After last week's high scoring affair with Andale, it was time for Wellington to match up against the Clearwater Indians here at home on September 20th. This game featured a more balanced attack from the Crusaders with the team rushing the ball 20 times and passing 19 times. In the first quarter Nick Giefer got out to a fast start scoring a 10 yard touchdown to score the first touchdown of the game. Then the Crusaders had some fun and let the offensive lineman, Jamar Armstrong, get some shine with a 1 yard rushing touchdown to go up 14-0. Clearwater seemed to have woken up in the second quarter scoring the next two touchdowns on the ground to tie the game. Nick Giefer scored on another rushing touchdown to retake the lead 21-14 going into halftime. In the second half the Wellington Crusader passing attack heated up with several big plays including a 30 yard pass to Carter Burnett and a pair of long touchdown passes to Grady Norris, one for 40 yards and the the other for 64 yards. The defense held strong not allowing Clearwater to score another point before the game was called for lightning making it a 35-14 victory for the Dukes!

Standout performances of the night includes Nick Giefer rushing the football 16 times for 79 yards and two scores, Grady Norris with 113 receiving yards and two touchdowns, Carter Burnett with 5 catches for 109 yards, Dusty Bannister completing 13 of 19 passes for 270 yards for two touchdowns, and Jagger Norris was perfect 5 for 5 kicking extra points. Wellington will look to add momentum as they travel to Labette County September 27th. 

VARISTY FOOTBALL VS CLEARWATER (Katie Ford/wellington.cc)

VARSITY FOOTBALL VS CLEARWATER (WHS Yearbook)