Goessel football advances to bi-district with victory
By DELBERT PETERS
Sports writer
Goessel High School football team methodically took the ball down the field on its first possession of Thursday's District II football game.
Mixing up pass and running plays, and even converting a fourth-and-seven, Goessel scored on a 12-yard run through the left side of the line as Justin Fensky took the ball across the goal line.
Brian Meeks caught a Garrett Hiebert pass for the extra point making the score 8-0.
Hartford did not waste any time threatening to score, but Kyle Unruh stepped in front of a receiver, tipped the pass and then hung on for the interception with 6:35 to play in the first quarter.
Hartford's defense held on fourth down and the Jaguars took over possession of the ball. A 40-yard running play put up the first score for Hartford but the extra point failed.
On Goessel's next possession, the Bluebirds converted a first down, but then had to punt for the first time in the game.
Hartford connected on a 46-yard pass play and took the lead with 32 seconds in the quarter 14-8.
Goessel converted several first downs again on its next drive that ended with Brett Goerzen holding on to a 16-yard pass from Hiebert for a score, tying the game at 14.
Chad Schrag intercepted a pass with 4:15 to play in the second quarter and the Bluebird no-huddle offense was effective in moving the ball down the field.
Running behind the blocks of Alex Drake, Meeks, Tyler Schroeder, and Jared Unrau, the Bluebirds picked up first downs regularly and Fensky took the ball into the end zone from the three-yard line.
Adam Goering ran untouched for the two-point conversion, as Goessel led 22-14.
Evan Esau got to the quarterback for a sack and Hartford punted for the first time with three minutes to play in the half. Hartford threatened to break open a big play before halftime, but a Bubba Holder quarterback sack stifled the threat and the halftime score remained 22-14.
In the third quarter, Hartford scored on a four-yard run that ended in a pile at the goal line. With a Bluebird lead of 22-20, Goessel got the ball back. Fensky ran through the middle of the field spinning and twisting. A Jaguar tackler stripped the ball from Fensky ending the short-lived drive.
The Bluebird defense prevented Hartford from advancing the ball and took over on downs with 6:03 to play in the third quarter.
An excellent fake to Fensky up the middle, allowed Hiebert to scamper 60 yards for a touchdown and a 28-20 lead.
Hartford tied the score on its next possession with several first downs and a one-yard plunge to finish off the drive. The third quarter ended with a 28-28 score.
Hartford recovered a fumble at its own five-yard line, but had to punt and the Bluebirds again marched down the field, aided by a Jaguar penalty.
With fourth down and inches to go, the Hartford defense formed a wall, but Hiebert slid to the left and lunged into the end zone for the touchdown. Fensky made a diving catch for the extra points and Goessel led 36-28 with 3:16 to play.
Hartford wasted no time pulling off a 35-yard run and getting the ball to the Bluebird 20-yard line. But a Meeks and Holder tackle forced a fourth-and-nine.
Three Bluebirds and two Jaguars met under a pass in the end zone and the ball fell incomplete allowing the Bluebirds to run out the last 1:18. The final score ended 36-28.
GHS played Tuesday at Southern Coffey County for the first round of playoffs.
