Cardinals earn rematch with Trojans
BY JIM MISUNAS
HOISINGTON – The Hoisington Cardinals have payback on their mind Friday after losing 44-21 to Southeast of Saline in last year’s 2A football quarterfinals. The Cardinals (27-23 all-time) have reached the quarterfinals six times in school history.
“They remember that’s the team that ended their football season last year,” said Hoisington coach Zach Baird. “It’s a chance for payback for last year’s seniors. We remember how sound Southeast played on the perimeter. They gave us a bunch of looks defensively.”
Hoisington (10-0) finished as 2A state runner-up in 2020 and reached the semifinals before losing to Hesston (2016), Phillipsburg (2018) and Norton (2019). The game will be aired on 100.7-FM.
Statistically, the offensive teams are evenly matched. The Cardinals average 285 yards rushing and 117 yards passing. The Trojans average 255 yards rushing and 130 yards passing.
Quarterback Tony Moore has thrown for 1,169 yards and 16 touchdowns. He’s rushed for 539 yards with six scores. Fullback Teron Kraft averages 119 yards rushing with 955 yards and 10 touchdowns. Wingback Mason Alderdice has 524 yards rushing and 10 scores.
“Tony has the ability to be a dual threat guy who’s the best passing quarterback I’ve coached,” Baird said. “We have as many offensive weapons to throw to other than our state championship game year.”
Baird likes the Cardinals’ offensive balance with multiple backs contributing.
“We’re blessed with players who are athletically gifted and minded,” he said. “Our coaches do a great job stressing that certain things need to get done to be successful. Everyone is in good playing shape. But we play as many guys as possible on Friday nights to keep players fresh.”
Trojan quarterback Daniel Kejr averages 208 yards offense with 1,270 yards passing and 11 TDs and 818 yards rushing and 12 scores.
Nathan Friesen leads the run game with 915 yards and 18 TDs and Grady Gebhardt has 424 yards and eight scores. Tucker Thaxton has scored seven times with 705 yards receiving. Cameron Witte has 333 yards receiving.
Last week, Friesen rushed for 126 yards. Kejr gained 99 yards and passed for 152 yards and two scores.
“Southeast is an up-temp offense that uses no huddle,” Baird said. “They’ll run more designed quarterback runs than we do. They are a talented football team.”
The Cardinals have forced 21 turnovers. Jason Robinson leads the defense with six interceptions and Mason Alderdice had four interceptions. Ian Smith averages seven tackles and Brady Reif averages six tackles.
“The game doesn’t change. We’ll emphasize blocking and tackling,” Baird said.
SE SALINE (10-0)—Rock Creek 26-7; Beloit 52-6; Minneapolis 60-6; Halstead 24-0; Clay Center 22-17; Hillsboro 46-14; Lyons 60-7; Ellsworth 30-0; Chaparral 56-7; Kingman 36-28
HOISINGTON (11-0)—Hesston 39-7; Halstead 38-14; Lyons 60-0; SW Heights 63-6; Pratt 27-19; Lakin 63-15; Larned 34-6; Cimarron 67-20; Phillipsburg 46-8; Beloit 35-6; SE Saline 49-42
CARDINAL OFFENSE—QB 11 Tony Moore; FB 5 Teron Kraft; WB 8 Ian Smith; WB 4 Mason Alderdice; 30 TE Gage Britt; 2 WR Mason Martin; 72 LT Brayden Stevenson; 60 LG Exavier Chambers; 69 C Caleb Birzer; RT Colin Mater; 76 RG Caiden Hoffman
CARDINAL DEFENSE—6 S Jason Robinson; 17 S Carson Mason; 2 CB Mason Martin; 4 CB Mason Alderdice; 5 MLB Teron Kraft; 8 MLB Ian Smith; OLB 20 Taylen Morales; OLB 30 Gage Britt; NG 76 Caiden Hoffman; 69 DE Caleb Birzer; 72 DE Brayden Stevenson
NORTON OFFENSE—1 WR Tyce Melvin; 10 QB Eli Jones; 17 TE Roman Hauser; 21 WR Bodie Pfannenstiel; 32 SB Logan Pfannenstiel; 35 TB Brennen Pfannenstiel; 55 LT Traven Enfield; 57 RT Colton Stover; 60 RG Corbin Puga; 69 LG Brody Mullins; 70 C Connor Schoenberger
NORTON DEFENSE—1 OLB Tyce Melvin; 3 CB Jatin Weigel; 6 S Dominic Vahling; 10 MLB Eli Jones; 17 RE Roman Hauser; 21 CB Bodie Pfannenstiel; 35 MLB Brennen Pfannenstiel; 55 LE Traven Enfield; 57 RT Colton Stover; 60 LT Corbin Puga; 69 NG Brody Mullins
HOISINGTON PLAYOFFS (29-23)
2023—Hoisington 46, Phillipsburg 8; Hoisington 35, Beloit 6; Hoisington 49, SE Saline 42; Hoisington 30, Norton 21; Hoisington 12-0 vs. Nemaha Central 12-0
2022—Hoisington 42, Phillipsburg 18; Hoisington 28, Russell 22; SE Saline 44, Hoisington 21
2021—Hoisington 35, Ellis 14; Hays-TMP 36, Hoisington 27
2020—Hoisington 47, Ellis 0; Hoisington 1, Cimarron 0; Hoisington 28, Garden Plain 14; Hoisington 26, Beloit 0; CHAMPIONSHIP— Rossville 27, Hoisington
20
2019—Hoisington 47, SW Heights 0; Hoisington 48, Lakin 7; Hoisington 48, Garden Plain 22; Norton 10, Hoisington 8
2018—Hoisington 38, Sterling 13, Hoisington 41, Cimarron 18; Hoisington 30, Hutchinson Trinity 0; Phillipsburg 31, Hoisington 14
2017—Hoisington 47, Cimarron 22; Phillipsburg 35, Hoisington 6
2016—Hoisington 56, Lakin 13; Hoisington 20, Norton 0; Hoisington 49, Garden Plain 8; Hesston 35, Hoisington 19
2015—Hoisington 76, Cimarron 19; Hoisington 50, Washington County 6; Halstead 44, Hoisington 6
2014—Hoisington 48, Cimarron 6; Minneapolis 17, Hoisington 14
2013—Holcomb 21, Hoisington 6
2012—Holcomb 28, Hoisington 7
2009—Hoisington 35, Phillipsburg 6; Scott City 41, Hoisington 7
2008—Beloit 52, Hoisington 20
2007—Hoisington 55, Holcomb 25; Hoisington 45, Sacred Heart 35; Garden Plain 55, Hoisington 7
2006—Hoisington 41, Holcomb 28; Sacred Heart 48, Hoisington 45
2005—Hesston 21, Hoisington 0
2004—SE of Saline 20, Hoisington 19
2002—Phillipsburg 14, Hoisington 13
1998—Smith Center 74, Hoisington 0
1997—Smith Center 50, Hoisington 14
1992—Holcomb 20, Hoisington 14
1990—Hoisington 6, Belleville 3; Chase County 7, Hoisington 6
1986—Andale 21, Hoisington 6
