Indians Advance To Final Eight
The Indians turned in an outstanding performance on Greene Field on Friday, October 7, to defeat Hill City in the Regional Championship game. St. Francis led 24-0 at the end of the first quarter and rolled to a 52-0 win over the 6-3 Ringnecks. The Ringnecks were a formidable opponent, but the speed, power, and execution of the Indians dominated throughout the contest.
The Indians won the coin toss and elected to receive. The Ringnecks' kick-off was fielded by Ben Busse. Hill City defenders ended the kick return quickly. The Indians set up offense at the 28 yard line. Brady Dinkel's first carry into the middle was stopped by Will Penrod (230 lb. junior) and Ayden Nicklelson (185 lb. sophomore) after a short gain. Dinkel's next two carries over the left side resulted in a 4th-&-2 situation due to strong defensive play by the Ringnecks. On the next snap, Shadryon Blanka ran powerfully around the left end breaking several tackles before scoring the first Indian touchdown of the game. Adam Krien ran up the middle for the conversion points. With 10:43 showing on the first quarter clock, the Indians led 8-0.
Freshman Kaleb Atkins (120 lbs) returned the Indians' kickoff and was tackled by Shadryon Blanka at the Hill City (HC) 18 yard line. On the first play of the possession, sophomore quarterback Derek Keith (170 lbs) was swarmed by a host of Indian defenders. The play resulted in a loss of 3 yards. A counter play to the left, carried by talented running back Dalen Journigan (170 lb. senior), was halted by a combo tackle by Colton Neitzel and Jayce Nider. A punishing run by Journigan gained good yardage on the next play before a tackle by Kobe Tice ended the advance. Facing 4th-&-4, the Ringnecks punted. The ball rolled dead at the St. Francis (SF) 15 without a return.
Indian running back Shadryon Blanka rounded the right end on the initial snap earning 5 yards before being tackled by Justice Clark (150 lb. junior). A second-down run by Brady Dinkel was stopped for no gain. Facing 3rd-&-5, the Indians used a hard count and received 5 yards when the Ringnecks were called for encroachment. Needing about a foot for a first down, Dinkel rounded the left end and cruised to the 30 yard line. Dinkel's next carry was stopped by Kaleb Adkins (120 lb. freshman) after a 1-yard gain. Before the next snap, a procedure penalty on the Indians moved the situation to 2nd-&-14. On the next play, Dinkel cruised around the right end for a 53-yard touchdown. Adam Krien banged over the left side tor the conversion points. The Indians led 16-0 with 6:24 remaining in the first quarter.
Dalen Journigan returned the Indian's kick-off near the 30 yard line where he was tackled by Jayce Nider. Ayden Nickolson (185 lb. sophomore running back) pounded into the middle on two successive carries. Both were met quickly by Colton Neitzel and resulted in a total gain of 5 yards. On the next play Journigan earned a new set of downs at the SF 39 before he was tackled by Kobe Tice. Journigan's next three carries were ended by Adam Krien, Shadryon Blanka, Brady Dinkel and Nider. Facing 4th-&-7, the Ringnecks used a time-out to discuss strategy with 3:13 showing on the first quarter clock. On the next snap, Journigan tried the right end but was met by Jesse Baxter and Blanka.
The Indians took over on downs at their own 34 yard line. Shadryon Blanka's first-down carry was stopped after a gain of three by Will Penrod. Blanka earned 6 more on the next carry. Blanka's third consecutive carry resulted in a first down at the HC 29. Another Blanka run earned a new series at the 19. Brady Dinkel then ran over the left side, but fumbled. Kobe Tice recovered for the Indians. Dinkel's next two carries moved the ball to the 3 yard line. Blanka then banged for a hard yard to the two. Using a quick snap, Blanka powered over the left side for the third Indian touchdown of the quarter as the first period expired. Adam Krien ran around the left end untouched into the end zone for the conversion points. The Indians led 24-0 after one period of play.
After the return, the Ringnecks set up offense on their own 23 yard line. Dalen Journigan earned two yards up the middle before he was stopped by Jayce Nider. The second down snap was bobbled but recovered by Hill City for a loss of a yard. On the next play, Journigan ran around the right end but was tackled by Nider after a very short gain. Facing 4th-&-8, the Ringnecks punted. The punt was short and rolled out-of-bounds at the SF 34.
On the first play of the Indians' possession, Brady Dinkel rounded the right end and bolted 46 yards for another St. Francis touchdown. The conversion try was stopped by Will Penrod and Kaleb Atkins. St. Francis led 30-0 with 9:42 remaining in the first half.
Beginning at the 20 after a short return, the Ringnecks earned 5 yards on a carry by Dalen Journigan around the right end. Josiah Sims ended Ayden Nickelson's second down run after 3 yards, but Nickelson's next carry resulted in a first down at the HC 31. Kaleb Atkins carried the ball to the SF 33 on the next play before he was forced out-of-bounds by Brady Dinkel. Journigan's first-down carry was stopped for no gain by Shadryon Blanka and Colton Neitzel. A holding penalty against the Ringnecks on second down was declined resulting in 3rd-&-13. Adam Krien sacked Hill City's quarterback Derek Keith on the next play. Facing 4th-&-20, the Ringnecks punted. The kick was nearly blocked by Jesse Baxter. Baxter tipped the ball and it rolled dead at the SF 9 yard line.
The Indians struck again on the ensuing play. Though a toss to the left from quarterback to running back landed on the ground, it was scooped up by Adam Krien who sprinted 71 yards to the end zone. Unfortunately, the play was erased by a holding penalty on the Indians. On the next snap, the Indians rounded the opposite endl and following a teeth-jarring block by Shadryon Blanka, Brady Dinkel scored on a 65-yard scamper. The conversion run by Josiah Sims was stopped short of the goal. With 6:31 left in the first half, St. Francis led 36-0.
Jaron Berig made the tackle on Journigan's return at the 30 yard line. Ayden Nickelson rounded the right end earning three yards before being stopped by Jayce Nider and Adam Krien. On second down, Journigan made a diving catch in the left flat to grab a pass from quarterback Derek Keith. The play resulted in a 1-yard gain. A shovel pass to Journigan earned one more yard before a Colton Neitzel stop. An illegal procedure penalty backed up the Ringnecks before the next snap. Facing 4th-&-12, Hill City punted once again.
The Indians began offense at the 15 yard line. On the first play of the possession, Shadryon Blanka rounded the left end and sprinted 65 yards for his third touchdown of the contest behind outstanding blocking by Brady Dinkel and the offensive line. Josiah Sims ran up the middle for the conversion points. St. Francis led 44-0 with 4:12 left in the half.
The Indians' squib kick was returned by Ayden Nickelson to the HC 35 where he was stopped by Jayce Nider. Dalen Journigan earned 4 yards on the first snap diving into the middle. He was tackled by Jesse Baxter. Journigan gained one more over the left side but was halted by Colton Neitzel. On 3rd-&-5, Will Penrod earned a first down running strong on a reverse play. The Ringnecks were now at the SF 27. After Penrod was stopped for no gain on first down, Journigan was quickly stopped by Adam Krien on the following play. St. Francis called time-out with 2:11 remaining hoping to get the ball back. On the ensuing snap. Journigan was sacked, fumbled, and it appeared the Indians may have recovered, but Hill City retained possession. On 4th-&-10, the Ringnecks punted once again.
Brady Dinkel gathered in the punt at the 13 yard line and raced 67 yards for the final touchdown (and his fourth) of the contest. Adam Krien ran over the left side for the conversion points. St. Francis led 52-0 with 1:48 left in the first half.
Justice Clark was tackled by Jayce Nider on the kick return at the HC 28. Journigan slipped attempting to make a cut on the first play of the possession, but still gained 4 yards. Derek Keith attempted a pass to Will Penrod on 2nd down, but the pass fell incomplete in the right flat. After Journigan was stopped for no gain on 4th down, a pass from Keith to Ayden Nickelson in the left flat was intercepted by Brady Dinkel. It appeared that Dinkel had an open path to the end zone, but he knelt to down the ball. The Indians set up in victory formation and kneeled a final time to expire the remaining 0.6 seconds.
St. Francis defeated a good Hill City team 52-0. The Indians will play Hodgemen County in Jetmore on Friday, October 15 at 6:00 p.m. Hodgeman County (9-1) defeated Spearville (5-5) 62-54 to advance. Also advancing on the same side of bracket as the Indians was Wichita County (9-1) with a 54-38 win over Clifton-Clyde (9-1).
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