BY JIM MISUNAS
jmisunas@gbtribune.com
PHILLIPSBURG — Hoisington High’s run-oriented style committed two costly turnovers the first time against No. 1 ranked 2A Phillipsburg.
The 2A semifinal rematch starts at 7 p.m. Friday at Phillipsburg. The Cardinals have never qualified for a state football championship game in 19 playoff trips.
The Panthers gained 555 yards and steamrolled the Cardinals 51-21 in coach Zac Baird’s worst loss at Hoisington.
Panther tailback Treylan Gross (1,238 yards, 21 TDs), halfback Nathan Moon (661, 8 TDs) and Cha’ron Ellis (616, 7 TDs) help the Panthers average 302 yards rushing and 46 ppg.
“We got taken to the woodshed a month ago,” Baird said. “Give credit to Phillipsburg. They’re the top team in the state for a reason. They have speed and offensive weapons everywhere. They have ability to make big plays. Their quarterback is a special player and they have good running backs.”
The Panthers’ other edge in all-state kicker Jonathan Hunnacutt, who owns the state record for points.
Baird said the Cardinals learned a lot from studying the first Phillipsburg video.
“We had a tough film session that was brutally honest,” Baird said. “We’re getting better and continue to work. We’re glad to get another shot. We’re excited to keep going.”
The Cardinals average 370 yards against a Panther defense that yielded 380 yards last week in a 25-24 quarterfinal victory over Conway Springs.
Friday’s 2A playoff semifinal features a vastly-improved Cardinal football team. Hoisington’s all-state tailback Wyatt Pedigo (1,959 yards, 28 TDs) keys the offense and defense with game-changing tackles.
“Everyone’s taken notice of what Wyatt Pedigo does offensively and defensively,” said Baird. “He completely changes the game for us. He’s had a phenomenal season.”
Halfback Xavier Robinson (732, 10 TDs) and Braxton Donovan (513, 5 TDs) have sparked a more balanced running game behind center Chandler Blackwell, guards Riley Philbern and Jacob Specht, tackles Kameron Schneweis and Nic Long and tight end Dallan Hutchcraft. Derek Boxberger and Mason Haxton share time at quarterback.
Baird said the Cardinals have progressed the most on the defensive side.
“We played hard and chased the football last week,” he said. “I’m proud of the way our defense played.”
PHILLIPSBURG (11-0)
W—Ellis 52-12
W—Plainville 31-3
W—Smith Center 421-4
W—Norton 56-20
W—Hays-TMP 45-0
W—Ellsworth 48-3
W—Hoisington 51-21
W—Minneapolis 61-6
W—SW Heights 55-12
W—Lakin 41-0
W—Conway Springs 25-24
HOISINGTON (9-2)
L—Pratt 0-34
W—Nickerson 28-14
W—Larned 50-13
W—Hays-TMP 42-0
W—Ellsworth 48-14
W—Minneapolis 41-6
L—Phillipsburg 21-51
W—Norton 49-27
W—Sterling 38-13
W—Cimarron 41-18
W—Hutchinson Trinity 30-0
RUSHING—H—515-4,071, 52 TDs; Wyatt Pedigo 194-1,959, 28 TDs; Xavier Robinson 68-732, 10 TDs; Braxton Donovan 81-513, 5 TDs; P—302 ypg; Treylan Gross 101-1,238, 21 TDs; Nathan Moon 86-661, 8 TDs; Cha’ron Ellis, 75-616, 7 TDs; Trey Sides 35-262, 6 TDs
PASSING—H—Boxberger 37-60-3, 516, 3 TDs; P—Trey Sides, 51-91-6, 921, 17 TDs
RECEIVING—H—Robinson 12-236, 1 TD; Pedigo 10-135, 3 TDs; Donovan 7-79; P—Ty Sides 14-275, 7 TDs; Ellis 13-206, 2 TDs; Gross 11-179, 5 TDs; Austin Miller 8-131, 2 TDs
TACKLES—H—Pedigo 94 tackles, 9 for loss; Joshua Ball, 81; Donovan 64; Kameron Schneweis 57
CARDINAL OFFENSE—WB—3 Xavier Robinson, 5-10, 165; CB—7 Mason Haxton, 5-11, 160; TE—8 Dallan Hutchcraft, 6-2, 215; QB—9 Derek Boxberger, 6-0, 155/7 Mason Haxton; WB—20 Braxton Donovan, 5-10, 160; TB—33 Wyatt Pedigo, 6-0, 200; LT—61 Nic Long, 6-1, 190; LG—63 Jacob Specht, 5-9, 170; RT—69 Kameron Schneweis, 5-8, 175; C—72 Chandler Blackwell, 6-2, 220; RG—79 Riley Philbern, 6-2, 285
CARDINAL DEFENSE—S—3 Xavier Robinson, 5-10, 165; CB—7 Mason Haxton, 5-11, 160; LE—8 Dallan Hutchcraft, 6-2, 215; S—20 Braxton Donovan, 5-10, 160; OLB—27 Holt Hanzlick, 5-8, 160; CB—31 Quincy Cross, 5-8, 140; MLB—33 Wyatt Pedigo, 6-0, 200; OLB—34 Joshua Ball, 5-9, 185; RE—61 Nic Long, 6-1, 190; MLB—69 Kameron Schneweis, 5-8, 175; NG—79 Riley Philbern, 6-2, 285
PANTHER OFFENSE—QB—1 Trey Sides, 5-8, 155; RB—4 Cha’ron Ellis, 5-10, 180; TB—6 Treylan Gross, 6-0, 205; TE—10 Austin Miller, 6-5, 200; WR—12 Ty Sides, 6-1, 170; FB—20 Nathan Moon, 5-7, 165; LG—61 Jaret Shelton, 5-10, 240; C—62 Brock Buresh, 6-0, 215; RT—64 Tyce Jerby, 5-10, 275; RG—65 Parker Dibble, 6-0, 190; LT—71 Noah Van Kooten, 6-4, 245
PANTHER DEFENSE—CB—1 Trey Sides, 5-8, 155; MLB—4 Cha’ron Ellis, 5-10, 180; OLB—6 Treylan Gross, 6-0, 205; NG—10 Austin Miller, 6-5, 200; CB—12 Ty Sides, 6-1, 170; RE—17 Jon Hunnacutt, 5-11, 195; S—20 Nathan Moon, 5-7, 165; OLB—51 Kasen Keeten, 5-9, 185; LE—61 Jaret Shelton, 5-10, 240; DT—64 Tyce Jerby, 5-10, 275; DT—71 Noah Van Kooten, 6-4, 245
HOISINGTON PLAYOFF HISTORY (15-18)
2018—2A—Hoisington 38, Sterling 13, Hoisington 41, Cimarron 18; Hoisington 30, Hutchinson Trinity 0; Hoisington vs. Phillipsburg
2017—3A—Hoisington 47, Cimarrron 22; Phillipsburg 35, Hoisington 6
2016—3A—Hoisington 56, Lakin 13; Hoisington 20, Norton 0; Hoisington 49, Garden Plain 8; Hesston 35, Hoisington 19
2015—3A—Hoisington 76, Cimarron 19; Hoisington 50, Washington County 6; Halstead 44, Hoisington 6
2014—3A—Hoisington 48, Cimarron 6; Minneapolis 17, Hoisington 14
2013—3A—Holcomb 21, Hoisington 6
2012—3A—Holcomb 28, Hoisington 7
2009—3A—Hoisington 35, Phillipsburg 6; Scott City 41, Hoisington 7
2008—3A—Beloit 52, Hoisington 20
2007—3A—Hoisington 55, Holcomb 25; Hoisington 45, Sacred Heart 35; Garden Plain 55, Hoisington 7
2006—3A—Hoisington 41, Holcomb 28; Sacred Heart 48, Hoisington 45
2005—3A—Hesston 21, Hoisington 0
2004—3A—SE of Saline 20, Hoisington 19
2002—3A—Phillipsburg 14, Hoisington 13
1998—3A—Smith Center 74, Hoisington 0
1997—3A—Smith Center 50, Hoisington 14
1992—3A—Holcomb 20, Hoisington 14
1990—3A—Hoisington 6, Belleville 3; Chase County 7, Hoisington 6
1986—4A—Andale 21, Hoisington 6
2A SEMIFINALS
Hoisington 9-2 at Philllipsburg 11-0
Humboldt 11-0 at Riley Co. 9-2
2A QUARTERFINALS
Hoisington 30, Hutchinson Trinity 0
Philllipsburg 25, Conway Springs 24
Humboldt 24, Rossville 22
Riley Co. 40, Silver Lake 34, OT
SECOND ROUND
Hutchinson Trinity 16, Garden Plain 7
Hoisington 41, Cimarron 18
Conway Springs 21, Chaparral 14
Phillipsburg 41, Lakin 0
Humboldt 30, Osage City 6
Rossville 21, Atchison Maur Hill 14
Silver Lake 63, McLouth 12
Riley Co. 33, SE Saline 14
FIRST ROUND
Garden Plain 45, Douglass 6
Hutchinson Trinity 58, Belle Plaine 0
Cimarron 52, Ellsworth 14
Hoisington 38, Sterling 13
Conway Springs 66, Eureka 6
Chaparral 55, Fredonia 0
Phillipsburg 55, SW Heights 12
Lakin 44, Norton 14
Humboldt 52, West Franklin 15
Osage City 28, SE Cherokee 6
Maur Hill 27, Mission Valley 18
Rossville 36, Pleasant Ridge 14
Silver Lake 66, Riverton 0
McLouth 48, Jayhawk-Linn 26
Riley Co. 45, Wathena Riverside 0
SE Saline 26, Nemaha Central 13
