New semi-pro team beats SLC

The newly formed Mountain Home Marauders semi-pro football team won its first game Saturday, defeating the Salt Lake City Stallions 33-21 at Eastside Park in Mountain Home.

The maroon-clad Mauraders started off a little ragged, with several penalties and a fumble that led to the first Stallion score early in the game, but gained confidence and timing as the game wore on.

"I was real pleased," said Coach James Roberts. "The first quarter was a little scary, but then the defense kicked in gear during the second quarter and then the offense kicked in, and the guys did great."

Three long scoring drives in the second half that the Stallions were unable to answer keyed the win for the 30-man Maurader squad, composed of players from base and the local community.

Quarterback Jay Hatfield completed only one pass in the game, but it was a good one, a 79-yard scoring strike to Jonathon Norris.

Most of the game the Marauders elected to pound it out on the ground, rushing 34 times for 222 yards on the afternoon.

Timothy Lawson had 12 carries for 79 yards and two touchdowns and Ernest Ramos had 47 yards and a touchdown in the victory, watched by a small crowd of largely family and friends.

The defense also contributed to the victory when one of the Maurader safeties grabbed a Stallion pass for an interception and returned it 55 yards for a touchdown.

Next up for the Marauders is an Oct. 25 game in the Olympic Dome in Salt Lake City.