On a blustery night in Hays, the normally pass happy Thomas More Prep Monarchs used their running game to come from behind against the Cimarron Bluejays in a 17-14 win.
Cimarron jumped out to an early lead after a TMP punt was caught by the wind and blown backwards, giving them great field position. Three plays later, the Jays would cash in with a Tyler Siek two-yard touchdown run to go up 7-0.
The Bluejays would stretch that lead to 14-0 after a Monarch fumble gave them the ball again. A short drive ended with a Alex Neuschafter touchdown run. It was 14-0 Cimarron after one quarter and still 14-0 at the break.
Thomas More Prep would finally get on the board in the third quarter, taking advantage of the wind and Drew O'Brien's strong leg after he booted 49-yard field goal to push the score to 14-3.
The Monarchs first touchdown of the game would come on their first possession of the fourth quarter, when Dylan Gottschalk finished a long drive with a 10-yard run. TMP came up short on a two point try so the deficit was set at 14-9.
As time winded down in the game, the home team was able to sting together a 70 yard drive that included a number of penalties that put them in some tough situations. The drive was capped by a 10-yard touchdown run by Nick Hammake. After another penalty, a long two-point conversion from Hammake to Taylor Pfeiffer gave TMP a three-point victory.
The Monarchs have now doubled their win total from all of last season.
"We knew last year that 2-7 where not we should have ended up," said TMP head coach Jon Borer. "These kids are fighting. They worked hard in the weight room all summer and we've really done some good things."
The Monarchs will open up district play on the road at Phillipsburg (3-2). Cimarron opens up at home against Lakin (2-3).
