By Todd Fertig
TopSports.news
Big plays by senior Callen Barta helped Seaman snap a three-game losing streak Friday.
The Vikings blew past Leavenworth 56-0 on Homecoming night to improve to 3-2 in the United Kansas Conference standings and 3-3 overall.
Seaman senior Callen Barta hauls in a touchdown pass from Max Huston in the Vikings' 56-0 UKC win over Leavenworth Friday night. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
Seaman senior Callen Barta (6) is congratualted after scoring one of his four touchdowns in Friday's 56-0 UKC win over Leavenworth. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
Seaman quickly rolled up a 21-0 advantage in the first seven minutes of the contest. The Vikings clamped down on the visiting Pioneers and tacked on a fourth touchdown in the second period. The Vikings totally dominated the third period, scoring four more times before a running clock quickly ended the fourth quarter.
“It feels good to get back on the winning track,” said Seaman coach Jared Swafford. “It’s been a rough stretch with a couple of close games in there and some wake-up calls.
“The practices this week and the response of our kids showed leadership. And that’s all the kids. They continue to believe in what we’re doing. So, it was nice to come out here and get a victory and try to set the train in the right direction.”
It was a special night on both sides of the ball for Nebraska football commit Barta. He hauled in six passes for 240 yards and three touchdowns from junior quarterback Max Huston, and also returned an interception 75 yards for another score.
Seaman junior quarterback Max Huston threw for 290 yards and four touchdowns in Friday's 56-0 UKC romp past Leavenworth. [Photo by Rex Wolf/TSN]
Barta, who plans to play defensive back for the Cornhuskers, said he is enjoying every day that he gets to play receiver.
“I know my wide receiver days are coming to an end. So, I’m ready to just open up a new chapter of my life and play (defensive back),” Barta said. “It feels good for my last Homecoming, winning 56-0. I can’t be more proud of my guys.”
The Vikings rebounded from a tough stretch in which they lost one-score games at Shawnee Heights and Lansing, then were beaten soundly on a trip to Blair Oaks in Jefferson City, Missouri.
“Last week we got it taken to us a little bit,” Swafford said. “We hope it was a good learning experience. Watching the kids, the way they responded this week, it was the most energy we’ve had all year. It flipped that switch. I thought we were good to this point, but they found another level.”
Huston was efficient, hitting 13-18 passes for 290 yards and four touchdowns. Senior running back Jack Bloom rushed for 59 yards a touchdown. He was relieved by junior Samson Tootle who ran for another 42 yards and a score.
Meanwhile, the Seaman defense held Leavenworth to just 172 yards of total offense and picked off the Pioneers’ quarterback three times.
“Defense was the ultimate response,” Swafford said. “They took to coaching and went out there and found a way to keep (Leavenworth) to zero.”
“This means a lot.,” Barta said. “We were on the road for three games and had tough losses. So, to come back home and get a big win, hopefully we can go on a winning streak from here on out and make a big run in the playoffs. We’re a scary team being 3-3. People should know that.”
SEAMAN 56, LEAVENWORTH 0
Leavenworth (2-4, 2-4) 0 0 0 0 -- 0
Seaman (3-3, 3-2) 21 7 28 0 -- 56
Seaman – Barta 70 pass from Huston (Geiger kick)
Seaman – Bloom 6 run (Geiger kick)
Seaman – Barta 44 pass from Huston (Geiger kick)
Seaman – Tootle 12 run (Geiger kick)
Seaman – Barta 75 interception return (Geiger kick)
Seaman – Barta 29 pass from Huston (Geiger kick)
Seaman – Huston 6 run (Geiger kick)
Seaman – B. Finley 8 pass from Huston (Geiger kick)
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
Rushing -- Leavenworth: Simon 26-95, Daniel 1-(minus)1. Seaman: Bloom 11-59, Huston 8-21, Tootle 9-42, Barta 1-7.
Passing -- Leavenworth: Harding 11-34-3 78 yards. Seaman: Huston 13-18-0 290 yards.
Receiving -- Leavenworth: Gadwood 4-32, Ray 1-5, Simon 5-31, Daniel 1-10. Seaman: Barta 6-240, H. Finley 2-17, Kobuszewski 1-2, Bloom 1-1, B Finley 3-30.
Punting -- Leavenworth: Battersby 6-26.0. Seaman: Berg 3-36.3.
