BY JIM MISUNAS
jmisunas@gbtribune.com
When the Hoisington Cardinals challenge the Cimarron Bluejays in the 2A playoffs, it’s bound to be old-fashioned football.
Hoisington’s all-state tailback Wyatt Pedigo (1,642 yards, 22 TDs) is matched by Cimarron back Tate Seabolt (1,474 yards, 17 TDs).
The Bluejays average 372 yards rushing, the Cardinals 362 yards per game. Passing is definitely a second option. Cimarron averages 71 yards per game and the Cardinals 52 yards passing.
The Cardinals have beaten Cimarron 47-22, 76-19 and 48-6 in three of the past four years.
“This appears to be the best Cimarron team we’ve played, based on film,” said Hoisington coach Zac Baird. “They are a better football team that plays extremely hard. Seabolt does a good job getting to the edge and he’s an offensive weapon.”
The Cardinals lost to Pratt 34-0 in their opener and 51-21 to No. 1 ranked Phillipsburg. Five of six offensive linemen will return next season.
“Our guys have developed,” Baird said. “We take pride in our defense. But we haven’t been as good defensively as recent years. But our defensive line and secondary has played better football. We’re gaining a lot of experience.”
Quarterback Derek Boxberger has made the most improvement after replacing injured starter Mason Haxton, who has swung to receiver.
“Derek has developed into an accurate passer,” Baird said. “It’s nice to be balanced when you need it.”
CIMARRON (8-1)
L—Elkhart 20-27
W—Meade 44-6
W—Stanton Co. 66-8
W—SW Heights 58-12
W—Sterling 74-19
W—Lakin 18-14
W—Lyons 60-0
W—Ellinwood 56-0
W—Ellsworth 52-14
HOISINGTON (7-2)
L—Pratt 0-34
W—Nickerson 28-14
W—Larned 50-13
W—Hays-TMP 42-0
W—Ellsworth 48-14
W—Minneapolis 41-6
L—Phillipsburg 21-51
W—Norton 49-27
W—Sterling 38-13
RUSHING—H—405-3,265, 42 TDs; Wyatt Pedigo 149-1,642, 22 TDs; Zavier Robinson 48-488, 7 TDs; Braxton Donovan 65-424, 5 TDs; C—433-3,348, 45 TDs; Tate Seabolt 195-1,474, 17 TDs; Anthony Erives 81-754, 9 TDs; Dylan Harrison 41-257, 7 TDs
PASSING—H—Boxberger 33-55-3, 467, 3 TDs; C—Harrison 37-81, 590, 10 TDs
RECEIVING—H—Robinson 11-221, 1 TD; Pedigo 8-110, 2 TDs; Donovan 6-70; C—Erives 13-209, 2 TDs; Dylan Newton 5-141, 3 TDs
TACKLES—H—Pedigo 72 tackles, 8 for loss; Joshua Ball, 65; Kameron Schneweis 48; Donovan 48; C—Seth Ridenour 57; Oscar Macias 52; Matt Mowry 43
CARDINAL OFFENSE
WB—3 Xavier Robinson
WR—7 Mason Haxton
TE—8 Dallan Hutchcraft
QB—9 Derel Boxberger
WB—20 Braxton Donovan
TB—33 Wyatt Pedigo
LT—61 Nic Long
LG—63 Jacob Specht
RT—69 Kameron Schneweis
C—72 Chandler Blackwell
RG—79 Riley Philbern
CARDINAL DEFENSE
S—3 Xavier Robinson
CB—7 Mason Haxton
LE—8 Dallan Hutchcraft
QB—9 Derel Boxberger
WB—20 Braxton Donovan
OLB—27 Holt Hanzlick
TB—33 Wyatt Pedigo
OLB—34 Joshua Ball
RE—61 Nic Long
MLB—69 Kameron Schneweis
NG—79 Riley Philbern
2A WEST—SECOND ROUND
Garden Plain 6-3 at Hutchinson Trinity 8-1
Hoisington 7-2 at Cimarron 8-1
Chaparral 7-2 at Conway Springs 9-0
Lakin 8-1 at Phillipsburg 9-0
2A EAST—SECOND ROUND
Osage City 8-1 at Humboldt 9-0
Rossville 7-2 at Atchison Maur Hill 8-1
McLouth 5-4 at Silver Lake 8-0
SE Saline 8-1 at Riley County 7-2
