Hoisington christens new field against Eagles
The Ellinwood High School football team began the season by losing to Thomas More Prep-Marian, 27-6. In Week 2, the Eagles beat Larned, 42-19.
This week, the Eagles go up against Hoisington, which made it to the second round of the Class 3A state playoffs last season. The Cardinals take a 2-0 record into Friday night’s game in Hoisington at 7.
“We have stressed to the kids that they have the opportunity to be the new (Mid-Central Activities Association) champions,” Eagles head coach Monte Doll said. “If other teams handle their business, we have to win to be the champions.
“But we haven’t beaten Hoisington in six years, I think.”
Hoisington will be playing its first game on its new artificial turf field on Friday night. The Cardinals beat Sedgwick, 26-12, in Week 1 and defeated Medicine Lodge, 34-22, in Week 2.
Hoisington’s success thus far has been fueled by Taylor Stumma’s rushing performances. At Sedgwick, Stumma carried the ball 22 times for 171 yards and two touchdowns. Stumma also caught a 10-yard touchdown pass.
Against Medicine Lodge, Stumma had 19 carries for 123 yards and two touchdowns.
“Lonnie (Irvin, the Cardinals’ head coach) does a great job with his boys over there,” Doll said. “He runs his offense well and when you’re tired, that is when they break out a big play.
“So we are just working on staying focused and fighting for four quarters.”
The Eagles have spread the ball out for their touchdowns, but Chantz Clawson has emerged as the big threat from Ellinwood.
Clawson accounted for three of the Eagles’ six touchdowns last week against Larned. Clawson had 10 carries for 59 yards, along with two catches for 83 yards.
Macksville (1-1) at Fairfield (2-0)
The Macksville Mustangs faces 2-0 Fairfield in their first Eight-Man Division-I district game.
Mustangs head coach Jeff Kuckelman said that he is working on the team’s focus, and just getting better from week to week.
“There are different things we focus on based on what other teams like to do, but our main focus is for us to get better,” Kuckelman said. “We hope that if we get better, a lot of the other things will take care of themselves.
“This is the first week of district play, so along with that comes some added focus as well as them being 2-0.”
The Mustangs, coming off of a tough 36-30 loss to Quivira Heights, are preparing for the Falcons’ ground game.
“We have watched some film of Fairfield and they look pretty good, so we will have to be ready,” Kuckelman said. “They are a good running team and our focus this week will be to get our reads and fly to the football.”
Otis-Bison (2-0) at Chase (2-0)
A couple of 2-0 football teams meet when Chase hosts Otis-Bison.
The Cougars have yet to give up a point to their opponents, blanking St. John, 46-0 and Claflin, 52-0.
Chase beat Wilson in Week 1 in a much-closer game, 48-44. In Week 2, however, the Kats shut out Tescott, 48-0.
St. John (1-1) at Quivira Heights (2-0)
The Quivira Heights’ running game will be the crucial for the Thunderbirds in their Friday matchup against St. John.
St. John gave up 416 rushing yards in Week 1 against Otis-Bison before tightening up to shut out Western Plains, 58-0.
Nick Schepmann has rushed for 223 yards and four touchdowns, leading Quivira Heights over Claflin, 40-8 and Macksville, 36-30.
Little River (1-1) at Claflin (0-2)
Claflin looks for its first win against Little River Friday night.
The Wildcats have had a tough first two weeks in Eight-Man play, losing to rival Quivira Heights, 40-8, and then to Otis-Bison, 52-0.
The Redskins beat White City, 40-8, but lost to Centre, 42-6.
Thomas More Prep-Marian (1-1)
at Larned (0-2)
The Larned Indians will attempt to bounce back from their first league loss — 42-19 to Ellinwood — when they host Thomas More Prep-Marian, another MCAA opponent.
Larned lost to La Crosse, 51-6, and Ellinwood.
TMP beat Ellinwood in its season opener, 27-6. The Monarchs then lost to Russell, 16-8.
Pawnee Heights (0-2) at Bucklin (0-2)
Pawnee Heights started the season 0-2, but so has its opponent on Friday, Bucklin.
The Tigers began the season by giving up a national record-tying 10 touchdowns to Jetmore’s Evan Kreger during a 74-8 loss in a game that was stopped at halftime because of the mercy rule. The Tigers were shut out, 48-0, by Fowler.
Bucklin has seen more production from its offense in the first two weeks. After scoring 12 points in their first game, against Ingalls, the Red Aces were able to more than double that output against Ashland, 76-28.
Stafford (1-1) at Central Christian (0-2)
After the beating the Stafford Trojans put on Burrton in Week 2, they look to keep their success going against Central Christian on Friday night.
The Trojans bounced back after losing to Skyline, 50-14, to shut out Burrton on the road, 48-0.
Central Christian has lost to Canton-Galva, 60-14, and Norwich, 44-0.
