Dickinson County Showdown
by Erik Graefe
Friday night’s football game between the
Abilene Cowboys and the Chapman Irish was the latest installment in one of the
oldest rivalries in high school sports in the United States. Typically, rivalry
games are infused with energy and often animosity from both sides. Friday night
felt more like two teams trying to get better at what they do. Abilene seemed
methodical most of the night, particularly on the offensive side of the ball.
Chapman executed well on offense and defense, but were clearly overmatched
physically at a lot of positions on the field. Abilene ended up winning the
game by a score of 30-0.
Chapman took the opening kickoff and could not move the
ball against an Abilene defense that, statistically at least, is one of the
best in Kansas. Chapman punted and Harley Hazlett led his team down the field
efficiently until the offense stalled as a result of penalties inside the
Chapman 20. Coach Simpson called on a young man who has been consistently good
at whatever he’s
been asked to do for the entire year, Ryan LaCombe. LaCombe booted the 30 yard
field goal through the uprights, giving the Cowboys a three point lead.
Following the kickoff, a familiar theme began to emerge.. Chapman executed
well, but would be unable to move into scoring position against Nathan Howard’s
defense. On Abilene’s next offensive possession, Hazlett scored on a 21
yard run, making the score 10-0. The theme continued. Following another Chapman
punt, Hazlett connected on a pass to senior Dylan Ford near the Chapman 20.
Ford eluded several Chapman defenders to score on the lone touchdown for the
Cowboys through the air on Friday. Hazlett would score one more time before the
end of the first half, and Abilene took a 23-0 lead in at the half.
If you are drinking the orange kool-aid, the second half
looked as if Abilene decided to take their foot off of the gas and coast to a
road victory. If green is your kool-aid of choice, then you believe that Coach
Sell got his kids’ attention at the half and Chapman
held the Cowboys to only 7 points in the second half. Either way, the second
half featured only one big play. You guessed it, Harley Hazlett ran for a 61
yard touchdown in the third quarter. It was Hazlett’s third rushing TD
of the night.
On a night when Abilene scored 30 points, the story of
the night from the Cowboy perspective was the defense. The Cowboys were not
merely sound schematically, they repeatedly punished Chapman ball carriers with
physical tackling. There were many defensive standouts for Coach Howard,
including Colten Rankin who made his first start of the year in the interior of
Howard’s
defensive line. Linebackers Jason Tarn, Parker O’Neal, and Parker Base all
three made plays throughout the game. The defensive backs, led by Trey Bender
and including Cooper Wyckoff, Ryan Wilson, Dylan Ford, and Michael Anguiano
were great all night. Chapman’s offense is designed to stretch a defense, forcing
individuals to make plays in space by themselves. Abilene answered the call
nearly every time with sound defensive plays.
It was a rivalry game that often didn’t
feel like it. Abilene seemed to treat the game like a business trip. They
methodically went about their business, doing their best to give the appearance
that they have their eyes on a bigger prize. Whether or not there was
improvement on the offensive side of the ball remains to be seen.
Notes from Wamego Week:
On Monday, Abilene’s JV defeated Wamego 42-20 in
Wamego.
On Tuesday, Abilene’s Freshmen defeated Wamego
38-13.
Varsity MVP’s:
Offense: Harley Hazlett and Ryan
Wilson
Defense:
Parker O’Neal
and Jason Tarn
Special
Teams: Ryan LaCombe
Practice: Jacob Schartz
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