Indian Battle Won By St. Francis
The Wichita County (Leoti) Indians rolled into St. Francis Friday evening badly needing a district win. The home-standing Indians were also looking to pick up a needed victory. The game turned out to be a high scoring affair with the St. Francis Indians winning in a lop-sided score.
Leoti set up after the opening kickoff on the Sainty 38 yard line. The St. Francis defense soon had WC facing 4th and 10. Instead of punting, WC threw a long pass. A pass interference penalty on St. Francis gave WC a first down. On third and inches, the Sainty defense caught the WC running back behind the line of scrimmage for a loss. The football came loose during the tackle, and Zach Gienger came up with the fumble recovery on the St. Francis 42 yard line.
A few plays later, Dylan Wolaver had a nice 28 yard run down to the WC 15 yard line. On the next play from scrimmage, Ty Zweygardt rambled 15 yards around the left end for the first St. Francis touchdown. The conversion attempt failed, but St. Francis led 6-0.
On the next Leoti possession, the visiting Indians again went to the air. Another pass interference penalty on St. Francis kept the WC drive alive. A long pass from quarterback Budde to Martinez advanced the ball to the St. Francis 4 yard line. Dylan Peter tackled the WC ball carrier for a 3 yard loss on the next play. The ensuing play, a pass from Budde to Gallegos, resulted in a 7 yard touchdown. The conversion pass attempt was incomplete. The game was tied 6-6 with 7:24 left in the first period.
Leoti's kickoff was short, and St. Francis set up on their 36 yard line. This possession ended on a Ty Zweygardt 6 yard touchdown run with 3:19 left in the first quarter. The conversion attempt failed. St. Francis led 12-6.
Leoti's next possession ended on a pass interception. St. Francis began offense on their own 49 yard line.
Brock Zweygardt had a nice run to the Leoti 32. On the following play, Thomas Douthit sprinted up the middle for another St. Francis touchdown. Jonathan Butler ran for the conversion points. St. Francis led 20-6 with 1:39 left in the first period.
The kickoff went out of bounds allowing Leoti to set up offense on their own 32 yard line. The Indian defense held strong and Leoti punted from the 36.
Foster Grant returned the punt to the St. Francis 44 yard line. Under good defensive pressure, Brock Zweygardt scrambled to his left and threw a pass that was caught by Cade Bracelin advancing the ball to the Leoti 39 yard line. Ty Zweygardt ran to the 20. Thomas Douthit scored on a 20 yard run with 11:05 left in the second quarter. The conversion pass attempt fell incomplete. St. Francis led 26-6.
WC began offense on their 30 yard line. Mikey Leibbrandt intercepted a WC pass at the 50 and ran it back to the WC 3 yard line. An illegal block during the run brought the ball back to the Sainty 35. With 8:41 left in the half, Ty Zweygardt scored on a 14 yard run. Bracelin kicked the PAT. The home-standing Indians led 33-6.
Leoti returned the kickoff to their 27. Three plays later, WC was facing 4th and 11 and punted.
The kick was short and St. Francis set up on their own 43. Ty Zweygardt ran to the Leoti 18. Leibbrandt ran the ball to the 7. Dylan Wolaver scored on a 7 yard touchdown run with 4:54 left in the half. The PAT kick by Bracelin was good. St. Francis led 40-6.
It appeared that Leoti was going to return the kickoff for a touchdown, but Gavin Cooper made a toruchdown-saving tackle on the Sainty 41. Before the half would expire, WC scored on a run around the left end. A reverse around the right side was also successful for the conversion points. The half ended with St. Francis in command 40-14.
WC elected to on-side kick. Steve Nelson recovered the ball on the Leoti 49. Ty Zweygardt had a nice 14 yard run to advance the ball to the Leoti 31. On the next play, Dylan Wolaver scored on a 31 yard scamper up the middle. The PAT kick was blocked. With 10:30 left in the 3rd period, St. Francis led 46-14.
St. Francis was off-sides on the kickoff. The re-kick was short. Taking advantage of the good field position, Wichita County scored on a 15 yard touchdown pass from Budde to Nickelson. The conversion pass attempt fell incomplete. With 5:49 remaining in the 3rd period, St. Francis still led 46-20. By this time, many of the younger Indians were receiving some much desired playing time.
Leoti again attempted an on-side kick. St. Francis covered the ball on their own 46. Soon, Thomas Douthit ran 54 yards to paydirt. The conversion pass from Zweygardt to Dylan Peter was also good. St. Francis led 54-20 with 5:02 to go in the third period.
WC returned the kickoff the Sainty 48. Matt Howell was injured on the play. WC fumbled the ball and the Sainty defenders recovered the ball on the Leoti 48.
On the first play from scrimmage, Ty Zweygardt sprinted around the left end to the end zone. The PAT kick was again blocked. With 4:31 left in the third, the Indians led 60-20 and the running clock rule became effective for the rest of the game.
Mikey Leibbrandt had a nice tackle on the kickoff coverage. Leoti set up on their own 24. With 9:07 left in the game, Leoti scored on a 28 yard pass play. The conversion failed. The score narrowed to 60-26.
As it had been all evening, Leoti's kickoff was short. The Indians set up offense on their 44 yard line. Cade Bracelin had a nice run up the middle, but fumbled the football. Kaleb Zwick recovered for the Indians. Mikey Leibbrandt ran 24 yards to the 8 yard line. Bracelin powered to the 1/2 yard line on the next play. With 3:03 remaining, Bracelin scored the final St. Francis touchdown. The conversion failed. St. Francis led 66-26.
Bracelin's kickoff sailed over the heads of the WC return men. Leoti was trapped on their own 10 yard line. Another long pass moved the ball to the Sainty 39. WC continued to move the ball upfield, but the clock expired before the drive was complete.
The St. Francis Indians enjoyed a dominating 66-26 victory over the Wichita County Indians.
Four elementary students had a special honor during the game. Luke Lampe and Matt Leibbrandt led the team onto the field before the game. They also got to see the game from the sidelines. Reagan Beims and Mallory Mills cheered with the high school cheerleaders during the game. The four 6th grade students earned the opportunity by doing an outstanding job on their book reviews presented during the Read for the Record Assembly.
St. Francis will play Rawlins County in Atwood on Friday, October 28.
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