BY JIM MISUNAS
jmisunas@gbtribune.com
HOISINGTON — It’s strength versus strength when Hoisington High’s run-oriented offense meets Hutchinson Trinity’s aggressive defense.
With the high temperature projected at 33 degrees with wind chills in the 20s, it’s a perfect recipe for the Cardinals’ home cooking at Elton Brown Field.
Friday’s 2A football playoff quarterfinal matches the Cardinals, averaging 362 yards against the Celtics’ rugged defense. Hoisington’s all-state tailback Wyatt Pedigo (1,764 yards, 25 TDs) keys the offense behind center Chandler Blackwell, guards Riley Philbern and Jacob Specht, tackles Kameron Schneweis and Nic Long and tight end Dallan Hutchcraft.
“Wyatt Pedigo is a big, strong fast back,” said Hoisington coach Zac Baird. “If you give him a crease, he’s dangerous. We’ve done a great job getting our backs into space.”
Big-play back Xavier Robinson gained 171 yards with two TDs last week. Halfback Braxton Donovan and backup quarterback Mason Haxton (66 yards) helped the Cardinals gained 436 yards against Cimarron. Derek Boxberger and Haxton share time at quarterback.
“We’ve got two really good quarterbacks that provide different looks,” Baird said. “We have some packages in for Mason Haxton,”
Linebacker Zane Schroeder leads the Celtics with 11 tackles per game and safety Kaleb Hammeke has five interceptions.
Conway Springs and Chaparral exploited Hutchinson Trinity for long-yardage plays, the two games the Celtics yielded more than one touchdown.
“Their defense plays hard and fast,” Baird said. “Their defensive line is good and their linebackers are solid. Hammeke is the best secondary player we’ve seen.”
The Cardinals’ defense featured two goal-line stops and limited Cimarron to 84 yards rushing. Hammeke is a dual-threat quarterback who engineers the Celtics’ balanced offense. The Celtics prefer to run the football from a spread formation.
“Our defense played really good in the red zone,” Baird said. “We had guys step up. Wyatt Pedigo caused a couple fumbles.”
Baird liked the Cardinals’ poise despite a trio of turnovers last week.
“Our guys did a fantastic job when something bad happened,” he said. “We hung in there and fought. I’m happy for our five seniors. Going on the road and getting a playoff victory is special.”
HUTCHINSON TRINITY (9-1)
W—Marion 26-0
W—Inman 38-0
W—Ell-Saline 8-6
L—Conway Springs 8-22
W—Garden Plain 20-7
W—Wichita Independent 52-0
W—Remington 24-6
W—Chaparral 26-22
W—Belle Plaine 58-0
W—Garden Plain 16-7
HOISINGTON (8-2)
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
W—Cimarron 41-18
RUSHING—H—464-3,703, 47 TDs; Wyatt Pedigo 170-1,764, 25 TDs; Xavier Robinson 61-659, 9 TDs; Braxton Donovan 77-476, 5 TDs; HT—349-2,142, 27 TDs—Aaron Guerrero 128-712, 8 TDs; Kaleb Hammeke 85-653, 11 TDs; Andrew Bergmeier 43-262, 3 TDs; Nolan Clarke 21-159
PASSING—H—Boxberger 36-59-3, 507, 3 TDs; HT—Hammeke 61-103-4, 7 TDs
RECEIVING—H—Robinson 12-236, 1 TD; Pedigo 10-135, 3 TDs; Donovan 6-70; HT—Clarke 36-332, 3 TDs; Isaac Miller 15-262, 3 TDs; Ryan 10-119, 1 TD
TACKLES—H—Pedigo 82 tackles, 8 for loss; Joshua Ball, 73; Donovan 57; Kameron Schneweis 49; HT—Zane Schroeder 114; Landon Neufeld 71; Evan Remar 69; Alex Hammersmith 60
CARDINAL OFFENSE
WB—3 Xavier Robinson
WR—7 Mason Haxton
TE—8 Dallan Hutchcraft
QB—9 Derek Boxberger/7 Mason Haxton
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
S—20 Braxton Donovan
OLB—27 Holt Hanzlick
CB—31 Quincy Cross
MLB—33 Wyatt Pedigo
OLB—34 Joshua Ball
RE—61 Nic Long
MLB—69 Kameron Schneweis
NG—79 Riley Philbern
FRIDAY'S 2A QUARTERFINALS
Hutchinson Trinity 9-1 at Hoisington 8-2
Philllipsburg 10-0 at Conway Springs 10-0
Humboldt 10-0 at Rossville 8-2
Riley Co. 8-2 at Silver Lake 10-0
SECOND ROUND
Hutchinson Trinity 16, Garden Plain 7
Hoisington 41, Cimarron 18
Conway Springs 21, Chaparral 14
Phillipsburg 41, Lakin 0
Humboldt 30, Osage City 6
Rossville 21, Atchison Maur Hill 14
Silver Lake 63, McLouth 12
Riley Co. 33, SE Saline 14
FIRST ROUND
Garden Plain 45, Douglass 6
Hutchinson Trinity 58, Belle Plaine 0
Cimarron 52, Ellsworth 14
Hoisington 38, Sterling 13
Conway Springs 66, Eureka 6
Chaparral 55, Fredonia 0
Phillipsburg 55, SW Heights 12
Lakin 44, Norton 14
Humboldt 52, West Franklin 15
Osage City 28, SE Cherokee 6
Maur Hill 27, Mission Valley 18
Rossville 36, Pleasant Ridge 14
Silver Lake 66, Riverton 0
McLouth 48, Jayhawk-Linn 26
Riley Co. 45, Wathena Riverside 0
SE Saline 26, Nemaha Central 13
HOISINGTON PLAYOFF HISTORY (14-18)
2018—2A—Hoisington 38, Sterling 13, Hoisington 41, Cimarron 18; Hutchinson Trinity at Hoisington
2017—3A—Hoisington 47, Cimarrron 22; Phillipsburg 35, Hoisington 6
2016—3A—Hoisington 56, Lakin 13; Hoisington 20, Norton 0; Hoisington 49, Garden Plain 8; Hesston 35, Hoisington 19
2015—3A—Hoisington 76, Cimarron 19; Hoisington 50, Washington County 6; Halstead 44, Hoisington 6
2014—3A—Hoisington 48, Cimarron 6; Minneapolis 17, Hoisington 14
2013—3A—Holcomb 21, Hoisington 6
2012—3A—Holcomb 28, Hoisington 7
2009—3A—Hoisington 35, Phillipsburg 6; Scott City 41, Hoisington 7
2008—3A—Beloit 52, Hoisington 20
2007—3A—Hoisington 55, Holcomb 25; Hoisington 45, Sacred Heart 35; Garden Plain 55, Hoisington 7
2006—3A—Hoisington 41, Holcomb 28; Sacred Heart 48, Hoisington 45
2005—3A—Hesston 21, Hoisington 0
2004—3A—SE of Saline 20, Hoisington 19
2002—3A—Phillipsburg 14, Hoisington 13
1998—3A—Smith Center 74, Hoisington 0
1997—3A—Smith Center 50, Hoisington 14
1992—3A—Holcomb 20, Hoisington 14
1990—3A—Hoisington 6, Belleville 3; Chase County 7, Hoisington 6
1986—4A—Andale 21, Hoisington 6
