Marion’s playoff bid upended by Davenport Assumption, 49-21

MARION - Even through the disappointment of defeat, there is no denying the significant progress made by the Marion Indians.

After a winless 2015 season and 18-straight defeats, Marion leapt into the Class 3A playoff picture with five wins and a winning record under first-year coach Tim Lovell.

But Friday night at Thomas Park, Marion's resurgent season came to an abrupt halt as Davenport Assumption scored touchdowns on its first four possessions and steamrolled the Indians, 49-21, in a District 4 season finale.

'They really played well,” Lovell said. 'They had a good game plan, they executed well and they out-physicaled us on the line. That's really where it happened. The challenge is, we've got to respond. We've got to get in the weight room. We've got to get faster. But that's OK. That's what every football team does. I told these guys, ‘There isn't another group of guys I'd want to be with.' I'm proud of how hard they fought.”

Assumption was led by the dynamic tailback-quarterback run game of senior Justus Burke and junior Jayce Levy. Levy ran for 153 yards, threw for 112 and accounted for five total touchdowns. Burke tallied 24 carries for 172 yards, two scores and added an 18-yard scoring reception from Levy for a 27-6 halftime lead.

The victory clinched a playoff berth for Assumption (7-2, 6-1 District 4) as district runner-up. Marion ends its season at 5-4 overall, 4-3 in the district.

'We came a long way,” Lovell said. 'We faced three really good football teams to end our season. We found out some things that we're good at, and we found some things we've got to get better at. That's a great place to be.”

Marion sophomore quarterback Trevor Paulsen threw for 299 yards and three scores, two to tight end Grant Meth. Back-to-back TD passes to Meth and an 88-yarder to junior Blair Brooks got the Indians as close as 34-21 at the end of the third quarter.

Brooks caught eight passes for 153 yards.

All three players will return next season, anxious to capitalize on the 2016 breakout campaign.

'It was a good start,” Paulsen said. 'It didn't end the way we wanted, but it's a good start for us.”

AT THOMAS PARK

Davenport Assumption 49, Marion 21

Davenport Assumption 7 20 7 15-49

Marion 0 6 15 0-21

DA – Jayce Levy 1 run (Nate McMullen kick)

DA – Justus Burke 31 run (kick failed)

MAR – Grant Meth 61 pass from Trevor Paulsen (kick failed)

DA – Levy 3 run (McMullen kick)

DA – Burke 18 pass from Levy (McMullen kick)

DA – Burke 25 run (McMullen failed)

MAR – Meth 9 pass from Paulsen (Paulsen run)

MAR – Blair Brooks 88 pass from Paulsen (Alex Whalen kick)

DA – Levy 64 run (Ray Thrapp pass from Levy)

DA – Levy 3 run (Nate McMullen kick)

RUSHING – Davenport Assumption: Justus Burke 24-172, Jayce Levy 22-153, Ryan Wohlers 2-13, Augustine Rosas 3-16; Marion: Owen Carstensen 10-23, Chris Mohwinkle 2-1, Isaak Hahn 1-(-11), Ryan Bettenga 5-(-6), Trevor Paulsen 6-27, Trey Robertson 1-(-11); PASSING – Davenport Assumption: Jayce Levy 9-10-0-112; Marion: Trevor Paulsen 17-29-1-299; RECEIVING – Davenport Assumption: Ryan Wohlers 3-67, Justus Burke 1-18, Ben Frommelt 2-9, Logan Klemme 1-8, Dawson Kirk 2-10; Marion:

Blair Brooks 8-153, Grant Meth 2-70, Clayton Mohwinkle 4-26, Alex Whalen 3-50.

l Comments: douglas.miles@thegazette.com