Marion blowout is county’s only victory

By NICHOLAS KIMBALL

Staff writer

Marion was the only county team to walk away with a victory Friday, but the other games weren’t all blowouts this time around. Peabody-Burns and Goessel each suffered hard -fought defeats.

Marion

Marion owned Friday’s home non-conference game against Bluestem, winning 70-6.

Coach Shaun Craft expressed how pleased he was with how his players came out focused and handled business early on.

After racing to a large enough lead that a Bluestem comeback was improbable, Craft was able get younger players experience they previous didn’t have.

Marion ended the game with 394 yards of total offense, averaging 13.6 yards per play. But it possessed the ball for only 19 minutes compared to Bluestem’s 28.

Trevor Schafers led the Warriors with 115 yards rushing in six attempts. Jack Lanning gained 77 yards rushing on only two carries.

On defense, Gavin Regier dominated with five solo tackles. Trevor Schafers and Brayden Blackman had four each.

Marion (5-2) will be at Sedgwick (3-4) for the Warriors’ last regular season game Friday.

Hillsboro

The Trojans’ losing streak was extended by Friday’s 50-6 home non-conference loss to Smoky Valley.

“Winning is hard no matter what sport you play, and we are learning that first hand this year,” coach Demetrius Cox said. “Smoky Valley is a solid team filled with great seniors who have played a lot of football.”

Smoky Valley senior Justice Autry had 11 carries for 107 yards and two touchdowns. His teammate, senior Trystan Stambaugh, had 16 carries for 107 yards and three touchdowns.

Hillsboro’s leader in receiving yards this year is Tyson Plenert, who averages 38 per game. Wyatt Plenert leads the team with an average of 42 rushing yards per game.

Hillsboro (1-6) will be at home for the Trojans’ final regular season game against winless Lyons (0-7).

“To beat Lyons, we are going to need a week of continuous effort on offense, defense, and special teams,” Cox said.
“Our players have to learn that there are two things they can always control: effort and attitude. If they can do that then we have a great chance at beating Lyons and making playoffs, where everyone starts back at 0-0.”

Peabody-Burns

Peabody-Burns lost a heartbreaker, 38-34, in Friday’s home non-conference game against undefeated Waverly.

It’s hard to anticipate what will happen when an undefeated team visits town, but the Warriors left it all on the field in a hard-fought loss.

Colton Gossen led the way for Peabody-Burns on offense with 20 carries for a total of 140 yards and four touchdowns.

On defense, Jeff Glover, Cade Gossen, and Colton Gossen accumulated 10 total tackles each.

“I thought our defense played very well for the majority of the game, holding Waverly to less than 35 points,” coach Kody Tegtmeier said.

Waverly averages 49 points a game.

“Offensively ,we played well, taking our first drive of the game straight down for a Gossen touchdown,” he said.

Offensive fumbles and a lost on-side kick hampered the Warrior upset bid.

Referees refused to call An unsportsmanlike hit against an unprotected Peabody-Burns player during the on-side kick.

Tegtmeier exchangec words with them a few times during the game, including after clear face-masking that probably wouldn’t have been called if he hadn’t stepped in.

Peabody-Burns (4-3) will play its last regular-season game on the road Friday against Centre (3-4) Friday.

The winner of this game will be the No. 3 seed for the district. The loser will drop down to No. 4.

“If we come out physical, aggressive, and take care of the ball, I like our chances,” Tegtmeier said.

Goessel

In an evenly matched contest, Goessel lost 48-40 in overtime Friday to Moundridge.

It became clear early in the game that the winner of might be the team that had the football last.

Moundridge scored first. The Bluebirds ran the ensuing kickoff in for a score, but a penalty nullified the play. Goessel then marched down field, with Grant Bryant scoring from six yards out.

The Wildcats plowed in from two yards out to grab a 14-6 lead in the second quarter.

Goessel answered when Jake Wiens raced down the left sideline from 31 yards out.

After forcing a Moundridge punt, the Bluebirds started from their own 13 yard line. On a surprise play, Jake Wiens faked a run and tossed the ball to Noah Schrag for a 34-yard touchdown with 12 seconds left in the first half.

Moundridge scored first in the third period. The ensuring kickoff travelled 20 yards, but the Wildcats smothered the ball and advanced for another score, taking a 28-22 lead.

Grant Bryant tied the game with a 35-yard sprint, but Moundridge finished the third quarter with another touchdown.

A Wiens pass to Caleb Burkholder was the only score in the fourth quarter, and the game was tied 34-34 at the end of regulation.

In the first overtime, both teams scored but extra points were not converted. In the second, Moundridge scored first. , and the Bluebirds were unable to penetrate the goal line.

Bryant led the offense with 200 yards rushing. Wiens scored two touchdowns rushing and two passing. Burkholder, Bryant and Eli Boden led the defense in tackles.

Goessel is now 3-1 in district games and 4-3 overall. The Bluebirds will be at Little River (6-1) Friday for their last district game.

Centre

Centre lost its road conference game against Wetmore, 79-29.

The Cougars (3-4) will be at home in their last regular-season game of the season against Peabody-Burns (4-3).

The winner of this game will be the No. 3 seed for the district. The loser will drop down to No. 4.

Staff writer Delbert Peters contributed to this story