Balanced attack

T-Birds get dominating playoff win

By MIKE COURSON

BUSHTON — If athletics is the other half of a high school education, Quivira Heights linebacker Taylor Siemsen gets an “A” out of the classroom. After studying film this week, the senior picked off the first play from scrimmage and returned it 20-yards for a touchdown, setting the tone in the Thunderbirds’ 46-0 win over Haviland to begin the playoff season.

“We’d seen that they do that, and actually Taylor had said he was going to jump on it,” said T-Bird coach John Phelan. “Tonight, we didn’t know it would come that early. They came out in that alignment, and he jumped it.”

“It was great,” Heights quarterback Gunner Phelan said. “It really improved our chances starting out 8-0 before we even get an offensive snap.”

Haviland (7-3) was able to put together a drive on the next series, but Tyler Riedel broke up a pass on third down to force a punt. The Thunderbird defense was able to stop the Dragons all night, giving up a mere 78 yards of offense.

“We made all our right reads, and tackled on the ball and got more than one guy wrapping up,” said Gunner Phelan.

After a punt of their own, Quivira warmed up nicely on the next drive with a long run from Jordan Trevino, and a two-yard score from Siemsen for a 14-0 lead with 5:33 remaining in the first quarter.

Heights forced a turnover on downs to halt another Dragon drive, then Trevino took the next play 60-yard to paydirt. Phelan connected with Riedel for the duos second two-point conversion of the night.

The Thunderbirds were headed for another score, but Tanner Stevens picked off a Phelan pass near his own end zone. Heights forced another punt, and Nick Schepmann ran 39-yards for a score with 7:21 to play in the half. Phelan ran in the conversion for a 30-0 advantage.

The Heights offense was able to beat Haviland both in the air and on the ground. Trevino lead the ground attack with 108 yards, and Phelan added 113 yards passing.

“That was excellent because I know we’ve had games where we’ve thrown a ton or ran it,” Coach Phelan said. “We able to do a little of both, and that was nice to see, especially in a playoff game.”

After yet another three-and-out from the Dragons, Phelan completed two passes including a 31-yard touchdown strike to Riedel. Siemsen added the two-points for a 38-0 lead with 3:48 to play in the first half.

Heights was unable to get to the magical 45-point mark before the half, but took the ball first in the second half and wasted no time getting back on the scoreboard. Trevino scampered 22 yards, then Ingham and Siemsen went nine yards each. Phelan capped off the eight-play, 65-yard drive with a 12-yard pass to Ingham just three minutes into the new half. Phelan found Riedel for the two-point conversion for the 46-0 lead that ended the contest.

Phelan was pleased with his team’s performance.

“More than anything, I was worried how we’d respond,” Phelan said. “We had some blowout games here through the district, and I just didn’t know how we’d play. (Haviland is) a solid football team: they have good size and speed, and can tackle.”

The Thunderbirds (8-2) will remain home for Saturday’s game against Otis-Bison. The time of the contest has not been determined.

“It’s going to be a big test,” said Phelan. “That’s a heck of a football team. I’ve seen them a little on film. We’ve got our work cut out for us. At least we get to come back and play here. We’ll see what happens.”

Game Statistics

QH HHS

Total Yards 333 78

Rushing 21-210 28-71

Passing 8-12-113-1 3-10-9-1

First Downs 9 8

Individual Statistics

Rushing — QH: Trevino 9-108; Schepmann 2-45; Siemsen 5-33; Ingham 2-12. HHS: Binford 11-31; Musquez 4-18; Perez 7-11; Stevens 2-8; McFarland 4-3.

Passing — QH: Phelan 8-12-113-1. HHS: Binford 2-8-6-1; Perez 1-1-3-0; Stevens 0-1-0-0.

Receiving — QH: Riedel 2-62; Ingham 4-33; Trevino 2-18. HHS: Stevens 2-8; Perez 1-1.

Otis-Bison 60, Wallace County 30

OTIS — The Cougars had to play four quarters but prevailed against a talented Wallace County (7-3) team.

Kevin Wissman rushed for 134 yards and three scores, and added 47 yards in the air as Otis finished the game with 351 yards of total offense. Michael Hlavaty rushed for 106 yards and added three touchdowns. Dylan Wissman finished with 64 yards and a score on the ground.

The Cougars jumped to a 22-0 lead and carried a 30-14 lead into the half. Otis pushed the lead to 44-22, then led 52-30 before Wallace County scored early in the fourth quarter.

Kevin Wissman picked up the final score on a 40-yard kick return to put an exclamation point on his evening.

The Cougars travel to play at Quivira Heights on Saturday.