INDIANAPOLIS - Backed by 517 yards of total offense and four defensive takeaways, the Marian football team rolled to a 44-17 win over Lawrence Tech in their MSFA Mideast League opener. Marian's homecoming win improves the team record to 4-0 on the year, while they begin MSFA play 1-0 for the sixth consecutive season.

The first quarter flew by, as the Knights and Blue Devils combined for three possessions in the first 15 minutes of play with zero points getting added to the board. Marian forced a three-and-out on their first defensive possession, and on their first offensive trip they marched the ball inside the 10 yard line, but an incomplete pass on fourth down from the six yard line turned the ball over on downs.

Lawrence Tech ended the first half with a lengthy drive, as they marched 78 yards before the quarter's end, and at the start of the second quarter Alex Osman connected with Ben Brittain for a 19 yard touchdown pass. Lawrence Tech's 18-play, 94-yard scoring drive put the Blue Devils on top 7-0, but Marian responded quick with the legs of Keagan La Belle. The sophomore running back darted for 68-yards on the first play from scrimmage after the score, and after a penalty finished the drive with a spinning four yard touchdown run. 

Marian had a bad snap on the extra point and trailed 7-6 following La Belle's score, but the offense had a quick chance to score as Nate Frey set the team up with a 44-yard interception return. Marian settled for a field goal after the senior's interception, as Marlon Pomili pushed the Knights in front 9-7. The Knights defense got the ball back for the offense, with Zach Bundalo turning on his game. The quarterback hit two passes of 15 yards or more on the 55-yard series, and plunged in on a sneak from the one yard line as his third rushing touchdown of the season jumped Marian in front 16-7.

The scoring continued as defense got the ball back for the offense, and Bundalo was the beneficiary of a short screen pass, as Drew Byerly took the dump pass 61 yards to the house, vaulting the lead to 16 points. Marian ended their first half scoring after Adrian Cuevas made an interception, and Christian Hunter capped off the drive with a three-yard touchdown run. Marian's defense were unable to close out the half as Lawrence Tech scored the final points of the half with a touchdown pass from Osman, as the score at the break showed 30-14.

After halftime, Marian's offense was dialed in, scoring on their first two drives. The Knights marched 57 yards on their first series after the break with Bunaldo completing four passes on the drive, with a laser to Jalen Jennings from 30 yards hitting the end zone. Alex Griffith forced a fumble on the enusing Blue Devil series, and Marian went into their bag of tricks for their next score, as receiver Jake Reichard threw a 62 yard touchdown pass to Tirae Spence to give Marian their 44-14 lead. 

Marian's defense would limit Lawrence Tech to just three points for the remainder of the game, allowing a field goal in the fourth quarter. The defense forced a pair of punts in the second half, while a Jordan Turner interception ended the highlights and the final Blue Devil drive of the game. 

As a team the Knights threw for 362 yards in the win, with Bundalo tossing for 281 with a pair of scores against one interception. Reichard's 62-yard passing score was the first non-quarterback pass for the Knights since Krishawn Hogan in 2016. La Belle led Marian in rushing with 75 yards on the ground, and Gideon Brimmage finished the game with 29 yards. Jennings led the receiving core with 114 yards and a touchdown on five catches, while Spence and Byerly had touchdowns of 60 yards. Bundalo, Reichard, and RJ Griffin completed passes to nine different receivers in the win.

On defense, Frey and Griffith each had eight total tackles to lead the team. Cuevas, Frey and Turner each had an interception, while Dwight Lewis III recovered a fumble. Jake Paris, Deon Pettiford, Miles Anderson, and Dakari Kenney each made a sack in the game.

Marian will go on the road for their next two games, traveling to Madonna next Saturday. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.

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