Jaylon Winans ran for almost 260 yards Thursday night and Rock Creek rallied from a double-digit deficit in the first half to advance in the 3A playoffs. The Mustangs claimed a 21-11 win over Hesston to win the regional title, but needed some big runs from their senior running back to turn the tide.
Hesston built an 11-0 lead early in the second quarter, dominating the time of possession and capitalizing on a Dalton Whitworth interception thrown on the first snap of the ballgame. That turnover became three points for Hesston, who later scored on a pass tipped by Rock Creek’s Daegan Vinduska.
The Mustangs would tally a score late in the first half, but failed on the two-point try, leaving them down at halftime 11-6.
The game would turn at the end of Hesston’s opening drive of the second half, with the Rock Creek defense making a stand.
Winans’ 98 yard run that followed Hesston giving up the football on downs at the Rock Creek two would give the Mustangs the lead for the first time. He would tack on a 49 yard run for another score on the next Rock Creek possession as the Mustangs improved to 9-1.
The win means Rock Creek will host Andale in the quarterfinals, as the defending 3A champions dropped Pratt 45-6 Thursday night.
Friday night’s slate of games includes Manhattan High hosting Wichita East. The 6A West top seed, Manhattan has scored 40 or more points in four straight blowout wins while the Aces are 6-3 after shutting out Lawrence-Free State last Friday night, 38-0.
In 4A, Wamego welcomes former coach Lee Weber and his Rose Hill ballclub to town. The Red Raiders have allowed just two opponents to score more than 10 points in a game this year, as Ulysses last week got a late field goal in the 56-11 contest. Rose Hill won at Abilene to advance at 4-5 on the year.
For the second straight week, Riley County will face a team they lost to at home earlier in the season. The Falcons upset Silver Lake in the opening round of the 2A bracket 23-21 last week and are set to face Sabetha Friday night. The Bluejays took a 35-0 decision from Riley County earlier this season.
The Eight-Man II playoffs include Frankfort visiting Lebo. The Wildcats moved on after win over St. John’s/Tipton in the opening round last week.
A full rundown on the playoff action is coming up Saturday morning at eight on KMAN’s Scoreboard Saturday, presented by WTC Communications.
