Warriors keep playoff hopes alive

By NICHOLAS KIMBALL and DELBERT PETERS

Staff Writers

Marion kept its playoff hopes alive Friday, and Peabody-Burns may have slipped back to become district champion after its scheduled opponent withdrew.

Marion

The Warriors kept their playoff hopes alive Friday, beating Remington 32-18 on the road Friday in a game with playoff implications for both teams.

Running back Marion Jameson Looper celebrated his 17th birthday with a huge night: 19 carries for 136 yards and three touchdowns.

Quarterback Kellen Waner finished with 15 carries for 124 yards and two touchdowns.

On defense, Waner had an interception and two tackles.

Looper and Brian Nguyen led the defense with six tackles each.

Kadon Mercer had five tackles and a quarterback sack.

Jordy Raymer also sacked Remington quarterback.

Marion (5-2) will finish the regular season at home for senior night Friday against Valley Heights (6-1).

Peabody-Burns

The Warriors won their fourth straight game after Chetopa forfeited Friday night.

KSHSAA set the score at 21-0, as is typically the case in high school leagues where point differential is used for ranking.

This prepares the Warriors to attempt to become district champions, something the school has not accomplished in some time.

“It’s a huge week for us,” said head coach Eric Dutton. “We have a chance to become district champions. However, we don’t talk about it in training. It’s just another week of preparation for an opponent.

The Warriors (5-1) will travel for their final game of the season against Altoona (3-3).

“Altoona has some good ballplayers, and they’ve gotten better over the course of the season, so we’re expecting a good game,” Dutton said.

Hillsboro

The Trojans’ defense and running game stunned Lyons on the road Friday night, winning 32-0.

Jesiah Gooch led the offense with 164 rushing yards and four touchdowns.

On defense, Gooch made five tackles and Sutton Redger seven.

Noah Beavers is credited with a quarterback sack.

“In the heart of the lights on Friday night in Lyon, our team may have started slowly, but it was in the second half that we discovered our rhythm and showed our true potential, making the match a testimony to perseverance and hard work. ‘team,’ coach Demetrius told Cox.

Hillsboro (3-4) will be at home for the Trojans’ final regular season game Friday against Smoky Valley (2-5).

Goessel

In their fourth week of district play, Goessel once again fell behind early. Ell-Saline led 38-0 at the end of the first quarter.

After scoring another touchdown early in the second quarter, the Cardinals intercepted a Bluebird pass and took over at the Goessel eight-yard line.

Goessel’s defense held strong, however, and the Bluebirds took over on fourth down.

Trey Gaddis found daylight on two 35-yard runs before Brayton Base passed 20 yards to Wyatt Sommerfeld for a touchdown.

There was a small celebration after Goessel made a two-point conversion: the score was now 46-8.

Ell-Saline scored again, but the Bluebirds prevented extra points. The half ended with the Cardinals leading, 52-8.

Goessel took the kickoff to start the second half. On the first play from scrimmage, a Cardinal runner took the ball 42 yards for a touchdown that ended the game, 58-8.

Goessel, 0-4 in district games, will be at home Thursday against Canton-Galva (0-4).

Center

The Cougars were able to score Friday night against Lebo, but ultimately lost 60-6.

Quarterback Noah Brunner finished with 20 pass attempts and six completions for 71 yards.

Chase Kitzmiller led the team on offense, with four catches for 57 yards.

Center (0-7) will be on the road Friday for its final regular-season game against Hartford (0-7).

“Heading into the final game of the season against an 0-7 team, this is a great opportunity for our team to finish strong,” said coach Thieen Antoszyk.

“It is important to stay focused and not underestimate the opponent; each team can surprise you.

“This is also an opportunity to build momentum for next season, so encouraging teamwork and strong execution will be key,” added Antoszyk.