KIOWA — It’s not often a team can give up 50 points, yet still point to its defense as the key to victory. Crest 16-22-14-14—66
That’s precisely what transpired for Crest High’s Lancers Tuesday night.
After giving up 42 points in the first two quarters, the Lancers allowed only a single touchdown after intermission to host South Barber High.
Crest’s offense continued its steady play, meanwhile, closing the game with a 28-8 run to down South Barber 66-50 in the opening round of the Kansas Eight Man, Division II playoffs.
The Lancers have little time to bask in victory, particularly after returning in the wee hours this morning from their 220-mile road trip. They hit the road again for another 200-mile trek Saturday to Hanover.
And the Lancers must do so with senior running back Kyle Hammond injured. The senior standout dislocated his finger early in the second half. Lancer coach Brent Smith expects Hammond to be ready to go Saturday.
But, as Smith explains, the Lancers might as well make the travel worth their while and bring home another win.
“He’s on the bus ride home with us, because he wanted to be around his teammates,” Smith said from his cell phone after the game. “He’ll be ready.”
Tuesday’s dizzying first half left the scoreboard operator out of breath as the teams traded touchdowns like bubble gum cards.
Hammond led the early charge with touchdown runs of 3 and 36 yards before South Barber scored twice to close the gap to 16-14.
Hammond found Jordan Morton on a 51-yard pass play to push Crest up eight. Another South Barber score was answered by two more Hammond touchdown runs of 18 and 7 yards.
Crest appeared to be well on its way to victory, leading 38-20.
“That’s when things got interesting,” Smith said.
South Barber scored three touchdowns in less than 90 seconds, aided by a muffed kickoff return by Crest, to take a 42-38 lead into halftime.
“I don’t know if we just got sloppy, but we started making some uncharacteristic mistakes from there,” Smith said.
Smith and defensive coordinator Craig Frazell challenged the Lancer defenders to step up their game.
Step up, they did.
Led by senior defensive lineman Jesse Boone, Crest racked up 12 sacks in the contest, many of which came after halftime.
Morton gave Crest a 46-42 lead on a 1-yard run early in the third quarter. The Chieftains responded with their final score of the night to regain the lead.
But a key punt block by Boone and Brock Ellis set up the go-ahead score for Crest, a one-yard run by Clayton Miller.
Dylan Sedlak scored twice in the fourth quarter to seal the win for Crest.
“We challenged the guys at halftime and they really responded,” Smith said. “We weren’t ready for this season to end. We had several guys step up for us tonight”
Crest now travels to Hanover to take on the Wildcats, which defeated Chase High 48-0 on Tuesday.
“They’re a good team, and they play in a good league,” Smith said. “We’re going to have our hands full.”
Hammond rushed 30 times for 213 yards before exiting the contest. Sedlak added 46 yards on 12 carries. Morton had 30 yards on 10 rushes, Clayton Miller 39 on 11 and Ellis 17 yards on two rushes.
Hammond completed 5 of 6 passes for 87 yards. Morton passed for 47 yards, while catching two passes for 85 yards. Ellis had 22 yards on three receptions. Hammond had two catches for 27 yards.
On defense, Sedlak had eight tackles and three sacks. Hammond had eight tackles. Cody Vermillion had seven tackles and two sacks. Miller and Dacoda Hunt also had sacks. Morton and Bledsoe had six tackles apiece.
South Barber 14-28-8-0—50
Crest — Hammond 3 yd run (Hammond run)
Crest — Hammond 36 yd run (Hammond run)
SB — TD (good)
SB — TD (failed)
Crest — Morton 51 yd pass from Hammond (PAT failed)
SB — TD (failed)
Crest — Hammond 18 yd run (Hammond run)
Crest — Hammond 7 yd run (Hammond run)
SB — TD (good)
SB — TD (failed)
SB — TD (good)
Crest — Morton 1 yd run (Sedlak run)
SB — TD (good)
Crest — Miller 1 yd run (PAT failed)
4th qtr
Crest — Sedlak 2 yd run (PAT failed)
Crest — Sedlak 2 yd run (Ellis pass from Morton)
Defense propels Crest in comeback win
