VAN HORNE — If the Marion Indians were looking to make a statement, they certainly did so here Friday night.

Coach Tony Perkins’ team used the big play on offense and a smothering defense to bolt to a 42-point lead at halftime en route to a 63-0 win over Benton Community in a Class 3A, District 6 game at Bobcat Field.

The Indians (5-1, 3-0) remained tied for the district lead with Solon, which rolled past Anamosa 56-0 Friday night. Marion plays host to Solon next Friday night. Benton fell to 1-5, 1-2.

“We played with a lot of intensity tonight,” Perkins said. “They did a nice job this week in practice and they were focused on Benton because they have been our rival for a long time. We weren’t looking ahead past this week.”

It took Marion less than a minute to score. On the third snap of the game, quarterback Trevor Hardman hit Andrew Davis on a 39-yard scoring strike.

Benton fumbled the ensuing kickoff and before two minutes were gone, the Indians were on the board again.

Trev Biery bulled in from the 16, his first of three scoring runs.

Biery, who carried 10 times for 139 yards and the three scores in the first half, simply ran over the smaller Benton defenders.

He added another score early in the third quarter and finished with 161 yards on 13 carries.

The Indian reserves played most of the second half. Colton Mowry and Daquan Bradley found the end zone on scoring runs.

“Our reserves played well,” Perkins said. “We were actually able to play 63 kids and I thought they all did a very good job.”

Marion’s defense held Benton to 76 yards of offense and didn’t allow a first down until just before halftime.

Now the Indians can turn their attention to Solon.

“It’s just going to be another game,” Perkins said. “Solon comes into our district and it is just Solon. It is no different than a DeWitt (Central) or a Maquoketa. We just come out and play.”