Photos: Lucious Dones fuels thrilling comeback victory for Althoff over Marion
Lucious Dones had a game he will never forget on Friday night.
A senior wide receiver-defensive back at Althoff, Dones scored three touchdowns – on a reception, a kickoff return and a fumble recovery – to help the Crusaders rally for a dramatic 31-30 comeback victory against visiting Marion.
Dones' second and third touchdowns came in a three-minute stretch early in the fourth quarter after Marion took a 24-12 lead on a 30-yard touchdown run by Jordyn Beverly with 10:17 left.
Dones returned the ensuing kickoff for an 85-yard kickoff return touchdown. Dones, who also recorded 10 tackles in the game, then returned a fumble 89 yards for a touchdown. The Crusaders couldn't convert the 2-point conversion attempt after either touchdown, which left the teams tied at 24-24.
Marion's Tommy Wiseman answered Dones' second score with a 72-yard touchdown run with 7:12 remaining, but the Wildcats couldn't convert their 2-point conversion run.
That set the stage for Althoff's go-ahead score with 2:14 left when Grant Hoffman scored on a 25-yard run and Tyler Schmieder converted the point-after kick to make it 31-30.
Althoff (3-3) snapped a two-game losing streak with Braylon Grayson throwing for 189 yards and two touchdown passes. Jordan Lewis caught five passes for 102 yards and a touchdown. Dones had three receptions for 75 yards and a score.
Marion fell to 3-3 with its second straight loss despite rushing for 458 yards. Wiseman finished with 162 yards and a touchdown on 11 carries. Beverly rushed for 136 yards and a score on 10 carries. Patrick Walker added 113 yards and two touchdowns on 25 carries.
Here is a look at the game from photographer Ricky Slaughter: