Mecury PRO XS 250 Guardian help

Hey guysI have a 2009 PRO XS 250 with only 72 hours on it. I took it out for the first time this year this weekend and it went intoguardian mode with 3 hours left in my tournament. UGH! I probably ran it about 15 miles prior to it going into guardian modewith no problems until then. Started it up to go to the next spot and only 2400 to 2500 RPMS and wouldnt get on plane. No warning horns or buzzers. Smart Craft not showing anything. Plenty of water pressure. No dealers around me can get to it within3 weeks. I called Mercury and they told me its a good chance its spark plugs or fuel filter. Any other ideas? I have a set of new plugs I was going to replace after first 2 tanks of gas and will probably get a new fuel filter ordered today.