Marion scores 21 unanswered to beat Oskaloosa 21-13

MARION — Neither team scored in the first half.

Then came fireworks — and the rain.

Marion (2-6) rallied from a 13-point deficit, scoring 21 unanswered points in the second half to down Oskaloosa (0-8), 21-13, in a Class 4A District 4 high school football game on Senior Night.

Oskaloosa kicked to the Wolves to begin the second half. With rain pouring down, the ball bounced off a Marion returner, and the Indians recovered at the Wolves’ 32-yard line.

Three plays later, Oskaloosa quarterback Tyler Edgar sprinted home for a 27-yard touchdown.

Marion committed multiple penalties on the point-after attempt, allowing the Indians to kick off from the Wolves’ 30.

With the advantageous field position, Oskaloosa attempted and recovered an onside kick at Marion’s 11. Two plays later, Brock Beerbower ran in for 2-yard TD.

Just 1:31 into the second half, the Indians led 13-0.

“We posted them 13 points, and we let our emotions get the better of us at times,” Marion Coach Michael Joyner said. “But the guys battled. We had some things that we knew could potentially work.”

The Wolves answered immediately. Sophomore running back Logan Hendricks took a pitch from quarterback Lucas Stearns and launched a pass to a wide-open Matthew Danninger for an 84-yard touchdown.

“We pulled out that trick play because we knew they were firing way up,” Joyner aid. “It’s great when we execute.”

“I think it was pretty big for us,” Hendricks said. “It brought up everyone’s energy, everyone’s morale.”

Later in the third, Tyler Davis picked off an Oskaloosa pass at the Indians’ 24. On the next play, Landon Tilkes sprinted in for a 24-yard score, giving Marion a 14-13 lead.

“We could have put our heads down, and it could have gone two different ways,” Joyner said. “But we scored 21 straight points and looked pretty darn good during the last quarter and a half. I’m really proud of our guys.”

Hendricks added the insurance score Marion needed — a 54-yarder with 2:33 remaining.

“I got a lot of good blocks from Landon Tilkes, and then I saw a big gap,” Hendricks said. “I had to book it toward the end.”

Hendricks finished with 108 rushing yards, 115 passing yards and 35 receiving yards.

Marion’s defense forced a pair of turnovers on downs in the fourth quarter, along with a fumble recovery to seal the win.

“We had two really great fourth-down, fourth-quarter stops,” Joyner said. “It’s a credit to the guys. They believed in each other.”

Marion will travel to No. 5 Newton next Friday for its season finale.

Marion 21, Oskaloosa 13

(At Marion High School)

OSK – MAR

Oskaloosa 0 0 13 0 — 13

Marion 0 0 14 7 — 21

OSK — Tyler Edgar 27 run (Ayden Plumb kick)

OSK — Brock Beerbower 2 run (PAT no good)

MAR — Matthew Danninger 84 pass from Logan Hendricks (Landon Tilkes kick)

MAR — Landon Tilkes 24 run (Landon Tilkes kick)

MAR — Logan Hendricks 54 run (Landon Tilkes kick)

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING – Oskaloosa: Tyler Edgar 16-104, Brock Beerbower 7-23, Oscar Chambers 25-49, Kayne Boender 2-9. Marion: Landon Tilkes 9-92, Colton Taylor 1-1, Logan Hendricks 13-108, Lucas Stearns 3-0, Team 1-(minus 5).

PASSING - Oskaloosa: Tyler Edgar 5-15-38-2. Marion: Lucas Stearns 2-9-71-2, Logan Hendricks 2-2-115-0.

RECEIVING - Oskaloosa: Kayne Boender 2-12, Samba Cisse 1-8, Ayden Plumb 1-8, Kolby Williams 1-20. Marion: Matthew Danninger 2-115, Logan Hendricks 1-35, Tyler Pierce 1-36.