Hoisington High’s second football playoff challenge takes the Cardinals to Minneapolis for a 7 p.m. Class 3A showdown Saturday.
Hunter Hanzlick rushed for five first-half touchdowns and 196 yards to spark the Cardinals past Cimarron 48-6 for their first playoff victory since 2009.
The Cardinals rushed for 315 yards and added 20 yards passing. Zade Sanders recovered two fumbles and Justin Bradley returned a fumble for a touchdown. Steffan Dolechek also scored a touchdown.
The Cardinals average 297 yards rushing behind Hanzlick while Minneapolis averages 160 yards passing per game.
The teams have one common opponent. The Cardinals beat Ellsworth 60-6 while Minneapolis beat Ellsworth 16-7.
Minneapolis quarterback Eric Yoxall threw for four touchdowns and 200 yards in a 59-34 victory over Beloit. Back Cannon Smith scored on 61- and 72-yard runs. Receiver Gage Mortimer caught three touchdown passes.
Yoxall has thrown for more than 1,500 yards and 12 touchdowns. John Kelly and Josh Macy are the other top receivers. Smith, Yoxall and Colton Baker are the leading rushers.
Both teams won two playoff games in 2007 when Hoisington beat Holcomb 55-25 and Salina Sacred Heart 45-35. That same year, Minneapolis beat Moundridge 34-21 and Ellis 39-38.
HOISINGTON (9-1) — Larned 20-21; Nickerson 7-0; Pratt 21-7; Hillsboro 35-6; Kingman 21-7; Smoky Valley 33-12; Ellsworth 60-6; Sterling 42-0; Lyons 54-13
MINNEAPOLIS (7-3) — Republic County 27-0; Salina Sacred Heart 12-13; Russell 40-0; LaCrosse 29-33; Ellsworth 16-7; Beloit 27-26, OT; Marysville 21-7; Riley County 17-21; Washington County 29-12; Beloit 59-34