The Sterling Black Bears left no doubt in their playoff matchup with Marion Friday night, rolling past the Warriors 53–14 to capture a Class 1A Regional Championship.
After forcing a punt on Marion’s second series, Zane Farney broke loose for a 77-yard touchdown run midway through the first quarter. He followed it with a 35-yard score late in the period to put the Bears ahead 13–0.
Early in the second quarter, Marion responded as Jameson Looper finished off a 68-yard drive with a 19-yard touchdown run to narrow the lead, 13-6, with 8:35 remaining in the half. After the Sterling defense forced another Marion punt, Farney added another long run, this one from 34 yards out. Sterling quarterback Logan Isaac capped the half with a pair of short touchdown keepers, including one set up by a Wyatt Newberry interception, sending Sterling into halftime with a commanding 33–6 lead.
The Bears picked up right where they left off to start the second half. On the very first play, Farney reversed field and sprinted 66 yards for his fourth touchdown of the night. Jace Darnauer added a 12-yard scoring run, and Isaac tacked on a 10-yard touchdown to stretch the margin to 53–6, prompting a running clock with 9:39 left in the third quarter.
Late in the fourth quarter, Looper added a 23-yard run for Marion to make the final score 53–14.
Farney finished with 273 yards on 14 carries and four touchdowns.
With the win, Sterling advances to host Trinity Catholic in a rematch from two weeks ago, when the two met for the District 7 Championship. Sterling won that clash 34-12. This time, a Sectional Championship will be on the line.
Sterling climbs to 10-0 for the first time since 1982, while Marion finishes their season at 7-3.
