BY JIM MISUNAS
jmisunas@gbtribune.com
HOISINGTON — The loss of two key players Cole Gilliland and Braden Mooney has forced Hoisington football coach Zach Baird to shuffle on the run entering Friday's 2A quarterfinal showdown against Garden Plain.
Fortunately, the Cardinals earned an extra week of practice after Cimarron was forced to forfeit last week's second round 2A playoff game.
It gave freshman right guard Caiden Hoffman (6-3, 275) extra time to join an offensive line featuring tackles Joshua Ball and Legend Robinson, center Logan Philbern, left guard Nolan Wilborn and tight end Cole Steinert.
"The off week gave us more time to shuffle players around and get things together," Baird said. "Extra practice time has been huge for us. It's given us more time to prepare for this week. Losing some timing worries me a little. My biggest concern is that we play the game the right way with the right mindset. We've got to make sure we're ready to go."
The Cardinals played their most complete game with a 47-0 playoff victory over Ellis, which gives Baird optimism.
"We're not a football team that will overpower anybody, but we've got good team speed that we take advantage of," Baird said. "We'd love to put things together for four quarters."
Garden Plain is a familiar playoff opponent. The Cardinals defeated Garden Plain 48-22 in 2019 and 49-8 in 2016. Garden Plain averages 235 yards rushing keyed by TB Reed Adelhardt (966, 10 TDs), QB Traden Daerr (480, 5 TDs) and RB Jeb Nowak (389, 5 TDs). Daerr has thrown for 388 yards and six TDs. Travis Scheer (300, 5 TDs) and WR Colby Haukup (246, 5 TDs) lead the receivers. The Owls will run similar running plays from 3-back or 1-back formations.
"When you've played a team before you get a good feel for their players," Baird said. "They've got good players and they'll run a few base plays. They're definitely a run-oriented football team. We want to fit our gaps defensively."
The Cardinals average 308 yards rushing keyed by Holt Hanzlick (762, 12 TDs), Joshua Ball (632, 10 TDs), Hunter Morris (377, 8 TDs), Cole Steinert (322, 5 TDs). Mason Haxton (307, 1 TD) and Cade Mason (266, 2 TDs). QB Haxton has thrown for 613 yards and eight touchdowns. WR Chase Robinson (161, 4 TDs), Morris (186, 2 TDs) and Dylan Richards (144) lead the receivers.
"We love our balance in the backfield, but we've done a good job hitting big plays on the passing game," Baird said. "Our offensive line has done a good job providing time to throw the football."
LB Hanzlick (7.2 tpg), Steinert (5.7 tpg) and Joshua Ball (4.7 tpg) and Chase Robinson (4.7 tpg) lead the defense. Dylan Richards and Robinson each have two interceptions. Ball has four fumble recoveries.
CARDINAL OFFENSE—LT 51 Joshua Ball, 5-11, 190, 12; LG 70 Nolan Wilborn, 5-11, 202, 12; C 62 Logan Philbern, 6-0, 225, 12; RG 76 Caiden Hoffman, 6-3, 275, 9, RT 69 Legend Robinson, 6-0, 180, 12; TE 3 Cole Steinert, 5-11, 167, 12; QB 7 Mason Haxton, 6-1, 177, 12; FB 27 Holt Hanzlick; SB; SB/WR 1 Cade Mason, 5-10, 157, 12; SB/WR 25 Hunter Morris, 5-8, 177, 12; WR 22 Chase Robinson, 6-2, 188, 12
CARDINAL DEFENSE—DE 51 Joshua Ball; NG 62 Logan Philbern/76 Caiden Hoffman; DE 70 Nolan Wilborn; LB 3 Cole Steinert; OLB 1 Cade Mason; OLB 27 Holt Hanzlick; LB 69 Legend Robinson; CB 25 Hunter Morris; CB 15 Dylan Richards, 5-8, 150, 12; S 6 Wyatt Wikum, 5-11, 155, 11; S 22 Chase Robinson
HOISINGTON PLAYOFF HISTORY (21-20)
2020—Hoisington 47, Ellis 0; Hoisington 1, Cimarron 0; Hoisington 28, Garden Plain 14; Hoisington vs. Beloit
2019—Hoisington 47, SW Heights 0; Hoisington 48, Lakin 7; Hoisington 48, Garden Plain 22; Norton 10, Hoisington 8
2018—2A—Hoisington 38, Sterling 13, Hoisington 41, Cimarron 18; Hoisington 30, Hutchinson Trinity 0; Phillipsburg 31, Hoisington 14
2017—3A—Hoisington 47, Cimarron 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
