High School Sports: ABILENE'S LAST GAME

Crusaders End Cowboys’ Season

 

by Gabe Johnson

The Abilene Cowboys were defeated by the Buhler Crusaders 28-14 in the regular season matchup of 2014.  The loss ended the Cowboys’ season, but catapulted Buhler into the playoffs.

 

Abilene quarterback Harley Hazlett finds some running room - photo by Denise Youtsey

The Cowboys were able to grab the lead first in the first quarter after off of a junior quarterback Harley Hazlett’s 14 yard run to the right side of the end-zone.  Senior place kicker Alex Espinoza converted the point after attempt to make the score 7-0.

Alex Espinoza's point-after kick is good!  Abilene takes an early lead 7-0 - photo by Denise Youtsey

The following kickoff was returned by Buhler’s Dillon Engelland to the Abilene 31-yard line, setting the Buhler offense up with great field position.  The Crusaders punched the ball into the end-zone off a 17 yard Endgelland run.  However, the PAT was no good as it clanged straight back off the left upright, preserving the Cowboys lead at 7-6.

photo by Denise Youtsey

Buhler’s offense struck two more times before halftime, two touchdown runs in the final half of the second quarter pushed the Cowboys’ deficit to 21-7 at halftime.  Buhler running back Dakota Wolf drove in a touchdown from the 1-yard line with 5:41 remaining in the first half.  Buhler converted on the 2-point conversion, taking the lead 14-7.  Engelland scored his second touchdown of the night off of a 12 yard run with under a minute to play in the second quarter.  Wolf’s kick was good, finalizing the first half score at 21-7.

 

Tanner Hoekman fights his way through Buhler defenders with help from his blockers - photo by Denise Youtsey

Neither offense could move the ball with consistency in the third quarter against their opponent’s respective defenses.  Buhler finally broke through with another Engelland rushing touchdown from 10 yards out with 6:21 to play in the contest.

Abilene was able to salvage another touchdown with 53 seconds left in the game off of Hazlett’s 13 yard touchdown pass to senior wideout Dalton Goodwin who found himself alone in the back of the end-zone.  Espinoza’s kick was good, closing the deficit to 28-14.

 

Dalton Goodwin (28) thanks quarterback Hazlett (1) for the perfect touchdown pass in the 4th quarter - photo by Denise Youtsey

The touchdown would prove to be the final of the season for the Cowboys, as the game finished at 28-14 in favor of the Crusaders from Buhler.  The touchdown showed the character of the Cowboy team, who fought every second of the way through the entire season, no matter the circumstance.

Zach Barbieri (3) closes in on the Buhler ball carrier. - photo by Denise Youtsey

Chase Stalder looks for extra yards after his pass reception - photo by Denise Youtsey

 The 2014 Abilene Cowboy football team, under 1st year head coach Steve Simpson, finished 6-3 on the season.  They won the NKCL title, going 5-0 against league opponents, for the first time since 2011.  Although they did not make the playoffs, this year’s Cowboy football team brought excitement, excellent football, and great pride to the town of Abilene.  

photo by Denise Youtsey

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