Week Three Showcase Match-Up: Phillipsburg at Thomas More Prep

The original intention for Week Three was to head for Victoria where the 8-Man II runners-up from last season (#2 in 8-Man II currently) were to host the Osborne Bulldogs. Due to lightning delays, the two schools decided to just cancel the ballgame. Luckily for me, just a handful of miles to the west was the Phillipsburg at TMP ballgame in Hays. That game was also delayed due to the storms but they decided to resume action shortly after 9:00 PM.   Both teams entered the contest at 1-1. Phillipsburg had just lost to rival Smith Center by the score of 14-16 the week prior. TMP lost Week One to a talented Russell squad in a close contest 22-29. This game was definitely much the same when it came to how competitive the game and final score was.   TMP entered the contest led by a roster that has been quite young but now coming into their own as a more experienced ball club this season. Last year the Monarchs finished with a 5-4 record and looked to challenge for the top of the Mid-Continent League entering 2025.   TMP has a nice mix of skill position players and quality lineman. They are led by quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1515910' first='Carson' last='Liles'] (5-foot-11, 175-pounds) who passed for over 1,300 yards and 10 touchdowns this past season. The backfield is in great hands with junior running back [player_tooltip player_id='1620508' first='Jackson' last='Gillespie'] (5-foot-9, 155-pounds) who possess very good speed and balance as a runner. The receiving core is a very good one with the return of junior [player_tooltip player_id='1530374' first='Jacob' last='Seib'] (6-foot-0, 150-pounds), senior Isaac Purinton (5-foot-9, 150-pounds) and sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1433327' first='Grant' last='Nehls'] (6-foot-2, 175-pounds). Up front they are led by a experienced line that possess good size. Leading the hogs are seniors [player_tooltip player_id='1622485' first='Brayden' last='Gilmore'] (6-foot-0, 240-pound), Easton Werth (6-foot-1, 205-pounds) and [player_tooltip player_id='1530426' first='Kenneth' last='Walker'] (5-foot-8, 230-pounds). Gilmore is also a dominant defensive tackle.   Phillipsburg is coming off of a 6-4 season and is led by senior running back Tanner Horinek (5-foot-9, 160-pounds) and senior fullback Blake Buresh (5-foot-8, 170-pounds). Horinek is one of the states top hurdlers regardless of classification. He brings a lot of speed and explosiveness. Buresh on the other hand is a bruising runner who shows quality speed himself. Quarterbacking the Panthers is Colin Springer (5-foot-9, 160-pounds). He had nearly 700 yards of total offense last season and 13 touchdowns. Other weapons for Phillipsburg were senior EJ Hall (6-foot-2, 190-pounds), senior Kaid Schwenn (5-foot-9, 160-pounds) who a contributors on both sides of the ball but known for their play on defense. Leading the Panthers up front is senior Blayze Christy (6-foot-0, 235-pounds).   The game itself came down to the very end in dramatic fashion in a typical physical MCL contest.   We start things off with a 44 yard touchdown scamper by [player_tooltip player_id='1620508' first='Jackson' last='Gillespie']. That came with 9:50 in the first quarter. The PAT was good bringing our score to 7-0 TMP.   Phillipsburg answers right back with 4:14 in the first with a 14 yard touchdown run by quarterback Colin Springer. The PAT was once again successful bring our score to 7-7.   The Monarchs once again regained the lead after a 39 yard field goal by [player_tooltip player_id='1515910' first='Carson' last='Liles']. That came right before half with :02 remaining. We entered half-time with a score of 10-7 TMP.   The third quarter brought much the same when Liles hit yet another field goal. This one came from 29 yards out, bringing our score to 13-7 TMP.   The Monarchs were looking to take control of this ballgame but with 11:47 left in the fourth they stalled out and proceeded to have their punt blocked by the Panthers. Phillipsburg evens things up with a 10 yard Blake Buresh run. That came with 6:54 left in the contest. PAT was blocked and our score was tied at 13-13.   With time winding down, TMP got a 3 yard plunge by Isaac Purinton with 2:28 left in the fourth. The ever important PAT was good and our score was 20-13 TMP.   Phillipsburg had one last chance and boy did they ever take advantage of it. With under 1:50 in our ballgame, Tanner Horienk goes to the outside showcasing his high level speed and scores from 69 yards out to make our ball game 20-19. Remember earlier in the fourth Phillipsburg had their PAT blocked. The Panthers decided to go for the win but their two point conversion came up just a little short for Buresh.   TMP was able to move the ball and close out the remainder of the time giving them a big MCL victory 20-19.   The (2-1) Monarchs enter Week Four with a bye and then a big time battle with the (3-0) Smith Center Redmen. This will be played in Smith Center. As for the Panthers (1-2), they look to rebound against a very tough (1-2) Beloit squad. This contest will take place in Beloit.   As for myself, I'll be back in Hays where the (2-1) Hays Indians host the (1-2) Garden City Buffaloes for homecoming. Hays is one of the more dominant teams in the state that has gone through a murderous row of elite competition. They have edged out then #1 in 6A Derby (in Derby) and broke out their new stadium with a big time win over Oklahoma power Choctaw (defending state champs). The Indians finally did see their first defeat of the season against 6A #1 Manhattan in a nailbiter, 8-10.   Garden City got their first win of the season over a quality Wichita Heights program this past Friday. Their two prior loses came to the hands of the very same Manhattan and Olathe Northwest.

The original intention for Week Three was to head for Victoria where the 8-Man II runners-up from last season (#2 in 8-Man II currently) were to host the Osborne Bulldogs. Due to lightning delays, the two schools decided to just cancel the ballgame. Luckily for me, just a handful of miles to the west was the Phillipsburg at TMP ballgame in Hays. That game was also delayed due to the storms but they decided to resume action shortly after 9:00 PM.