WASHINGTON - The Marion Indians put on a Houdini act in the second half to get out of Washington with a 13-10 win.

After going up 13-0 early the Indians needed a magic act to escape the Demons’ offensive threats repeatedly late in the game Friday night.

“We feel a little fortunate but it also shows our kids' heart,” Marion Coach Tony Perkins said on getting the win. “The defense played exceptionally well.”

The Indians (3-1) overcame multiple fumbles and denied the Demons points numerous times when the Demons (2-2) were within striking distance for a game-winning touchdown or game-tying field goal.

The first Marion stand came after a fumble gave Washington the ball on the Indians' 7-yard line. The Marion defense held and Washington missed the game-tying field goal.

Senior Trev Biery looked like he would cement the win when he broke free for an apparent touchdown, but Demon defensive back Tanner Knupp chased him down and punched the ball free. The Demons pounced on it and Knupp followed the big play up with a great catch and run to put the Indians back on their heels.

The Demons looked primed to score until a block in the back penalty pushed the Demons back. The penalty looked very close to being a legal block but the flag was thrown and the Indians took advantage.

Two plays later senior Andrew Davis fell on a fumble to end the scoring threat.

The final escape came on what seemed to be the last play of the game.

The Indians sent a punt down to the Washington 30 where the Demons' Alex Coker returned the ball 70 yards for what would have been the winning touchdown.

Fortunately for the Indians, there was a flag on the play and the return was nullified. With the penalty and no time left the game appeared to be over but the officials granted the Demons one untimed play.

“It (the penalty) was pretty obvious. They had been doing it all night, we just lucky they (the officials) saw that one,” Perkins said.

The long pass fell to the ground and the Indians' crazy night finished with a win.

“It was a bizarre game, some freaky stuff happened,” Perkins said. “But it is always big to go anywhere and win.”

The Indians scored on goal line runs in both the first two quarters to take a 13-0 lead.

Biery took one in from one yard out in the first and Davis bulldozed his way in to the end zone from two yards out in the second quarter.

Washington scored the next 10 points on an option toss for a 17-yard touchdown run from Kyle Roder late in the second and a 29-yard field goal from Mason Quigley early in the third.

The rest of the game saw both teams shoot themselves in the foot with crazy penalties, vicious hits and wacky fumbles - but no points - and things ended with the defenses in control.

The physicality of the game hit a climax in the third when Indians’ kick returner Logan Fuller was taken off on a stretcher after taking a big hit.

“It was a vicious game,” Perkins said.

The Indians go back into district play next Friday at home against Maquoketa.

“If we get healthy, I feel very good,” Perkins said of the return to district play.

MARION 13, WASHINGTON (IA) 10
MAR        WAS
First Downs --     10        9
Rushes-Yards --    41-107        30-18
Passing Yards --    89        156
Comp-Att-Int – 4-10-0        13-20-0
Punts-Avg --     6 – 34.5        6 – 34.8
Fumbles-Lost – 5-3        3-2
Penalties-yards – 6-55        12-110

Marion                            7  6  0  0 --  13
Washington, Iowa         0  7  3  0  --  10

Marion - Trev Biery 1 run (Dalton Ott Kick)
Marion - Andrew Davis 2 run (attempt failed)
Washington - Kyle Roder 17 run (Mason Quigley kick)
Washington - FG Quigley 29

INDIVIDUAL STATS
RUSHING: Marion – Trev Biery 18-100, Tyler Gunderson 6-17, Colton Mowry 7-29, Nick Connolly 1-3, Brandon Hornback 2-2, Trevor Hardman 6-(-46), Andrew Davis 1-2. Wash. – Kyle Roder 11-41, Tanner Knupp 3-1, Alex Coker 6-7, Daryn Sebelius 8-(-33), Mason Quigley 2-2.
PASSING: Marion – Trevor Hardman 4-10-0-89. Wash. – Daryn Sebelius 13-20-0-156.
RECEIVING: Marion – Ethan Herren 1-16, Tyler Gunderson 1-33, Trev Biery 1-10, Quinn Cannoy 1-30.  Wash. – Tanner Knupp 4-78, Alan Sanchez 4-26, Justin Hoffman 3-32, Mason Quigley 1-8, Alex Coker 1-24.