BY JIM MISUNAS
jmisunas@gbtribune.com
Great Bend's offense returned to form with six touchdowns for a dominating 41-21 victory against Mulvane in Friday's 4A first-round playoff game.
Great Bend (7-2) snapped a 2-game losing streak and travels to Buhler (7-2) for a second-round playoff game.
"We got back to playing Great Bend football," said Great Bend football coach Erin Beck. "It was fun to coach these guys. We stepped up and made huge plays all over the field. Our kids responded really well like we knew they would. I was proud of the way the guys played."
Tailback Cal Schartz enjoyed his best game in weeks with 126 yards rushing and 6- and 37-yard touchdown runs behind crisp offensive blocking. His crucial 40-yard touchdown reception led to a 19-7 halftime lead.
The Panthers delivered ball security with no turnovers on a drizzly night with a light mist developing.
"The biggest thing offensively was our ability to run the football," Beck said. "We saw that confidence up front. Our offensive line did a nice job. Gavyn Maddox did a nice job with our gap screen. We got Cal loose tonight. That opened things up for Maxson."
Defensive back Gavin Wondra ignited a strong defensive effort with a pair of alert interceptions and several yardage-stopping tackles. Colby Spore was cited for strong 2-way play.
"I was proud of the way Gavin Wondra played out on the edge," Beck said. "No. 6 (Wondra) sticks his nose in there and tries to make every tackle. Our kids tackled well. Kade Urban saw a lot of action, which makes our coaches excited."
Quarterback Maxson Smiley was on point with four touchdown passes and 11 completions for 184 yards.
Smiley delivered back-to-back touchdown passes to tight end Kale Kern for 12-and 26-yard scoring strikes. Cal Schartz added his 40-yard touchdown reception. Cooper Ohnmacht converted an 11-yard touchdown catch for the Panthers' final touchdown.
Mulvane led 7-0 on Hays Ensley's 1-yard run. The Panthers played near-perfect defense until the fourth quarter for a 34-7 lead.
The Wildcats exploited the Panthers' defense for a pair of fourth-quarter touchdowns. Mulvane quarterback Grady Myers threw an 16-yard scoring pass to Tatum and a 10-yard touchdown to his twin brother Hudson Meyer.
Mulvane 7 0 0 14 — 21
Great Bend 7 12 15 7 — 41
M—Ensley 1 run (Osborne kick); GB—Kern 12 pass from Smiley (Cruz kick); M—Kern 26 pass from Smiley (run fails); GB—Schartz 40 pass from Smiley (pass fails); GB—Schartz 6 run (Ohnmacht pass from Smiley); GB—Schartz 37 run (Cruz kick); M—Tatum 16 pass from Grady Myers (Osborne kick); GB—Ohnmacht 11 pass from Smiley (Cruz kick); M—Hudson Meyer 10 pass from Grady Myers (Osborne kick)
RUSHING—39-90; M—Ensley 18-75; Grizzle 10-47; Grady Myers 11-18; GB—28-179; Schartz 17-126; Smiley 7-32; Jaxon Wondra 3-25; team 2-(-4).
PASSING—M—Ensley 11-17-1, 124; Ensley 0-1-1; GB—Smiley 11-17-0, 184.
RECEIVING—M—Tatum 3-50; Hargrove 4-35; Smith 1-25; Hudson Myers 2-19; Ensley 1-(-5); GB—Schartz 2-66; Premer 2-48; Ohnmacht 5-42; Kern 2-38.
