Warriors victorious in district game
Staff writer
PBHS Warriors ensured an appearance in post-season play with a Friday road victory over Yates Center. With the 35-7 win, the team will advance to bi-district play next week. However, the big challenge for the Warriors will be the third district contest against undefeated Olpe. The game kicks-off at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Peabody field.
Warrior defense came out ready to play against Yates Center, holding the Wildcats to two short series early in the contest. Tackles were recorded by Nathan Bishop, Will Pratt, Eric Dutton, Adam Benson, and Andrew Loucks.
On the Warriors second offensive series, the PBHS squad took possession at their own 43-yard line. Derrick Simmonds connected with a pass to Bishop to earn a new set of downs. Trevor Hamm ran on first down. Woodruff got loose for a big run on second down. A Wildcat penalty moved the ball to first-and-goal at the Warrior one-yard line. Bishop plunged through the middle for the touchdown and Pratt added the extra point. The Warriors were on top 7-0, with 5:35 on the clock in the first period.
Yates Center moved the ball on the next series with success on the ground and in the air. A Warriors personal foul kept the drive alive. PBHS defense from Simmonds, Bishop, Brandon Pickens, Pratt, Woodruff, and Hamm halted the drive and forced a punt.
The Warriors took the ball at their own 20. Rushing from Bishop and Hamm and a pass from Simmonds to Bishop brought the end of the first quarter. Woodruff gained 10 yards to move the sticks. A Simmonds-to-Bishop pass play gained 18 yards. Hamm got in the action on first down, and Benson moved the chains to the Wildcat 13 with a catch of a Simmonds pass. It took four downs and two time-outs, but the PBHS squad scored on an eight-yard QB keeper by Simmonds. Pratt added one and the Warriors took a 14-0 lead with 8:37 on the clock in the second period.
Four downs and out for the Wildcats, put the Warriors offense back on the field at their own 40. Hamm, Woodruff, and Bishop all earned rushing yards. With a second-and-goal at the one, Bishop went through the middle for the touchdown. Pratt added one and the Warrior lead was 21-0 with a 3:47 left in the half.
Yates Center offense moved the ball into Warrior territory on the next series but Hamm grabbed a Wildcat pass for the interception and Warrior offense again took the field.
On third-and-four of the series, Woodruff took off from the 50, wove his way through the Wildcat defenders, and found the end zone. Pratt added another PAT and the Warrior lead was 28-0 with 1:33 left in the half.
On the Warrior kick-off, Nick Abramowich caused a Wildcat fumble. Cole Welsh recovered the ball and put the Warrior offense right back to work in the red zone. On second-and-three from the eight, Woodruff pushed through the middle for the touchdown. Pratt added the extra point and the first half was almost complete with the Warriors up 35-0.
With the large deficit, Yates Center elected to run a continuous clock throughout the second half.
The Wildcats scored a touchdown in the fourth quarter to put the final score at 35-7. Jacob Simmonds, Henry Hammann, Tyler Slater, Jordon Foth, Elliott Spechtenhauser, Pickens, and Sean Corona all got into the action in the second half.
Woodruff led the rushing attack with 12 runs for 166 yards and one touchdown. Hamm had eight runs for 24 yards and one touchdown. Bishop had five runs for 17 yards and two touchdowns. Pickens was two for 12. Simmonds was one for eight and one touchdown.
Simmonds was four for eight for 53 yards in the passing game. Bishop caught three passes for 40 yards. Benson caught one for 13 yards.
Pratt and Bishop each had even tackles in the contest. Benson had five. Other totals include: Woodruff 4, Pickens 3, Dutton 2, Loucks 2, Hamm 2, Abramowich 1, Hammann 1, D. Simmonds 1, Slater 1, Corona 1.
