LARNED — With the Mid-Central Activities Association title on the line, the Larned High School football team couldn’t buy a break.
On the other hand, Hoisington was able to score in every facet of the game in a 60-14 stomping on Friday night.
“Our kids are playing great,” Hoisington head coach Jason Ingram said. “They are keeping that level of intensity, that level of focus that they need, and we’re just really pleased with the tight-knit group that we have here.”
The Cardinals will have a chance to capture the league title in Week 9 at Thomas More Prep Marian in Hays.
Penalties, which dogged both teams throughout the game, hurt Larned on the first play from scrimmage when Indians quarterback Easton Palmer was flagged for intentional grounding.
Larned went three-and-out, giving the Cardinals the ball 40 yards from the goal line.
Hoisington quarterback Hagan Hanzlick capped the drive with a 9-yard touchdown pass to Brandon Ball.
Hanzlick threw for two touchdowns in the game, the second being a 69-yard bomb to Jacob Durrett.
The senior also rushed for a pair of TDs on 69- and 38-yard sprints in the first half. He rushed for a team-leading 190 yards.
“He did a great job,” Ingram said of Hanzlick. “He ran the ball well. He threw the ball well, but again, he can’t do what he does without our offensive line. He can’t do what he does without our fullback and tailback. They both ran well tonight, too.”
Peyton Bullard returned an interception 40 yards for a touchdown, and Cayton Janousek recovered a fumbled snap during a Larned punt for a score.
Down 35-0, Larned started to show life in the second half.
“I’m just one big, walking inspiration,” Larned head coach AB Stokes said of trying to get his team fired up for the second half. “I’m always trying to inspire or motivate. I told these guys, football is a game that will kick you while you’re down, but it’s the best thing in the world when you’re winning. I told them to go out and play football the way you know how to play.
“We came out with some intensity.”
Trey Kraisinger, replacing Palmer at quarterback, completed a 10-yard pass to Jamil Shoemaker for a score.
Kraisinger completed 7 of 13 passes for 86 yards. He threw two interceptions.
Larned running back Brady Keith cruised to a 47-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter. He finished with 151 yards.
However, Hoisington scored three touchdowns in the fourth, scoring on runs from Avery Urban and Chris Jonas.
Cameron Richter returned a kickoff 69 yards for a TD.
Hoisington was without 6-foot-8 tight end Cody Stetler, who was out with an injury.
“He has a partially torn (medial collateral ligament),” Ingram said. “We’re hoping to get him back around TMP or the playoffs, but we just don’t know. We’re looking out for the young man and his best interests.”
Hoisington (3-3) travels to Scott City to start Class 3A District 15 play in Week 7.
Larned (3-3) hits the road to challenge Ulysses in 4A District 14 action.

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL

Friday

At Larned

Hoisington 60, Larned 14
                      1      2     3     4           F
Hoisington    21    14    6    12  —    60
Larned           0      0     6     8   —    14

SCORING SUMMARY
First Quarter
Hoisington — Brandon Ball 9 pass from Hagan Hanzlick (kick failed), 7:05.
Hoisington — Hanzlick 69 run (Chance Demel run), 3:45.
Hoisington — Peyton Bullard 40 interception return (Ball kick), 49.8.
Second Quarter
Hoisington — Cayton Janousek fumble recovery (Ball kick), 5:28.
Hoisington — Hanzlick 38 run (Ball kick), 1:39.
Third Quarter
Larned — Jamil Shoemaker 10 pass from Trey Kraisinger (kick failed), 6:06.
Hoisington — Jacob Durrett 69 pass from Hanzlick (pass failed), 4:22.
Fourth Quarter
Hoisington — Avery Urban 15 run (Ball kick), 9:59.
Larned — Brady Keith 47 run (Keith run), 8:08.
Hoisington — Cameron Richter 69 kickoff return (Kick failed), 8:08.
Hoisington — Chris Jonas 14 run (run failed), 2:01.