Tommie runningback Josh Parks jukes out a Piper defender in the first half. Parks scored four touchdowns in Saturday’s game. (Jacob Schneider/TommieMedia)

 

Tommie running back Josh Parks scored four times in the first half Saturday to help No. 6 St. Thomas defeat the Hamline Pipers 74-14 at Klaus Field.

Parks rushed for 160 yards, including a 63-yard run late in the second quarter.

St. Thomas led 6-0 in the first quarter when Tommie quarterback Tommy Dolan was intercepted by Piper middle linebacker Monty Stenroos. Piper quarterback Connor Leavens finished off the drive with a 25-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Tanner Lunceford to put Hamline ahead 7-6.

St. Thomas scored 35 unanswered points after that, including TD runs on the next two possessions by running back Tom Loeffler.

Leavens threw one more bomb toward the end of the half connecting with wide receiver Triston Thomas for a 30-yard touchdown.

A final 38-yard run by Loeffler set up Dolan for a 1-yard quarterback sneak with 25.8 seconds remaining in the half to add to the Tommies’ lead heading into the half.

Tommie running backs continued to dominate in the second half with Stephen Wagner and Josh Komis running the ball in creating a larger gap on the scoreboard.

St. Thomas (2-0) travels to non-conference opponent UW-Eau Claire for Saturday night lights. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:10 p.m.

Carly Noble can be reached at nobl1781@stthomas.edu.