Mulvane (4-4) at Great Bend (6-2)
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VIDEO—youtube.com (Great Bend Athletics)
BY JIM MISUNAS
jmisunas@gbtribune.com
With a defense that's yielded 1,075 yards the past two weeks, Great Bend football coach Erin Beck offers an offensive solution,
Beck plans to play keep-away when Mulvane (4-4) visits Great Bend (6-2) for Friday's 4A playoff opener.
The Panthers average 134 yards rushing, but have gained 38 yards on the ground the past two weeks. Tailback Cal Schartz has gained 550 yards.
"We have to be better in practice and carry it over to the game," Beck said. "We're capable of doing that. Our confidence in our run game has been shaken the past two weeks. We faced two really good defenses. Hays and Junction City controlled our front and played with a lot of secondary guys."
Quarterback Maxson Smiley has thrown for 1,496 yards and 17 touchdowns. Cooper Ohnmacht has 54 catches for 598 yards. Mulvane yields 118 yards rushing and 149 yards passing per game.
"Mulvane plays a lot of man pass defense," Beck said. "They'll bracket your No. 1 receiver and take him away. It won't be easy. Mulvane's defense plays hard with guys flying to the football."
Offensive-talented Hays High and Junction City teams handed the Panthers 35-7 and 55-14 setbacks with 537 yard and 538-yard nights.
Mulvane quarterback Jeter Tatum has shared time with Grady Myers, who has passed for 432 yards and rushed for 444 yards. TB Hays Ensley has rushed for 1,106 yards and 13 touchdowns.
If Myers plays, the Wildcats will employ a 1-back, spread offense that uses the quarterback as a running option. If Tatum plays, Mulvane prefers a run-game featuring tight ends. Mulvane averages 221 yards rushing and 88 yards passing.
"Mulvane's Grady Myers is a dynamic player," Beck said. "They've got a good running back. Their starting quarterback has been out, and that's changed what they do the past few weeks."
Mulvane starts five players on both sides of the football.
"We haven't seen many 2-way players the last two weeks against Hays and Junction City," Beck said. "That helps us."
PANTHER OFFENSE—1—Cal Schartz, TB; 2—Cooper Ohnmacht, WR; 5—Maxson Smiley, QB; 7—Kale Kern, TE; 13—Alec Premer, WR; 24—Jaxon Wondra, WR; 54—Gavynn Maddox, C; 57—Keeton Bray, RT; 58—Colby Spore, LT; 59—Brady Mendez, RG; 73—Josue Bustamante, LG
PANTHER DEFENSE—1—Cal Schartz, S; 2—Cooper Ohnmacht, S; 3—Carter Dreiling, STAR; 4—Hayden Liles, CB; 6—Gavin Wondra, CB; 7—Kale Kern, MLB; 24—Jaxon Wondra, DE; 27—Blake Suppes, MIKE; 50—Cole Fanshier, DE; 58—Colby Spore, DT; 73—Josue Bustamante, DT
MULVANE OFFENSE—2—Hudson Myers, WR; 5—Grady Myers, QB or 12—Jeter Tatum, QB; 6—Hays Ensley, TB; 21—Caden Knight, WR; 24—Fenton Smith WR; 56—Brady Beikman, LT; 60—Bryson Canfield, RT; 64—Colter Light, LG; 66—Caleb Holle, RG; 75—Cooper Brown, C; 88—Tanner Hargrove, TE
MULVANE DEFENSE—2—Hudson Myers, FS; 6—Hays Ensley, CB; 8—Paxton Richardson, MLB; 15—Drew Miller, LB; 24—Fenton Smith, LB; 25—Kane Cuthertson, CB; 58—Archer Webb, T; 59—Kyler Dieker, LB; 66—Caleb Holle, T; 75—Cooper Brown, NG; 88—Tanner Hargrove, LB
4A WEST, FRIDAY—McPherson (7-1) vs El Dorado (1-7); Augusta (5-3) vs Rose Hill (5-3); Wellington (6-2) vs Arkansas City (2-6); Ulysses (6-2,) vs Winfield (3-5); Wamego (6-1) vs Abilene (1-7); Rock Creek (6-2) vs Topeka Highland Park (4-4); Buhler (6-2) vs Circle (2-6); Great Bend (6-2) vs Mulvane (4-4)
4A EAST, FRIDAY—SM Miege (8-0) vs Coffeyville (0-8); Paola (5-3) vs St. Thomas Aquinas (5-3); Fort Scott (6-2) vs Lansing (3-5); Eudora (6-2) vs Chanute (3-5); Louisburg (6-2) vs Bonner Springs (1-7); Tonganoxie (5-3) vs Labette County (4-4); KC Sumner (6-2) vs KC Schlagle (2-6); Independence (6-2) vs Ottawa (4-4)
