HAYS, KS - The tone was set early in the game as, Larned senior quarterback Easton Palmer threw a 73-yard pass to sophomore wide receiver Isiah Perez for a touchdown, causing the Indian fans to go wild.
“We stressed setting the tone of the game with that play,” said Palmer.
Palmer and the rest of the undefeated Larned Indians were able to do just that, spoiling Thomas More Prep-Marian's homecoming with a 41-8 victory Friday night. Larned (3-0, 2-0 Mid-Central District) held the Monarchs (1-2, 1-1) to just one touchdown, a 52-yard pass from junior quarterback Max Megaffin to senior wide receiver Ryan Mayorga.
Palmer accounted for three touchdowns - two through the air and one on the ground - to lead the Indian attack. Sophomore Landon Erway and senior Jamil Shoemaker also scored rushing touchdowns and senior Brayden Smith and junior Tyler Stelter were the recipients of Palmer's scoring strikes.
Kicker Michael Reece converted 5 of 6 extra points for the Indians, who finished with 141 rushing and 280 passing yards.
“We were very focused, we knew TMP would be physical and well-coached," Larned coach A.B. Stokes said. "We wanted to limit our mistakes and play the way we were capable of playing.”
The team executed their plays and kept their focus, led by Palmer.
“My mindset coming into the game is always, be humble and have a quiet confidence,” said Palmer.
The Indian fans who made the trip to watch the game also played a part in pumping up the boys and cheering loud and proud on the Monarchs' home turf.
“The fans in Larned are amazing. They are really a part of the team and they rally behind us," Palmer said. "The people in Larned are crazy about this team, and I’m loving every minute of it.”
The Indians came into the game wanting to keep up the improvements they’ve been making on defense and offense.
“Our defense as a whole stepped up big for us, and our QB Easton Palmer along with the O-line and receivers," said Stokes.
“We stress the mental part of the game, and that’s a big part of it,” Palmer added.
Although the Monarchs only made it into the end zone once, they were able to move the ball down the field on the Indians.
“It was a tough loss for us," TMP coach John Montgomery said. "We had several opportunities that we did not capitalize on, making the score more lopsided than it should’ve been.”
With help of their energized Homecoming crowd, the Monarchs kept playing until the last seconds of the game, never surrendering.
“I felt that we battled all four quarters and never game up,” said Montgomery.
Next week, the Indians are back home against Ellis, hoping to make additional improvements.
“We want to continue to work on being more physical and limit our penalties,” said Stokes.
Palmer felt the same way, adding, “We want to improve on penalties, we gotta cut down on those.”
The Monarchs travel to Ellsworth to play another homecoming game, hoping for a win against the Bearcats.
“We have to sure up our passing defense and build our confidence back up," Montgomery said.
