MOUNT PLEASANT - The Marion Indians were not happy last year when they finished with a 4-5 record and failed to make the playoffs.

The Indians have vowed to make amends this season and made the Mount Pleasant Panthers their first victim Friday night.

Marion exploded for 44 points in the second quarter and trounced the Panthers, 70-7, in a Class 3A non-district game in Mount Pleasant.

Trev Biery and Tyler Gunderson scored three touchdowns apiece for the Indians. Biery scored on a 54-yard scamper in the third quarter when he ran up the middle, fumbled, retrieved the ball on a bounce and completed his run to the end zone.

Colton Mowry scored twice for the Indians.

Marion rushed for 352 yards and completely stuffed the Panthers, holding the home team to minus 44 yards on the ground. Mount Pleasant finished with 58 yards of total offense and scored on a 59-yard pass play in the first quarter to tie the game, 7-7.

Marion hosts Decorah next Friday night. Decorah finished second in the Class 3A playoffs last season. The Vikings were ranked No. 1 in the Des Moines Register preseason poll.

MARION 70, MOUNT PLEASANT 7

MAR     MTP

First Downs     16       4
Rushing         41-352   22-(minus 44)
Passing         2-4  6-19
Passing Yards   59       102
Penalties       7-50     6-40

Marion             13  44  13   0 - 70
Mount Pleasant   7   0   0   0 - 7

MAR - Trev Biery 5 run (Ben Kroemer kick)
MTP - Dalton Conrad 59 pass from Connor Shull (Liam Clancy kick)
MAR - Tyler Gunderson 23 run (kick failed)
MAR - Biery 35 interception return (Colton Mowry run)
MAR - Gunderson 75 return (conversion run)
MAR - Andrew Davis 44 pass from Trevor Hardman (Kroemer kick)
MAR - Biery 54 run (Kroemer kick)
MAR - Mowry 2 run (Kroemer kick)
MAR - Mowry 7 run (Kroemer kick)
MAR - Gunderson 15 run (kick failed)
MAR - Austin Ashley 3 run (Kroemer kick)