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Hillsboro Trojans roll past Larned Indians 35-8
Jimmy Gardner run
Jimmy Gardner run - photo by Janet Fleske Special to the Tribune
The Hillsboro Trojans parlayed outstanding field position into a first-quarter score and continued that momentum in the second quarter as they jumped out to a 21-0 halftime lead on their way to a 35-8 Central Kansas League victory in Larned Friday evening. Larned’s first two possessions started on their own 18 and 19-yard lines and, moving against the wind, caused punting problems. Two short punts, against the wind, by Larned in the first quarter allowed the Trojans to take possession in Larned territory and they converted both times into touchdowns. The first came with 5:52 remaining in the first quarter when Anders Weisbeck, a 241 lb. Back, rambled 34 yards for a touchdown and a quick 7-0 lead. The second touchdown came in the second quarter following a 16-yard Larned punt. With 8:55 remaining Jesiah Gooch scored on a 2-yard run for a 13-0 lead and all of the momentum was on the Trojans side. Following an interception by Seth Driggers Hillsboro was set up again in Larned territory and with 3:03 remaining before halftime Gooch scored on another 2-yard run for his second touchdown and Hillsboro had a 21-0 lead to take to the halftime break. Larned took the second half kickoff and moved down the field on a 30-yard pass from quarterback Carson Shaver to Mason Miller. With 6:36 remaining in the third quarter Shaver connected with Miller on a 9-yard touchdown pass and a 2-point conversion was good on a pass to Tristan Regan and Larned trailed 21-8. Following the kickoff and two Hillsboro plays, Larned recovered a Trojan fumble on the 49-yard line and Larned seemingly had wrested momentum back on their side but Shaver’s third down pass was intercepted by Lincoln Wichert, ending the Larned threat. After regaining possession, Larned could not move the ball but punted to the Hillsboro 7-yard line. A big 41-yard touchdown run by quarterback Zayne Haslett keyed a 93-yard touchdown drive that culminated in a 28-8 lead with 1:12 left in the third stanza. Following a four-and-out possession by Larned, Hillsboro put together a drive that concluded with a 12-yard touchdown pass from Haslett to Weisbeck with 9:05 remaining in the game for the final score of 35-8. Hillsboro dominated the time of possession and field position, especially in the critical first half as theTrojans were building their lead. The Trojan defensive line caused problems all evening as they disrupted the Indian running game and passing game. Larned coach Brady Keith said, “They came out and hit us in the mouth and grabbed the momentum. We did not do a good job of blocking their defensive line and consequently we were not effective on offense. I didn’t do a good job of getting us ready to play and, credit Coach Cox of Hillsboro, his kids played well.” Jesiah Gooch led the Trojans with 98 yards rushing while quarterback Zayne Haslett added 86 as Hillsboro dominated the rushing game statistics. Haslett also completed 8 passes for 89 yards. Larned’s Jimmy Gardner totaled 42 rushing yards and Mason Miller had 39. Quarterback Carson Shaver completed five passes for 72 yards. Hillsboro evened their record at 1-1 and will travel to Hesston on Friday. Larned dropped to 1-1 and will travel to Pratt Friday for a Central Kansas League game.