BY BUDDY TABLER
Special to the Tribune
LARNED -- The Hillsboro Trojans roared to a 21-0 halftime and dominated Larned 35-8 in Friday's Central Kansas League.
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.
“Hillsboro came out and hit us in the mouth and grabbed the momentum,' said Larned coach Brady Keith. "We didn't do a good job of blocking their defensive line and 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.”
Hillsboro (1-1) travels to Hesston (1-1) and Larned (1-1) heads to Pratt (2-0) for Central Kansas League games.
Larned’s first two possessions started at the 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-pound 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.
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 7 14 7 7 -- 35
Larned 0 0 8 0-- 8
H--Anders Weisbeck 34 run (kick)
H--Jesiah Goocj 2 run (kick)
H--Gooch 2 run (kick)
L--Mason Miller 9 pass from Carson Shaver (Tristan Regan pass from Shaver)
H--Zayne Haslett 41 run (kick)
H--Weisbeck 12 pass from Haslett (kick)
