HOISINGTON – Garden Plain discovered the cold, hard truth – it's Wyatt Pedigo's world and we're all just living in it.
Hoisington’s all-state fullback Pedigo crumpled Garden Plain's Trey Smith on an early play and steamrolled to five touchdowns and 243 yards in the Cardinals' 48-22 quarterfinal football victory Friday.
Pedigo has shattered Hunter Hanzlick's school rushing record and pushed his career rushing total to 5,070 yards. Pedigo scored on runs of 1, 3, 5, 6 and 73 yards. Middle linebacker Pedigo intercepted a pass and contributed 10 tackles.
The Cardinals scored seven touchdowns and gained 466 yards rushing behind the senior quartet of center Chandler Blackwell, guards Riley Philbern and Cade Boxberger and tackles Kameron Schneweis and Jacob Specht.
“The offensive line played great again. I couldn’t do anything without those big guys,” Pedigo said. “Our offense played really well. We were explosive on offense and ran north and south like we want to because our line got movement.”
Hoisington quarterback Mason Haxton scored on 20- and 42-yard rushing touchdowns and gained 197 yards.
“This is a team effort. It’s fun and enjoyable to help my team,” Haxton said. “Our offensive line is always working day-in, day-out. They’re got the job done. Of course, anytime you give the ball to Wyatt Pedigo, we’re good.”
Hoisington (11-0) advances to next week’s 2A semifinal at Norton (8-3). The Cardinals downed the Bluejays 38-7 in their first meeting.
“It’s a great all-around effort. Our guys up front got off the football, where it all starts,” said Hoisington coach Zach Baird. “All our backs, runners and blockers, played with great effort. Mason Haxton made great reads.”
The Cardinals led 20-6 at haltime fueled by 260 yards rushing. Pedigo scored on a dazzling 73-yard touchdown, sprung by a perfect block by Cole Steinert. The Cardinals gained 250 first-half yards on 25 attempts.
Avery Brewer’s interception set up the Cardinals’ 41-yard scoring drive. Garden Plain answered with a 62-yard touchdown run by Matt Pauly. The Cardinals closed with a 20-yard touchdown by Mason Haxton and Pedigo's vintage 73-yard score.
The game swung when the Cardinals stopped the Owls at the 3-yard line and 7-yard line when Avery Brewer knocked down a fourth-down pass.
“When you play good football teams, it comes down to making a few plays,” Baird said. “Hunter Morris did a nice job at cornerback on their receiver Trey Smith.”
The Cardinals answered the Owls’ 18-yard pass to Trey Smith with four second-half scores, three by Pedigo and Haxton’s 42-yard touchdown dash. Garden Plain rushed for 322 yards as Matt Pauly gained 159 yards and Blake Long gained 93 yards.
Garden Plain 6 0 8 8 – 22
Hoisington 7 13 14 14 – 48
H—Wyatt Pedigo 3 run (Jaime Echanove kick)—2:54; GP—Matt Pauly 62 run (kick blocked)—2:09; H—Mason Haxton 20 run (kick failed)—9:49; H—Pedigo 73 run (Echanove kick)—3:30; GP—Trey Smith 18 pass from M. Pauly (Jordan Thomas pass from M. Paul)—7:04; H—Pedigo 6 run (Echanove kick)—5:52; H—Haxton 42 run (Echanove kick)—3:53; GP—Blake Long 3 run (Marek Rex pass from M. Pauly)—11:54; H—Pedigo 1 run (Echanove kick)—5:23; H—Pedigo 5 run (Echanove kick)—3:00
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
RUSHING—GP—48-322; M. Pauly 17-156; Blake Long 18-93; Mnowak 1-3; Tranden Daerr 12-70; H—47-466; Pedigo 25-243; Haxton 13-197; Hunter Morris 3-8; Legend Robinson 26; Cole Steinert 1-6; Cade Mason 1-4; Ryan Woydziak 2-2.
PASSING—GP—M. Pauly 3-16-2, 44; H—Haxton, 0-1-0.
RECEIVING—GP—Smith 2-37; Daerr 1-7.
