Dylan Stolz’s late pick seals Marengo’s win over Plano

MARENGO – With three weeks remaining in the regular season, the Plano-Marengo matchup certainly had the feel of postseason football.

Although the offenses ruled the first half of action, both defenses played well in the second half and an interception late in the game secured a 21-20 victory for the Indians.

Plano’s Ray Jones Jr. entered Friday night averaging 148 rushing yards a game for the Reapers and made his presence felt early on. He capped a four-play, 71-yard drive with a 55-yard touchdown run to give the Reapers a 7-0 lead.

Marengo answered right away as quarterback Josh Holst threw a 19-yard touchdown to Collin Aubry to tie the score. On the ensuing kickoff, Waleed Johnson sprinted 80 yards for a Plano score, giving the Reapers the lead again.

Marengo marched right back. Running back Dylan Stolz capped a 75-yard drive with a 1-yard touchdown run to even the score at 14. Stolz was a consistent force the entire game for the Indians. The senior ran for 177 yards on 36 carries with a touchdown and added an interception on defense.

“It was a total team effort with the line doing a great job, the guards were pulling and I really just followed my blocks and we made plays when it mattered,” Stolz said.

The second half was a completely different story. Both defenses were stout. Plano’s defense recovered a fumble and forced three Marengo punts while also stopping the Indians on a fourth-down attempt.

“Our coaches made some great adjustments and put our guys in a position to make plays in the second half and our guys played their hearts out. This was a tough one for us,” Plano coach Rick Ponx said.

Marengo’s defense was equally impressive, recovering a fumble, forcing two punts and intercepting two passes.

“Our defensive line and linebackers stepped up, our coaches really put us in a good position in the second half, and we took advantage our opportunities,” Marengo senior lineman Brock Adamson said.

Each team allowed a second-half touchdown, but it was Marengo that held a one-point lead late in the game. That is when the Indians’ second interception sealed the win. With 33 seconds left in the game and Plano driving, Marengo’s Stolz sealed the win with an interception.

“Our kids needed a game like that. The defense had a chance to stand up tall and they did tonight,” Marengo coach Paul Forsythe said.

Plano (5-2, 3-2) was led offensively by Jones, who finished with 138 yards on 18 carries and one catch for 29 yards. Quarterback Sam Sifuentes was 9-of-24 passing with 139 yards. In addition to his kickoff return for a touchdown, Johnson had five catches for 64 yards.

For Marengo, Holst was 12-of-13 passing for 128 yards and had 98 yards rushing with two total touchdowns. Logan Miller added six receptions for 58 yards.

With the win, Marengo helps its playoff chances by moving to 4-3.

“Our kids took some confidence from this game tonight. This was a playoff-style football game and now we control our own destiny,” Forsythe said.