Ellis drops a heartbreaker

By KLINT SPILLER

The Hays Daily News

ELLIS -- In its 3-0 loss to Oakley High School in the sectional round of the class 2A state playoffs, Ellis had a pair of opportunities to find the end zone late in the game.

However, Oakley (11-0) was aided by a stalwart defensive effort and received some additional help from 'Lady Luck' to preserve the win on Friday night in Ellis.

The two teams were statistically even in the contest. Ellis (9-4) produced 182 yards of offense to Oakley's 181, and both teams had nine first downs and three turnovers apiece.

The only statistic that set them apart was one 22-yard field goal by Oakley junior kicker Patrick Loftus.

"I thought both teams played physical," Ellis coach Butch Hayes said. "It was just a very hard-fought game by both teams. They just got that field goal on us."

The result was decided on a knife's edge as Ellis had opportunities to take the lead in the fourth quarter.

On third and 10 on its own 34-yard line, Ellis ran a tight end reverse pass, and the defense bit, leaving Ellis senior wide receiver Dillon Kinderknecht wide open deep down the field.

However, he was unable to make the catch, and the ball fell through his hands.

"My heart might have stopped a little bit right there," Oakley senior fullback/defensive back Brandon Maurath said. "It was a good play for them. It was all set up, and they ran it well. We just got lucky."

On Ellis' next drive, the Railroaders marched down the field, but the drive was ended on a fumble when senior quarterback Jacob Kinderknecht was sacked by Oakley senior linebacker Cody Stewart on Oakley's 43-yard line.

"Things were clicking," Ellis senior fullback/linebacker Gideon Fuchs said. "Mistakes happen. It was going good until then. We had things rolling."

Both defenses provided similar stops throughout the game.

In additional to those two drives, Jacob Kinderknecht threw two interceptions, and Ellis failed to convert a fourth and two in Oakley's territory.

"Every single play was a battle," Jacob Kinderknecht said. "Every single play was a war. We had memories of the last time we played them, and we put our heart into every single play."

For Oakley, senior quarterback Lex Parsons threw three interceptions, and Oakley failed to convert two fourth down conversion in Ellis' territory.

"They were blitzing the backers almost all night," Maurath said. "It was hard for us to get past that first level of defense."

Oakley gained all of its yards on the ground.

Senior running back Kraig Siruta led the Plainsmen in rushing with 63 yards on six carries, and Maurath added 55 yards on 18 carries.

"Our kids played hard," Oakley coach Randall Rath said. "We talk about when you play hard, you create opportunities. I think that is what happened for our kids."

Ellis provided more of a balanced attack, rushing for 103 yards and passing for 79 yards.

Fuchs led Ellis in rushing with 49 yards on 11 carries.

Jacob Kinderknecht contributed in every offensive category, rushing for 30 yards, passing for 46 yards and making a catch for 33 yards.

He also made up for two of his own interceptions on defense by picking off Parsons twice in the red zone.

"If I throw an interception, it definitely helps if I get one back on defense," Jacob Kinderknecht said. "It helps change the flow of the game towards us, so we can get it started on offense and, hopefully, drive it down the field again."

Oakley's lone score came near the end of the third quarter. The Plainsmen drove the ball 55 yards on 10 plays.

Parsons scrambled up the middle on third and 14, setting Loftus up for a short field goal over the middle of the field.

"It is a huge win," Maurath said. "We just want to keep going and get to state. This was the first step. We had to get this one."

Oakley's next step will be against Smith Center (11-0) on Friday in Smith Center.

Smith Center has won five consecutive state championships and is riding a nation-best 78-game, 11-man winning streak.

"Oakley plays physical," Hayes said. "We do too, and it is just unfortunate that we came out on the losing end. I wish Oakley luck."