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Smith Center races past Ellinwood 62-0
Ellinwood football
Ellinwood runner Shaun Weber (23) runs behind blocking by Nathan Ringwald (10), Tyler Stuhsatz (11), Devyn Johnson (51) and Davan Komarek (52).

SMITH CENTER 62, ELLINWOOD 0

BY ALEX HAMMEKE

Special to the Tribune

ELLINWOOD – Ten-time state football champion Smith Center scored seven first-half touchdowns en route to a dominating 62-0 District victory over Ellinwood.

Smith Center’s Chase Maxwell scored three rushing touchdowns and quarterback Nathan Jaeger scored two rushing touchdowns and added a passing touchdown.

Gardner-Edgerton transfer Chase Maxwell turned a fumble into a 19-yard score. Maxwell added 10- and 14-yard scores. 

It took Smith Center less than 45 seconds to score on the next three drives. Jaeger had a 5-yard run on a 32-second drive. Jaeger connected on a 30-yard TD pass to Griffin Kugler in 40 seconds. Maxwell scored to cap a 31-second drive.

Smith Center’s Nate Hendrich scored on a 3-yard TD, and Jaeger scored on an 18-yard run.

Ellinwood caught a break when Tyler Stuhlsatz intercepted a Smith Center pass.  Maxwell scored on a 10-yard touchdown for a 50-0 lead.

The running-clock second half saw Smith Center fumble the ball. Two punts followed.

Smith Center’s Luke Franklin scored on a 1-yard run to cap a 42-yard drive. Ellinwood’s fumble ended with Benjy Carr’s 28-yard score.

Smith Center rushed for 197 yards while adding 50 yards passing. Ellinwood was stifled, with minus 47 yards rushing and one yard passing.

Smith Center (2-1, 1-0 District) plays Salina Sacred Heart and Ellinwood (0-3, 0-2 District) plays Conway Springs.

Smith Center 28 22 0 12 – 62

Ellinwood 0 0 0 0 – 0

SC—Chase Maxwell 15 run (Freddy Lambert kick)

SC—Nathan Jaeger 5 run (Lambert kick)

SC— Griffin Kugler 30 pass from Jaeger (Lambert kick)

SC—Maxwell 14 run (Lambert kick)

SC—Nate Hendrich 3 run (run)

SC—Jaeger 18 run (Lambert kick)

SC—Maxwell 10 run (Lambert kick)

SC—Luke Franklin 1 run (run failed)

SC—Benjy Carr 28 run (run failed) 

1A DISTRICT 3

Oakley 2-0 3-0

Inman 2-0 2-1

Smith Center 1-0 2-1

Ell-Saline 1-1 2-1

Plainville 0-1 1-2

Ellinwood 0-2 0-3

Sacred Heart 0-2 0-3

9-4—Ell-Saline 28, Marion 0; Oakley 25, TMP 13; Plainville 14, Phillipsburg 13; Olpe 61, Ellinwood 0; Hutchinson Trinity 26, Inman 20; Kinsley 42, Sacred Heart 6; Norton 14, Smith Center 13 

9-11—*Ell-Saline 34, Sacred Heart 0; *Oakley 10, Plainville 7; *Inman 67, Ellinwood 0; Smith Center 21, Phillipsburg 13

9-18—*Oakley 34, Ell-Saline 7; *Inman 50, Sacred Heart 0; *Smith Center 62, Ellinwood 0; Hays-TMP 20, Plainville 13