High School Sports: Cowboys Vs McPherson

 

 When Cowboys Fall

Cowboys Fall to McPherson

By Gabe Johnson

The Cowboys knew the easiest road to a playoff berth this season would need to include a victory over district foe McPherson.  After losing to the McPherson Bullpups Friday night, their road became much tougher.  Abilene was defeated by a score of 17-6  and was handed their first loss of the season, sending them to 6-1 on the season and 0-1 in district play.

On their first possession of the game, the Bullpups drove the ball down the field to the Abilene 1 yard-line.  The Cowboy defense held strong from their own 1 on three straight plays, forcing McPherson to attempt a field goal on 4th and goal.  McPherson kicker Nathan Nutter sent the ball flying through the goal posts to give the Bullpups the 3-0 lead midway through the first quarter.

After another offensive drive had put McPherson within Abilene’s own half of the field, senior safety Dalton Goodwin intercepted McPherson quarterback Kyler Kinnaman’s pass to shut down the Bullpups’ drive.  The Cowboys offense struggled again to get anything going on the ensuing drive and were forced to punt once again early in the second quarter.  McPherson took advantage of another failed offensive drive by the Cowboys as Kinnaman punched in a touchdown run from 10 yards out early in the second quarter.  The touchdown and PAT made the score 10-0 in favor of the Bullpups. 

Colton Mills lunges at the McPherson ball carrier Mayden (73) helps bring him down. - photo by Denise Youtsey

Junior quarterback Harley Hazlett was able to jumpstart the offense late in the second quarter with a 43 yard run around the right side of the line as he weaved his way down the field and was eventually knocked out of bounds at the 11 yard-line.  On 4th down from the 12 yard-line, Hazlett stepped back in the pocket and released a pass as he stepped up in the pocket that was intended for senior tight-end Zach Barbieri.  Barbieri came down with the catch for the touchdown, putting the Pokes on the scoreboard for the first time in the ball game.  After the failed PAT, the Cowboys trailed 10-6.

After a stop by the Cowboy defense, the ball was put back in the hands of the Cowboy offense.  Hazlett and the offense were given one more chance at a shot at the end-zone before halftime, but Hazlett’s deep pass down the field was intercepted by McPherson’s Kinnaman, bringing an end to the first half.

Alex Espinoza Kicks off to start the second half - photo by Denise Youtsey

The second half became a defensive slug-fest.  McPherson’s offense was able to move the ball down the field to the Abilene 1 yard-line once again, but this time the defense allowed no points whatsoever.  Kinnaman attempted to sneak the ball across the goal-line, but an Abilene lineman batted the ball out of his hands to the ground.  The fumble was recovered by senior linebacker Jared Rimmel, giving possession back to the Cowboys.

Jared Rimmel (26) looks for positive yards -photo by Denise Youtsey

Hazlett connected to Barbieri once again on a 25 yard hook up to move the Cowboys out of dangerous territory after being backed up against their own goal-line.  However, the Cowboys were not able to move the ball much further and were forced to punt once again.

A broken play from McPherson would be the nail in the coffin for the Cowboys undefeated season late in fourth quarter.  McPherson’s Kinnaman turned to hand the ball off to his runningback who ran to the wrong side.  Kinnaman took matters into his own hands and broke a tackle in the backfield and sped up the left sideline for a 36 yard touchdown run, permanently putting McPherson in the lead after the PAT, 17-6.

The loss will certainly be a devastating one for the Cowboys.  A victory over next week’s opponent, the Hays Indians, will be vital for the Cowboys’ playoff hopes to stay alive.