HOISINGTON (10-0) at SE SALINE (11-0) — Ever since Hoisington Division 1 recruit Brody Pfannenstiel transferred from Russell, the Cardinals and No. 1 ranked Trojans have been on a semifinal 2A collision course. The Trojans are riding a 24-game winning streak.
The 6-4, 220-pound Pfannenstiel has emerged as the Cardinals' X factor, imposing his presence offensively and defensively. Pfannenstiel shifts defensively, creating a challenge for opposing blockers. On offense, Pfannenstiel earns a modest number of touches, but creates a nightmare match-up for defenses. Last week, he broke the Garden Plain game open with a 61-yard touchdown reception.
Hoisington football coach Zach Baird (115-24) has lost twice in the state championship game, 28-14 to Nemaha Central and 27-20 to Rossville in 2020.
The Trojans downed the Cardinals 30-8 last year and edged Nemaha Central 36-28 for the state title. In 2023, the Cardinals outscored the Trojans 49-42 and lost 28-14 in a memorable snowy title game to Nemaha Central. The Trojans raced past the Cardinals 44-21 in 2022.
The Cardinals have outscored opponents 49-9. The Trojans have outscored opponents 56-9.
Cardinal tailback Taylen Morales has rushed for 1,390 yards and 21 touchdowns with a season-high 253 yards against Halstead. C.J. Bryant scored 10 touchdowns with 626 yards. Pfannenstiel has rushed for 326 yards and six touchdowns.
Martin has thrown for 1,279 yards and 23 touchdowns with interceptions. Pfannenstiel has six scores and 430 yards on 16 receptions. Carson Mason has 339 yards and six touchdowns receiving.
Linebacker Corbyn Holinde leads the Cardinal with 58 tackles with linebacker Brody Corbett (48) and defensive lineman Pfannenstiel (47) close behind.
Southeast of Saline tailback Grady Gebhardt has rushed for 1,779 yards and 32 touchdowns after torching the Cardinals last year. Back-up quarterback Tiernan Ptacek has thrown for 943 yards and 11 touchdowns after replacing injured starter Gannon Jacobson, who threw for 1,028 yards and 15 touchdowns in six games
Gebhardt has 587 yards and 10 touchdowns receiving. Five other Trojan receivers have over 200 yards with a combined 14 touchdowns.
CARDINAL OFFENSE—3 WB—C.J. Bryant; 8 TB—Taylen Morales; 9 WR Kalob Lamb/17—Carson Mason; 10 TE—Corbyn Holinde; 12 QB—Mason Martin; 22 RB—Brody Pfannenstiel; 55 RT—Brody Corbett; 57 RG—Colin Mater; 62 C—Layton Hoffman; 65 LT—Leyton Mooney; 77 LG—Karson Kinman
CARDINAL DEFENSE—3 DL—Bryant; 4 S—Logan Cossel; 8 CB—Morales; 9 S—Lamb; 10 LB—Holinde; 17 CB—Carson Mason; 22 DL—Pfannenstiel; 55 LB—Corbett; 27 LB—Thomas Higgins; 57 DL—Mater; 62 DL—Hoffman
2A SEMIFINALS
SE Saline (11-0) vs. Hoisington (10-0)
Nemaha Central (11-0) vs. Osage City (10-1)
HOISINGTON PLAYOFFS (34-25)
2025—2A—Hoisington 74, Halstead 24; Hoisington 46, Hillsboro 6; Hoisington 36, Garden Plain 7; Hoisington vs. SE Saline
2024—2A—Hoisington 28, Ellsworth 15; Hoisington 24, Haven 14; SE Saline 30, Hoisington 8
2023—2A—Hoisington 46, Phllipsburg 8; Hoisington 35, Beloit 6; Hoisington 49, SE Saline 42; Hoisington 30, Norton 21; CHAMPIONSHIP—Nemaha Central 28, Hoisington 14
2022—2A—Hoisington 42, Phillipsburg 18; Hoisington 28, Russell 22; SE Saline 44, Hoisington 21
2021—2A—Hoisington 35, Ellis 14; Hays-TMP 36, Hoisington 27
2020—2A—Hoisington 47, Ellis 0; Hoisington 1, Cimarron 0; Hoisington 28, Garden Plain 14; Hoisington 26, Beloit 0; CHAMPIONSHIP—Rossville 27, Hoisington 20
2019—2A—Hoisington 47, SW Heights 0; Hoisington 48, Lakin 7; Hoisington 48, Garden Plain 22; Norton 10, Hoisington 8
2018—2A—Hoisington 38, Sterling 13, Hoisington 41, Cimarron 18; Hoisington 30, Hutchinson Trinity 0; Phillipsburg 31, Hoisington 14
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
