COUNCIL GROVE — As expected, the district-opening showdown between fellow unbeatens Humboldt and Council Grove came down to the bitter end Friday.
Unfortunately for the Cubs, Council Grove made the plays it needed to in the second half to secure a 20-14.victory to open Class 2A district play.
Humboldt led 14-7 after one quarter, courtesy of a 2-yard plunge from Trey Sommer and then a 37-yard keeper from quarterback Blake Ellis, but didn’t reach the end zone for the balance of the game.
A fourth-down pass inside the game’s final 30 seconds was batted down at the Council Grove 5-yard line.
Sommer rushed for 137 yards, while Ellis rushed for 71 and completed 9 of 17 passes for 82 yards.
Cole Mathes had 23 yards on the ground and 26 yards receiving on a pair of catches. Logan Page had two receptions for 29 yards and rushed for 14 yards. Sam Hull had an 11-yard carry to go with three catches for 15 yards.
Kyler Isbell keyed the defense with seven tackles, including two for losses. Maddox Johnson added five stops, including two for losses. River Kaufman and Sommer also had five tackles. Johnson and Hull added quarterback sacks.
Ace Monihan threw for 111 yards on 8 of 14 passing, Cade Goodell rushed for 57 yards and Ethan Burton and Jace Goodman had 57 and 48 receiving yards, respectively, to pace Council Grove.
Humboldt (3-1) looks to get back on the winning track Friday at home against Eureka.
Friday’s Scores
Area scores
Iola 28, Anderson County 14
Council Grove 20, Humboldt 14
Crest 46, Hartford 0
Marmaton Valley 58, Marais des Cygnes Valley 12
Wetmore 59, Southern Coffey 6
