ADRIAN, Mich. -- The 18th-Ranked Siena Heights football team fell to No. 2 Marian (Ind.) 21-7 in the team's final regular-season game. Austin Krider scored the lone Saint touchdown halfway through the fourth quarter with a 29-yard touchdown reception that tied the game at seven points, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Mideast champion Knights.
THE BASICS
Final Score: Marian (Ind.) 21, Siena Heights 7
Location: Adrian, Michigan (O'Laughlin Stadium)
Records: Marian (Ind.) (9-0, 6-0), Siena Heights (7-3, 3-3)
HOW IT HAPPENED
Both teams were scoreless through the first 30 minutes of the contest. Marian missed out on points in the opening two quarters by missing three field-goal attempts in the first half. The Saints squandered good starting field position by losing a fumble in the first play of a drive that started at the Marian 37-yard line.
Tristen Tonte put the Knights ahead with a three-yard touchdown run with 7:17 remaining in the third quarter. Matt Plesac's point after had things at 7-0 in favor of Marian.
Krider tied the game with his touchdown reception that he caught after circling back to snag the ball out of the air. Ethan Darter threw a perfect ball to Johnny Williams for a 29-yard touchdown pass of his own to put the Knights back on top 14-7 with just over six minutes to play in the game. Tyler Knecht was picked off by Diomoni Small on the first play of the next drive and Marian chopped off another 1:41 from the clock. Siena got the ball back with 4:11 left to play, but Knecht threw back-to-back incompletes and got popped for grounding and the Saints were forced to punt. Tonte put the game out of reach with a 33-yard touchdown run that extended the Knight lead to two scores with just 1:49 left in regulation. Siena would drive the ball down to the Marian 18-yard line but would run out of time before they were able to punch it in the endzone.
TOP SAINTS
Offense
• Knecht finished 13-30 for 186 yards and a touchdown through the air.
• Kaleb Jefferson rushed for 74 yards on 17 carries. He also led the Saints in reception yardage with 46.
• Krider scored on his only catch of the game.
Defense
• Kole Murlin led the Saints with 10 tackles.
• Griffin Sobol totaled nine stops and recovered a fumble.
• Gabe Callery finished with eight tackles. He also had an interception, Darter's second of the season.
• Andrew Loria, Trenton Morrow, and Nick Stalworth all tallied seven tackles. Loria had one tackle for loss.
Special Teams
• Caleb Meister punted eight times for 272 yards. He pinned the Knights inside their own 20-yard line twice.
• Anthony Secchi was 1-1 in extra-point tries.
THE OPPOSITION
Offense
• Darter finished 18-26 for 242 yards and a touchdown.
• Charles Salary ran for 83 yards on 17 carries.
• Tonte had 68 yards on 19 carries and two touchdowns.
• William hauled in six catches for 135 yards and a TD.
Defense
• Nickai Poyser led Marian with 18 tackles, a sack, 2.5 TFL.
• Raushawn Brent and Ryley Pease each had five tackles.
Special Teams
• Plesac missed all of his field-goal attempts but was a perfect 3-3 on extra points.
• Luke Frain punted five times for 185 yards. He pinned the Saints inside the 20 only once.
SEASON WRAP UP
Siena Heights finishes the regular season with a 7-3 overall record and a 3-3 mark in the Mid-States Football Association Mideast League. The seven wins tie the most wins in a season in program history, a mark set last season.
