coaches.?

Marion quickly answered, scoring in two plays on its first possession. Senior running back Les Riggs rumbled 42-yards to the 14-yard line, setting up quarterback Dillon Rich?mond for a 14-yard touchdown run the next play.

Following the failed 2-point conversion, Marion tied the game 6-6 with 11:11 to play in the opening quarter.

After a two-and-out in which Bennington lost second down due to an illegal-formation call, Marion executed a 13-play, 62-yard scoring drive with Riggs scoring both the 1-yard touchdown and a 2-point conversion for a 14-6 lead with 2:44 left in the quarter.

After a Bennington turnover on the kickoff, Marion scored its third touchdown before the end of the first quarter.

Bennington?s Heath Thorn?hill had the ball slip from his hands and Marion pounced on it at the 33-yard line.

Three plays later, newly crowned homecoming king Randy Regnier found the end zone on an 18-yard sweep. Dillon Richmond ran in the 2-point conversion to extend the lead to 22-6 with 1:29 left.

?Our line was blocking great,? Regnier said. ?A big hole opened up.?

Marion?s next score also came off a Bulldog turnover. Two plays after Marion?s kickoff, Bennington fumbled the ball away at its own 26-yard line.

Using 3:01 off the game clock before reaching the end zone, Marion covered the 26 yards in eight plays. Riggs capped the drive with a 5-yard touchdown run. After a failed extra-point kick, Marion led 28-6 with 10:15 to play in the first half.

Marion scored its final points with 6:45 left when Richmond completed a 20-yard scoring pass to Eric Regnier on fourth-and-7, giving Marion a 35-6 advantage.

Before the half ended, Ben?nington cut Marion?s lead to 35-14 after a long pass from quar?terback from Zach Fief to Gellinger set up Gellinger?s 1-yard scoring run with 1:25 left.

Bennington scored the final oints of the game when Gellinger broke free for a 63-yard touchdown run for the final 35-20 margin.

Marion picked up 311 yards on 52 plays?291 yards coming on the ground. Riggs led Marion with 157 yards on 25 carries. Regnier finished with eight carries for 55 yard.

Richmond completed five passes for 20 yards and ran the ball eight times for 51 yards.

Coming?Marion (3-0, 2-0) travels to Moundridge (0-3, 0-3) Friday.

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