Quarterback Kyler Smith throws a quick pass over the West Marshall line in South Tama’s home opener on Aug. 27. Smith finished 4-for-11 passing for 54 yards with one touchdown. Photo by Darvin Graham

Preston Pope ran for 126 yards and four touchdowns to help lead West Marshall to a 45-6 blowout victory over South Tama on Friday night.

Pope needed just 12 carries to accrue 126 yards and four scores, three of which came during West Marshall’s 33-point second-quarter outburst. West Marshall took advantage of Parker Reese’s blocked punt, Peyton Hart’s interception and Caden Vellinga’s fumble recovery to run away with this game before halftime.

Hart added seven carries for 89 yards and two touchdown runs, and he also completed 4-of-4 passing attempts for 111 yards. Reese caught two balls for 94 yards, and Vellinga had a 1-yard touchdown run.

West Marshall outgained South Tama 450-115.

South Tama’s lone score came in the third quarter as Kyler Smith connected with Jordan Bly on a 39-yard touchdown pass. It was set up by a 21-yard run on a fake punt by Rudy Papakee.

South Tama senior Jacob Collison goes after West Marshall’s Grahm Nason (4) in the backfield last Friday. The Trojans struggled against a talented West Marshall squad, giving up 450 total yards in a blowout loss. Photo by Darvin Graham

Smith finished 4-for-11 passing for 54 yards with one interception. Boden Koehler was STC’s leading rusher with 13 carries for 43 yards. Gavin Bridgewater had three receptions for 15 yards.

South Tama’s leading tackler was defensive back Ethan Cruikshank who totaled five tackles. The defense forced one turnover, which was a fumble recovery by Bridgewater.

The Trojans will look to right the ship this week in a road contest against Saydel. The Eagles also dropped their season opener, a 43-6 loss to Clarke, Osceola. South Tama is 11-0 all-time against Saydel, with last year’s 55-6 victory breaking a 24-game losing streak the Trojans had been on since 2016.

South Tama running back Boden Koehler squeezes past the West Marshall line during the Trojan’s Week 1 home game on Aug. 27. Koehler led the team with 43 yards on the ground. Photo by Darvin Graham

A pile of Trojans takes down West Marshall quarterback Peyton Hart last Friday at Trojan Field. Hart and the West Marshall offense focused on the run against South Tama, yet still completed all four passes for a total of 125 yards in the air. Photo by Darvin Graham