BY BUDDY TABLER
KISMET/PLAINS -- There were more flags than at a Veteran’s Day celebration but the Larned Indians struggled through for a hard-fought 14-7 victory over Southwestern Heights here Friday evening.
Larned was flagged for 165 yards in penalties which enabled the Mustangs to hang close in a game that Larned dominated on the statistical page. Two Larned touchdowns were negated by penalty, a 1-yard touchdown run by quarterback Mason Miller and a 90-yard blast up the middle by Jimmy Gardner.
“We didn’t play well and the kids know it," said Larned coach Brady Keith. "We did good things on offense and defense but, 165 yards in penalties is not acceptable. It makes it very difficult to win.”
Despite the penalties, Larned was able to control the ball, the clock and, eventually, the scoreboard thanks to four turnovers by Southwestern Heights, three fumbles and a pass interception by Deacon Martin.
Gardner gained 108 yards and scored a touchdown on 16 carries. David Colglazier rushed 15 times for 104 yards and a touchdown.
Larned (2-4, 1-1 District) plays Hoisington (2-4, 2-0 District). Southwestern Heights drops to 2-4, 0-3 District.
Gardner tackled Kyler Cox, causing a fumble that Gardner recovered. Gardner scored on a 5-yard run for a 6-0 lead. The Mustangs drove to Larned’s 10-yard line, but fumbled at the 5-yard line right before halftime.
The Mustangs lost three fumbles and had a long touchdown pass negated by penalty.
Larned scored on a 41-yard touchdown run by Colglazier. Deacon Martin caught a 2-point conversion pass for a 14-0 lead.
The Mustangs scored when quarterback Manny Mendoza connected with Drezden Zimmerman on a 15-yard touchdown pass to trail 14-7.
Larned's clock-eating drive left the Mustangs on their own 10-yard line with 2:16 left. Angel Bowersox's sack stopped the Mustangs. Larned used the “victory formation” to close out the victory.
2A DISTRICT 8
Hoisington 2-0 2-4
Lakin 2-1 4-2
Larned 1-1 2-4
Cimarron 1-1 1-5
SW Heights 0-3 2-4
9-27—Hoisington 53, SW Heights 6; Russell 48, Larned 28; Lakin 38, Cimarron 20
10-4—Cheney 47, Hoisington 18; Lakin 64, SW Heights 0; Cimarron 33, Larned 8
10-11—Hoisington 48, Lakin 31; Hugoton 35, Cimarron 6; Larned 14, SW Heights 7
10-18—Hoisington at Larned; Lakin at Colby; SW Heights at Cimarron
10-25—Cimarron at Hoisington; Larned at Lakin; Holcomb at SW Heights
