By KYLE MANTHE
The Washburn Review
Coming off a big road win over Manhattan the week before, the Washburn Rural Junior Blues were back at home and taking on the Highland Park Scots.
The Junior Blues continued to roll while the Scots continued to struggle as Washburn Rural ran away with a 58-18 Centennial League win.
“I was happy with the performance early, and we were able to get some young guys into the game and get them some experience on a Friday night, but the most important thing is we got our sixth win,” said Rural coach Steve Buhler.
It was Highland Park which scored first, when junior Tyrell Reed took a rush 71 yards for a touchdown on just the fourth play of the game, providing a 6-0 lead.
That would be the last lead for the Scots as Washburn Rural scored a touchdown of its own four plays later on a pass from sophomore Branton DeWeese to senior Robby Bolin. That was one of two touchdown passes on the day from DeWeese.
Bolin would follow the play with a 27-yard interception return for a touchdown to double the lead.
Washburn Rural's JC Heim (25) celebrates a touchdown with teammate Shane Sexton during Friday's 58-18 Centennial League win over Highland Park. [Photo by Doug Walker/Special to TSN]
The Junior Blues would score three more touchdowns in the quarter, including two from sophomore JC Heim on the ground.
“Our run game and our offensive line was amazing up front and the pass game did really well,” said Heim.
Two 35-yard passing scores from Washburn Rural in the second quarter would make it a 51-6 game at halftime as the offense continued to roll and the defense was suffocating.
“We talked about how we need to gang tackle and everyone needs to come to the ball, we did pretty good,” Heim said.
Washburn Rural's defense sacks Highland Park quarterback Kellan Spruce during Friday's 58-18 Rural win over the Scots. [Photo by Doug Walker/Special to TSN]
The longest play for the Junior Blues came in the third quarter when junior Dayten Smoot took a 49-yard pass from junior Aiden Boleski for a touchdown.
The Scots would score twice in the final quarter including an 83-yard run from junior Tre Richardson right before time expired with the game ending 58-16.
The win moved Washburn Rural to 6-1 on the year while Highland Park fell to 0-7.
Washburn Rural will be back in action next Friday, hosting Seaman for Senior Night.
“It’s a big game for both of us, we got a lot at stake in the brackets that we are playing for so I am looking forward to a great game,” said Buhler.
WASHBURN RURAL 58, HIGHLAND PARK 18
Highland Park (0-7) 6 0 0 12
Washburn Rural (6-1) 37 14 7 0
First quarter
Highland Park -- Reed 71 run (conversion failed)
Washburn Rural -- Bolin 17 pass from DeWeese (Smoot kick)
Washburn Rural -- Bolin 27 interception return (Smoot kick)
Washburn Rural -- Lukas Hanks 3 pass from DeWeese (Smoot kick)
Washburn Rural -- Heim 16 run (Smoot kick)
Washburn Rural -- Team safety
Washburn Rural -- Heim 30 run (Smoot kick)
Second quarter
Washburn Rural -- Tibbetts 35 pass from DeWeese (Smoot kick)
Washburn Rural -- Sabbarini 35 pass from Boleski (Smoot kick)
Third quarter
Washburn Rural -- Smoot 49 pass from Boleski (Smoot kick)
Fourth quarter
Highland Park -- Drew-Gregory 6 pass from Spruce (conversion failed) 58-12
Highland Park -- Tre Richarson 83 run (conversion failed) 58-18
Individual statistics
Rushing- Highland Park: Reed 15-98, Richardson, 2-83, Spruce 7-2, James 4-6, Crawford 1-7. Washburn Rural: Heim 7-93, Keller 2-16, Krueger 3-1, Leonard, 1-5.
Passing- Highland Park: Spruce 6-11-1, 63 yards. Washburn Rural DeWeese 5-7-0, 102; Boleski 3-4-0, 87; Leonard 1-2-0 9.
Receiving- Highland Park: Drew-Gregory 4-35, McNair 1-2, Richardson, 1-26. Washburn Rural -- Tibbetts 2-72, Smoot 1-49, Sabbarini 1-33, Bolin 1-17, Hanks 2-13, #39 1-9(Not listed on roster), Hayes 1-5.
