by Tanner Ford, wellington.cc

The Crusaders lost a heartbreaker to 4A power McPherson last Friday night, October 7. Both offenses were clicking with the teams totaling over 300 offensive yards, but it was special teams that made the difference in this one, as McPherson would kick a field goal in the final seconds to win. 

Wellington was down early in the 2nd quarter 14-0 before running back Malachi Rogers ran 43 yards for a touchdown. McPherson would answer quickly with a touchdown run of their own, though, to go back up by two scores. The Crusaders scored again before half on a 29-yard touchdown pass from Kenny Redford to Grady Norris, answered by a McPherson field goal to go into halftime 24-13. 

In the third quarter, the Crusader defense tightened things up, only allowing one score. Wellington also scored another touchdown on a Kenny Redford keeper to go into the final quarter 19-31. Montel Tate was clutch in the fourth quarter catching two touchdown passes to put the Crusaders up 32-31 with three minutes left to go. The Iron Dukes put up a heck of a fight but unfortunately couldn’t hold McPherson’s offense as they got close enough to kick a field goal for the win with two seconds left to play. 

You have to be proud of this team for not giving up after being down early and storming back to take the lead in the second half. They did not get down on themselves and showed a lot of fight. I think good things are to come for Wellington High School Football. 

Malachi Rogers again turned in another fantastic performance, rushing for 156 yards and a touchdown. Kenny Redford continues to show he can lead this football team with four total touchdowns, and Montel Tate really gave the Crusaders a chance with two exceptional touchdown catches and 65 yards. 

Wellington takes on Circle at home on October 14 at 7:00 pm.

                         Q1    Q2   Q3   Q4      F

McPherson      07    17    07    03      34

Wellington       00    13    06    13      32

STATS:

Passing: 

#13 Kenny Redford: 9/16, 106 yds, 3 TD’s

Rushing:

#2 Malachi Rogers: 23 att, 156 yds, TD

#13 Kenny Redford: 9 att, -5 yds, TD

#25 Nick Giefer: 2 att, 11 yds

Receiving:

#5 Brody Weir: 3 rec, 6 yds

#15 Cope Henry: 1 rec, 3 yds

#23 Grady Norris: 1 rec, 29 yds, TD

#2 Malachi Rogers: 2 rec, 3 yds

#3 Montel Tate: 2 rec, 65 yds, 2 TD’s

Punts: 

#2 Malachi Rogers: 4/155 yds

Kick Returns: 

#10 Skyler Branam: 2/12 yds

#25 Nick Giefer: 1/7yds

PAT’s/FG:

#4 Jack Wright: 2/3 PAT’s

VARSITY FOOTBALL V. MCPHERSON 100722 Gallery 1

(Photos by Katie Ford/wellington.cc)

VARSITY FOOTBALL V. MCPHERSON 100722 Gallery 2

(Photos by Michaela Stufflebam/WHS Crusader Yearbook)

VARSITY FOOTBALL V. MCPHERSON 100722 Gallery 3

(Photos by Gavin Witham, Talan Cantrell, & Ryan Bacon)