Contributing writer
Chase Flaming scored four touchdowns in Goessel’s final home game of the season on Friday, but the effort would not turn into a victory for the Bluebirds as they were defeated 58-36 by White City.
The Bluebirds scored first from one yard out, but the Huskies answered quickly on a 56-yard pass play to tie and then added two more scores to go ahead 22-6 early in the second quarter. Flaming broke loose for a 65-yard gallop to get the Bluebirds within one possession, but the Huskies answered quickly pushing their lead to 30-14.
Trevor Beisel recovered a fumble and Flaming was able to run around the right side of the line for an 18-yard touchdown, making the score 30-22. Again, White City responded quickly on a long run for a score.
Goessel’s defense forced a punt on fourth down and the Bluebirds took over on their own 35. Flaming picked up 24 yards and on fourth-and-6, Kellen Froese picked up a first down behind the blocking of Brian Hiebert, Reece Hiebert, and Connor Davis.
With 1:33 left in the first half, Flaming took the ball across the goal line from one yard out. It did not take very many seconds for White City to work the ball down the field and sneak in a score just before halftime to take a 44-30 lead into the break.
Goessel’s defensive line of Zach Showalter, Brian Hiebert, and Davis forced punts in the third period. White City would take advantage of a Bluebird fumble and with just under seven minutes to play in the third period scored. Michael Rhoades was able to punt the Bluebirds out of trouble several times, but White City scored one more time in the third period to close out the quarter with a 58-30 lead.
Mark Schmidt and Showalter made tackles in the Huskies backfield and forced the visitors to punt. Josh Schmidt got the Bluebirds deep into White City territory on a direction-changing 30-yard run, but the Bluebirds came up empty. On their next possession, Lucas Hiebert caught a pass for 22 yards and the Bluebirds scored their final points on a Flaming pass to Showalter to end the game with a final score of 58-36.
Beisel led the team in tackles with 10, followed by Mark Schmidt with 9 and Matt Regier and Brian Hiebert with seven each. Flaming finished the night with 80 yards on the ground with Josh Schmidt totaling 43 yards and Froese earning 34 yards. Michael Rhoades punted six times averaging 36 yards per kick.
Goessel is now 2-6 overall and 2-3 in district play. The Bluebirds will travel to Hope (5-0 in district) on Thursday for the final game of the season.