CHENEY 47, HOISINGTON 18
HOISINGTON — Defending 3A state champion Cheney converted seven Hoisington turnovers into a 47-18 non-league football victory over the Cardinals to extend their winning streak to 18 games. No. 2 state-ranked Cheney 5-0 drops Hoisington to 1-4.
Hoisington gained 213 yards rushing and 112 yards passing. But the Cardinals committed seven turnovers, a record under head coach Zach Baird.
Cardinal quarterback Rhen Galla completed a 38-yard touchdown pass to Carson Mason and a 34-yard touchdown strike to Mason Martin. Versatile Preston Merlau converted a 21-yard scoring run.
“Cheney is a good football team that is well coached,” Baird said. Their offensive line is really good. But you can’t make mistakes because they will make you pay. I’ve never seen us give away a game. That’s what we did. That’s disappointing.”
The Cardinals (1-4, 0-1) return to 2A District play against Lakin (4-1, 2-0) next week.
““Our guys battled,” Baird said. “I’m tickled pink with our group. Preston Merlau can do anything because he competes. He’s playing every position for us.”
Cheney quarterback Josh Burdick accounted for three rushing and three passing touchdowns, Burdick rushed for 91 yards and scored on 1, 6 and 8-yard runs. Deitric McDaniel, Jase Robertson and Nolan Durr caught touchdown passes. Cheney converted 24- and 25-yard scoring drives when the Cardinals recovered back-to-back kickoffs to start the second half for a 34-6 lead.
Cheney 14 6 14 13 — 47
Hoisington 0 6 6 6 — 18
C—Josh Burdick 1 run (Cody Robinson kick); C—Burdick 6 run (Grady Kuehn kick); H—Carson Mason 38 pass from Rhen Galla (kick fails); C—Deitric McDaniel 69 pass from Burdick (kick fails); C—Maximus Miller 6 run (Robinson kick); C—Jase Robertson 7 pass from Burdick (Robinson kick); H—Preston Merlau 21 run (pass fails); C—Nolan Durr 13 pass from Burdick (Robinson kick); C—Burdick 8 run (kick fails); H—Mason Martin 34 pass from Galla (pass fails)
RUSHING—C—Burdick 12-91; Miller 10-50; H—32-213; C.J. Bryant 6-94; Teron Kraft 8-59; Merlau 7-43; Galla 6-10; Mason 3-2; Kaidenn Chambers 2-5
PASSING—C—Burdick 232; H—Galla 6-10-0, 112
RECEIVING—C—McDaniel 104; Robinson 4-47; Caleb Martin; H—Mason 3-55, Martin 1-34; Merlau 1-15
2A DISTRICT 8
Lakin 2-0 4-1
Hoisington 1-0 1-4
Cimarron 1-1 1-4
Larned 0-1 1-4
SW Heights 0-2 2-3
10-4—Cheney 47, Hoisington 18; Lakin 64, SW Heights 0; Cimarron 33, Larned 8
10-11—Lakin at Hoisington; Cimarron at Hugoton; Larned at SW Heights
