BY BUDDY TABLER

Special to the Tribune

LARNED – The Larned Indians used a crushing running game to overwhelm the Lyons Lions 54-0 in Friday's Central Kansas League showdown. With the outside speed of Brady Hope and the crushing inside running of Luke Fischer, the Indians jumped out to a 13-0 first quarter lead and continued the assault.

Larned's defense did its work, not allowing Lyons a first half, first down for a 40-0 halftime lead. The Indian defensive line penetrated into their backfield after snaps. It was a performance that helped erase the aftershock from a 67-0 loss to Pratt.

"We needed this game," said Larned coach Tad Remy. "We needed to get off on the right foot. We did that in our first two possessions."

Larned had 312 yards rushing, led by Hope’s 161 yards and four scores. Fischer gained 137 yards and two touchdowns while Pontius rushed for 74 yards and scores. Pontius completed five passes for 71 yards.

"Using the running game of Hope and Fischer,  Hope scampered 38 yards for a touchdown for a 6-0 lead. Fischer rambled 9 yards for a touchdown and a 13-0 lead. The drive was keyed by two long runs from quarterback Riley Pontius.

Hope scored on a 9-yard run on the first play of the second quarter for a 19-0 lead. The Indians scored at the 9:47, 6:52 and 3:28 marks for a 40-0 halftime advantage. Hope scored four first-half touchdowns.

"Our game plan was to establish our run game," Remy said. "Brady Hope is a shifty runner with good moves. Luke Fischer bulls into tacklers. Quarterback Riley Pontius had terrific runs. Our plan was to call his number with some designed run plays."

The second half was played with a running clock. 

Pontius scored on 10-and 18-yard second-half runs.

Lyons was led by Kevin Soto’s 54 yards. Lyons gained 53 yards. Quarterback Solomon Goforth, under intense pressure, completed nine passes for 90 yards.

“I was really happy with our defense," Remy said. "We put pressure on the Lyons quarterback. Our defensive backs supported the run well. We did a good job in pass coverage.”

Lyons 0 0 0 0 – 0

Larned 13 27 14 0 – 54

L–Hope 38 pass from Pontius; L–Fischer 9 run; L–Hope 9 run; L–Hope 15 run; L–Hope 35 run; L–Fischer 5 run; L–Pontius 10 run;  L–Pontius 18 run 

RUSHING–Lyons–17-53; Soto 13-54, Braxton 1-2, Scobee 1-1, Goforth 2-(-4); L–312; Hope 13-161; Fischer 14-137; Pontius 6-74

PASSING–Lyons–Goforth 9-26-1, 90; L–Pontius 5-11-0, 71

RECEIVING–Lyons–Showalter 12-58, Luck 7-29, Fuentes 2-3, Stanley 2-0