courtesy www.sutv.com

If you’re all about experiencing feel-good situations in your life, you could have gotten a six pack’s worth had you been one of the attendees Friday evening at the Crusaders 14 vs Vikings 13 Week #7 game @ Sellers. From great back & forth football action, to honoring some gentlemen that 50 years ago this Fall brought something very special home to Wellington. The line stretched from the north end zone to the south end zone as dozens of WHS Seniors and their parents, lined up for Senior Night recognition. Did I mention the Crimson Dancers, the Band? It was a huge Crusader evening with all the aforementioned to keep you entertained.

“50 years ago this Fall, a group of young men at WHS, participated in the first ever in Kansas, State Football Championship event, bringing home the State Championship Trophy to Wellington HS and Wellington proper, itself. Many of these same men were honored at Friday’s game with Winfield. Prior to entering the stadium, a tailgate party, hosted by WHS Football and Shawn DeJarnett and others was where the evening’s activities would begin.

A section was reserved in the stands for these honored guests and at halftime, they were lead to the field, introduced and revered by the fans on hand. The Crimson Dancers would follow, then the Band…it was a great show from start to finish.

Winfield jumped out on the Crusaders 7-0 early (8:42 mark 1st Qtr) and ironically, the Crusaders wouldn’t answer until Qtr 2 (also 8:42 mark). Winfield would regain the lead shortly before halftime (5:27 mark Qtr 2) but would miss the PAT and lead 13-7 at the midway point. Unbeknownst at the time, scoring for the Vikings had ended, the Crusader defense would hold tight and strong through Qtrs. 3 & 4 and the Irondukes would take the lead for good in the 4th @ the 8:22 mark. Karsten Gill would go 2/2 on PAT’s – credit the two TD’s to WHS Jr. Trace Rusk who rushed for 151 yds (123 yds last week) and Zane Cornejo, who had his best game of the Fall. After 150 yds in penalties at Labette, the Crusaders improved significantly, with a total of just 35 penalty yds this week. The Irondukes busted up several Viking drives with interceptions (Quinton Redford, Silas Popplewell,  and Zander Vargas). On the night, Wellington gave up zero interceptions and zero fumbles. The boys in red on October 18, 2019, took care of business and moved to 2-5 on the season.

GAME ACTION / SR. NIGHT / 69 STATE CHAMPIONS PICS 101819

GAME STATS

RUSHING
Trace Rusk  29/151 yds (TD)
Zane Cornejo 6/70 yds (TD)
Zander Vargas  1/-5 yds
Berkeley Wright  5/-14 yds

PASSING
Berkeley Wright 2/7 for 21 yds

RECEIVING
Travese Love 1/16 yds
Trace Rusk 1/5 yds

TOTAL OFFENSE
RUSHING 202 yds
PASSING 21 yds
TOTAL – 223 yds

1st DOWNS
WINF 11 WELL 8

PENALTY YDS
WINF 43 yds
WELL 35 yds

PUNTS
Austin Soles 4/144 yds (36 yd avg)

PATS
Karsten Gill 2/2  (8/9 on the season)

OTHER AREA SCORES

El Dorado 6 Mulvane 41, Rose Hill 7 McPherson 31, Clearwater 12 Andale 50, Abilene 14 Augusta 37, Circle 6 Independence 40, Eureka 33 Belle Plaine 14, Caldwell 16 Udall 31, Oxford 6 South Central 56, South Haven 46 Fairfield 00, Attica/Argonia 16 Medicine Lodge 36,