The Macksville High School football team would like history to repeat itself.
The last time the Mustangs finished the regular season undefeated — 2007 — they went on to finish the year 13-0 and with an Eight-Man Division-I state title.
“It is a hard thing to do,” Macksville head coach Jeff Kuckelman said of finishing the regular season unbeaten. “It’s what you set out to do at the beginning of the season, and very few people actually end up doing it. This is a very special season.
“I think it is the second time in school history (to finish the season undefeated). Now we just have to do our best to keep things going.”
Tonight, Macksville hosts Ness City at 7.
The Mustangs lean on a prolific offense that has produced 466 points this season for a 51.77 points per game average.
Macksville’s defense has given up 20.66 points per game this season, including two shutouts.
The offense is led by a pair of seniors, running back Adam Oak and quarterback Seth Filbert.
Oak leads the team in rushing yards (672), receiving yards (1,067) and receiving touchdowns (13).
Filbert passed Oak in rushing touchdowns last week against Pratt-Skyline. Filbert has 11 rushing TDs and Oak has nine.
“They focused on Oak last Thursday,” Kuckelman said. “I fell like they went into the game determined to keep him from beating them. I think we threw to him eight times and he caught all eight passes. They just did a good job of tackling him.”
With Oak held back, Taylor and Tanner Tranbarger were able to spread the field out and catch a pair of touchdowns each against the Thunderbirds.
“When they focus on Adam, it frees them up even more,” Kuckelman said. “They do a good job spreading the field and using the whole field. They go from sideline to sideline.”
Tanner Tranbarger has 664 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns, while his older brother has 243 yards and five scores through the air.