Friday night lights shine on 4 runaways

By NICHOLAS KIMBALL

Staff writer

Marion caught Council Grove sleeping, Hillsboro still is looking for a complete game, Peabody-Burns kept its lopsided victories coming, Centre also scored big, and Goessel stayed undefeated in its district in football action Friday.

Marion

Marion ended Council Grove’s perfect season by a lopsided score of 46-15 in a home non-conference game.

Rain started to come down in the first quarter, leaving fans scrambling for cover, but it didn’t faze quarterback Jack Lanning, who ran for a 63-yard touchdown and two-point conversion. Trevor Schafers backed him up with a 36-yard touchdown minutes later.

“I was really proud of how the guys came out from the get-go,” coach Shaun Craft said. “We had a good week of practice, and it showed.”

Lanning played a game of “catch me if you can,” racking up 174 yards. Schafers played along, too, with 166 yards total.

“I was really pleased with how the O-line played and opened holes for our backs to have a big night,” Craft said.

On defense, Schafers, Quade Williams, and Caleb Darrow led the team in tackles.

“They’re also learning that football is a game of emotions,” Craft said, “and when you come out with a lot of energy and ready to go, good things usually happen.”

The Warriors (4-2) will be at home again Friday against a winless Bluestem (0-6).

Hillsboro

Hillsboro didn’t fare as well, losing Friday’s non-conference road game against Southeast of Saline by a score of 46-6.

“It was a tough night for us, but I felt like going into that game we was more prepared and focused than we have been all season,” said coach Demetrius Cox. “It was our best week of practice all season, and it showed in our play in the first half of the game.”

Hillsboro’s defense had caused a handful of interceptions and a sack-fumble of the opposing quarterback. However, the offense wasn’t able to capitalize.

The three top defensive players for Hillsboro Seth Driggers, Tyson Plenert, and David Schafer.

Running back Wyatt Plenert racked up 33 yards on the ground in two carries, one of which put quarterback Seth Driggers in position to complete a 6-yard touchdown pass to Anders Weisbeck for the Trojan’s only score of the game.

“Nicholas Smith, Lane Rogers, and Jacob Thiessen showed the leadership I have been waiting to see all season,” Cox said. “If those guys can continue to keep that going and our younger guys continue to grow this week, we will give ourselves a great opportunity to come out with a victory against a tough Smoky Valley team.”

Hillsboro (1-5) will be at home this Friday against Smoky Valley (2-4).

Peabody-Burns

Peabody-Burns recorded its third victory in a row with a 45-19 road non-conference victory over Altoona-Midway.

Colton Gossen had 19 carries for 159 yards and four touchdowns. Jeff Glover added three catches for 85 yards and two touchdowns. Tanner Parks completed six passes for 87 yards and two touchdowns. Sophomore Cade Gossen led on defense with 14 tackles,five for a loss.

“Friday was a tough game defensively for us,” coach Kody Tegtmeier said. “We teach and preach the fly-to-the-ball mentality, and Altoona Midway was very good at taking a hit and tossing the ball to the next guy around them.”

Peabody-Burns (4-2) will be at home this Friday to face off against undefeated Waverly (6-0).

“Discipline, execution, and playing with the aggression we have the past few games will be key for us to knock off the Bulldogs,” Gossen said.

Goessel

For the second week in a row, the Bluebirds got off to a quick start at Pretty Prairie. Scoring began with a 10-yard strike from Grant Bryant to Caleb Burkholder. Less than three minutes later, Bryant got loose for 47 yards and another score. Jake Wiens sprinted 51 yards to complete the scoring fin the first quarter.

Pretty Prairie scored as the second quarter started, but the scoring was all Goessel from then on. Bryant zipped through the backfield for 57 yards, Wiens went 74 yards with 23 seconds to play in the second quarter. With no time left on the clock, Burkholder snatched a Bryant pass for a 25-yard score and Goessel led at half-time 44-6.

The game ended in the third quarter when Wiens galloped for 21 yards and the extra points were good, giving the Bluebirds a 52-6 win.

Goessel is now 4-2 overall and 3-0 in district games. The Bluebirds will play host to Moundridge (3-3) Friday.

Centre

Centre won Friday’s home non-conference game against Chetopa in crushing fashion, 55-7.

The Cougars (3-3) will be on the road this Friday to compete against Wetmore (4-2).

Staff writer Delbert Peters contributed to this report.