courtesy www.sutv.com

WHS -  07 00 00 00 - 07
MSHS - 14 14 07 14 - 49

The 2017 Crusader Football Season came to a close Friday evening in Regional 4A action at Maize South HS. The Mavericks secured the momentum early on after an incredible start by the Crusaders. After a strong kickoff return by Julian Jimenez to near mid-field, Michael Ledbetter unleashed a 46 yd TD pass on the first play from scrimmage to DeAndre Washington for 6. Karsten Gill came in for the successful PAT (center- Gage Cunningham, holder - Zander Vargas)...with only :16 gone in the game, the underdog Crusaders were up 7-zip! Kazam!

That lead and "MO" were short-lived unfortunately. At the 8:17 mark, just 3 1/2 minutes later, Maize South scored on a 30 yd scamper, knotting it at 7-7. The Mavericks never relinquished the momentum from that point on, pulling away with 3 additional TD's by halftime and 3 more by game's end, connecting on all 7 PAT's as well. Final Score 49-7. The Mavericks move to 9-1 on the season and will face McPherson at HOME (Maize South). McPherson edged out Buhler in OT 15-14 to advance. Not a good night for Crusaders. Andover Central downed Mulvane 30-21 bringing the Wildcat season to an end as well.

In Sectional 4A-1 play this coming Friday, it will be DeSoto vs Fort Scott, Bishop Miege vs Labette County, Andover Central vs Andale and as mentioned, Maize South vs McPherson. In Sectional 4A-2, it will be Hayden vs Burlington, Holton vs Frontenac, Clay Center vs Scott City and Smoky Valley vs Holcomb. In 8M-11, Caldwell was victorious and will face Hanover on Nov. 10th in Sectional action.

The Crusaders generated 247 yds of offense in the 49-7 loss. QB Michael Ledbetter was 9/22 passing (147 yds). DeAndre Washington caught 6 of those 9 for 85 yds and a TD. Joe Ybarra 2 for 58 yds and Zander Vargas, 1 for 4 yds. Six different IRONDUKES carried the ball vs the Mavericks - Deyton Araujo had 7 carries for 59 yds, Zane Cornejo 1/45 yds, Isaac Hilt 7/20 yds, Joe Ybarra 8/14 yds, Grey Hatfield 2/6 yds and Michael Ledbetter 7/-4 yds. 

The Crusaders had 9 first downs to the Mavericks 13. Trayson Probst punted the ball 6 times for 194 yds (32 yd avg). 

Coach Aguilar and his staff and the Crusaders, end the 2017 season at 5-5. A marked improvement over 2016, Coach Aguilar's first year as head football coach at WHS. The mood was upbeat at games' end Friday. Coach even called a timeout with just a few seconds left to allow WHS kicker Karsten Gill a shot at a field goal. The attempt came up short, the scoreboard clock rolled to zeros...2017 season was over.

It would seem there's a lot to look forward to next season including a completely different playoff system in 4A. READ HERE We are however, losing an awesome group of Seniors this year. The young men battled hard, made our "lines" as strong as they've been in a while and our backfield as well...they will be missed. We say goodbye to Cade Phelps, Jack Walton, Logan Jones, Braiden Buresh, Ian Groom, Gabe Smith, Deyton Araujo and last but not least, Aaron Schoemann. These gentlemen left their mark in multiple ways, on the field and in the classroom. We are certainly proud of these young men and the rest of the squad that will carry on in their absence next Fall. GO BIG RED!!

REGIONAL 4A ACTION PICS vs MAIZE SOUTH

NEXT SEASON'S SCHEDULE

VARSITY
AUG. 31, 2018 @ Collegiate 7PM
SEP. 7, 2018 HERE vs Andale 7PM
SEP. 14, 2018 @ Clearwater 7PM
SEP. 21, 2018 HERE vs Augusta 7PM
SEP. 28, 2018 @ Rose Hill 7PM
OCT. 5, 2018 HERE vs Labette County 7PM
(Play THERE in 2019)
OCT. 12, 2018 @ Winfield 7PM
OCT. 19, 2018 HERE vs Mulvane 7PM
WEEK #9 - pending

FRESHMEN / JV
SEP. 3, 2018 HERE vs Collegiate (1 game) 6PM
SEP. 10, 2018 @ Andale 5PM / 6:30PM
SEP. 17, 2018 HERE vs Clearwater 5PM / 6:30PM
SEP. 24, 2018 @ Augusta 5PM / 6:30PM
OCT. 1, 2018 HERE vs Rose Hill (1 game) 6PM
OCT. 8, 2018 @ Labette County 5PM / 6:30PM
OCT. 15, 2018 HERE vs Winfield 5PM / 6:30PM
OCT. 22, 2018 @ Mulvane 5PM / 6:30PM
WEEK #9 - pending