St. Vincent falls short in upset bid at Marionville

~ The Indians held the leadin the last quarter beforethe top-ranked Cometspulled out a 14-7 victory.

MARIONVILLE -- St. Vincent nearly pulled off the upset.

A decided underdog, the Indians had the Marionville juggernaut on the ropes after a 45-yard punt return for a touchdown in the third quarter.

But Marionville, ranked No. 1 in the state in Class 1, rallied for a 14-7 victory in the state quarterfinal game Monday night at Bill Redus Field. The Comets improved to 12-0, while St. Vincent finished its season at 7-5.

The Indians held the lead into the fourth quarter -- the first time the Comets had trailed in the fourth quarter since last year's championship game when they lost to West Platte -- until the Indians got a healthy dose of Lee Flood.

Trailing 7-6, the Comets drove 80 yards in 12 plays, capping the drive with a 5-yard touchdown run from Flood, the state's single-season rushing record holder.

Marionville added a two-point conversion pass from Brandon Verfurth to Jake Grubbs.

St. Vincent scrapped back to get the ball to the Marionville 29 as time expired.

"No one gave us a chance in this game," St. Vincent coach Keith Winkler said. "I'm so proud of our team. Everyone said we were supposed to get beat by 35 with the turbo clock."

After all, Marionville had just dismantled Joplin McAuley Catholic 41-6 in the sectional round, and McAuley had edged St. Vincent in the opening week of the season.

And even after the Comets' 80-yard march, St. Vincent didn't give up.

Quarterback Tim Guilliams led the Indians down to the Marionville 29-yard line before the clock expired.

"We knew it would be a tough game, but our kids responded and stepped up," Winkler said.

The Indians nearly sparked images of 2004's state semifinal victory over Marionville, which St. Vincent won 20-14 on their way to the school's first state championship.

St. Vincent's only touchdown came in the third quarter when Gregory Finger returned a punt 45 yards for a touchdown.

Offense was hard to find for both teams in the smashmouth game with St. Vincent amassing 205 yards -- 137 on the ground -- while Marionville had 255.

Field position was everything after Flood took the second play of the game 69 yards for a touchdown to give Marionville a 6-0 lead. The extra point kick failed.

Senior running back Lucas Robinson led the Indians with 81 yards on 21 carries.

Guilliams was 5-of-15 passing for 75 yards and an interception.

Flood finished with 227 yards on 36 carries, giving him 3,105 on the season. He only needs 168 yards to break his previous record of 3,272.

Marionville will play 1:30 p.m. Saturday afternoon at Lone Jack (11-1).