Marion’s defense may have been the difference maker in Thursday night’s game, holding the Panthers to 132 yards of total offense and only 49 rushing yards.

The Hurricanes notched their first win, beating county rival Northwood 36-14.

Marion got on the board first with Reid Osborne connecting with Logan Langston on a 33-yard TD pass.

The Northwood crew knotted things in the first frame with Seth DeBusk tossing an 83-yard touchdown to Owen Doane.

Marion scored twice more in the first frame, opening up a 21-7 lead. J.B. Carroll scored on an 11-yard run and Osborne tossed a 17-yard TD to Parker Wolfe.

Marion kept the pressure on in the second quarter, scoring twice, the final on a 32-yard scamper from Carroll to go into the break up 36-7. Northwood scored again in the final frame on a nine-yard touchdown run.

Marion rushed for 183 yards on 34 carries and passed for 91 years, completing seven of 12 attempts with one interception.

Northwood managed just three first downs, rushing for 49 yards on 25 carries and passing for 83 yards, all on one completion. The Panthers also had two fumbles, both of which they recovered.