BY JIM MISUNAS
jmisunas@gbtribune.com
HOISINGTON — The Hoisington Cardinals enjoy a winning football history with the Hays Thomas More Monarchs, riding an eight-game winning streak since a 20-0 loss in 2003. The Cardinals lead the series 17-4 over the past 29 years.
The Cardinals (8-1) will test the Monarchs (7-2) in Friday’s second-round 2A playoff game. The Cardinals have swept 23 consecutive home games and own an 8-game home playoff streak.
Cardinal TB Legend Robinson has gained 1,683 yards with 24 touchdowns behind an offensive line of LG Spencer Mintz, LT Sam Baldyga, C Logan Philbern, RG Caiden Hoffman, RT Cole Gilliand and TE Gage Britt.
QB Wyatt Wikum has rushed for 605 yards and five scores and passed for 423 yards with four scores. Chase Steinert (4.7 tackles), Legend Robinson (4.2) and Cole Gilliland (4 tackles) key a balanced defense.
“We’re looking to execute our game plan,” said Hoisington coach Zach Baird. “We’re gaining confidence as a football team.”
Monarchs Kenton Ginther and Jace Wentling scored on interception returns in a 42-18 victory over Minneapolis. QB Kade Harris completed a 41-yard touchdown to Wentling and a 57-yard score to Mark Rack. Andrew Schwartz and Griffin Schumacher scoreed rushing touchdowns.
The Monarchs’ defense has pitched four shutouts. Sophomores Kendall Walker and Kolton Hagans lead the offensive and defensive lines that run quarterback run, isolation plays and counters.
“They;ve got some nice offensive players and they’re solid up front,” Baird said. “No. 76 Kendall Walker is a good football player.”
CARDINAL OFFENSE—QB 6 Wyatt Wikum, FB 3 Legend Robinson, C 62 Logan Philbern, RG 76 Caiden Hoffman, RT 75 Cole Gilliland, LG 54 Spencer Mintz, LT 70 Sam Baldyga, TE 30 Gage Britt, WR 4 Leyton Haxton, 2 WR Chase Steinert, WR 11 Tony Moore
CARDINAL DEFENSE—RE 52 Chase Meier, NG 76 Hoffman, LE 75 Gilliland, MLB 3 L. Robinson, OLB 8 Ian Smith, OLB 30 Britt, CB 12 Mason Alderdice, CB 20 Jason Robinson, S 2 Steinert, S 6 Wikum
MACKSVILLE (5-4) at GOESSEL (7-2)
Macksville avenged a 54-14 loss to Medicine Lodge with a dominating 64-30 victory for its first playoff win since 2017. QB Ryan Kuckelman gained 195 yards and scored two TDs. C Gustavo Portillo, G Fabian Ortiz, G Isaiah Rose and TE Lance Lickiss anchor an improving offensive line.
‘‘We didn’t show up and execute the first time. After we got beat like that, we woke up,” said Macksville coach Kyle Bright. “We started playing a lot better football. We were focused as a football team and ran the football right at them.”
Portillo’s shift from guard to center solidified the line.
“Gutsavo is smart and we’ve gotten better up front,” Bright said. “Our blocking on the edges has gotten better.”
At 6-foot-6, Kuckelman is a rare commodity. Jason Cleveland scored three TDs and Hector Gomez scored twice last week.
“People forget Ryan’s the state 400-meter champion,” Bright said. “He’s quicker than he might appear and can make tacklers miss. When our other backs Jason Cleveland and Hector Gomez run, they’ve got the speed to make the defense pay.”
Goessel rallied from a 30-20 deficit for a 44-36 overtime victory over Skyline. Skyler Wuest caught a 2-point converion for a a 36-36 tie. Grant Bryant’s interception preserved the victory after Jake Wiens’ touchdown run. Wiens rushed for 98 yards scored three TDs. Bryant passed for 90 yards and two scores. Kacen Smith gained 72 yards.
“Goessel is good with three fast backfield guys,” Bright said. “It’s a challnenge on defense. They’ll throw play-action passes. They’re all good football teams now.”
MUSTANG OFFENSE—QB 15 Ryan Kuckelman, TB 12 Jason Cleveland, LG 75 Fabian Ortiz, C 77 Gustavo Portillo, RG 81 Isaiah Rose, TE 14 Lance Lickiss, WR 13 Rogelio Ibarra, WR 8 Alvaro Ibarra
MUSTANG DEFENSE—LE 9 Brayan Ibarra, NG 77 Portillo, RE Alvaro Ibarra, MLB 15 Kuckelman, MLB 81 Rose, CB 13 Rogelio Ibarra, CB 14 Lickiss, S Cleveland
