By Paul Lecker

Sports Reporter

MARATHON – Marathon quarterback Donovan Free scored three touchdowns and threw for another, and the Raiders held Auburndale scoreless until the final seconds to win a WIAA Division 6 Level 2 football playoff game 27-6 Oct. 27 at Marathon High School.

Free had a 6-yard touchdown run midway through the first quarter and Marathon added a two-point conversion to take an 8-0 lead that held until halftime.

Free scored again from 6 yards out with 8:17 to go in the third quarter, and added a 1-yard TD run with 8:12 to go in the game to push Marathon’s lead to 20-0.

Free then hooked up with Carter Hanke for a 25-yard touchdown pass to make it 27-0 with just more than 4 minutes left.

Auburndale’s lone score came on a 1-yard touchdown run from Dylan Paun in the final minute.

Marathon outgained Auburndale (6-5) 358-123, and held the Apaches to just five first downs and four pass completions.

Marathon (8-3) moves on to a Level 3 game at Iola-Scandinavia (9-2) on Nov. 3.