by Tanner Ford, wellington.cc

The Wellington Crusaders traveled to El Dorado September 30 and took care of business paving their way to a 45-8 victory over the Wildcats. The Dukes were in control the entire game, going for a shutout until El Dorado scored a 4th-quarter touchdown on a 67-yard run.

The Crusaders continue to have a well-balanced offense as they racked up 207 yards through the air and 202 yards on the ground. Malachi Rogers continues his great season with 177 rushing yards and 3 touchdowns while also throwing a 43-yard touchdown pass to Jack Wright. Kenny Redford added 164 yards and 2 touchdowns passing to Cope Henry and Skyler Branam. Wright was also a perfect 6 for 6 on PAT attempts and added a 22-yard field goal.

Despite the Crusader offense turning the ball over 5 times, the defense stepped up and didn’t let El Dorado capitalize on them, only allowing 154 yards and 8 points. Wellington’s defense only had to worry about the run game in this one; El Dorado only attempted one pass the entire game. 

This win makes the Wellington football team 3-2 on the season with only losses coming from 3A powers, Andale and Wichita Collegiate. Next up for the Crusaders is the McPherson Bullpups here at home on October 8. 

                     Q1  Q2  Q3  Q4   Final

Wellington   10   14   14   07   45

El Dorado    00   00   00   08   08

Stats:

Passing:

#13 Kenny Redford 8/19 164 yds, 2 TDs, 3 INTs

#2 Malachi Rogers 1/1 43 yds, 1 TD

Rushing:

#2 Malachi Rogers 15 att, 177 yds, 3 TDs

#13 Kenny Redford 7 att, 21 yds, 2 FUM

#40 Cayson Ramirez 1 att, 0 yds

#7 Mekhi Haskin-Ybarra 1 att, 3 yds

#27 Jalik Armstrong 3 att, 1 yd

Receiving:

#4 Jack Wright 4 rec, 72 yds, TD

#15 Cope Henry 2 rec, 63 yds, TD

#3 Montel Tate 1 rec, 18 yds

#5 Bordy Weir 1 rec, 22 yds

#10 Skyler Branam 1 rec, 32 yds, TD

Defense:

#2 Malachi Rogers FUM Rec

#4 Jack Wright FUM Rec

Punts:

#2 Malachi Rogers 2, 51 yds

PAT/FG:

#4 Jack Wright 6/6 PAT’s, 1/1 FG

Kick Returns:

#25 Nick Giefer 2, 15 yds

VARSITY FOOTBALL V. EL DORADO 093022

Photos by Michaela Stufflebeam/WHS Crusader Yearbook & Katie Ford/wellington.cc