Kansas 8-Man Spotlight: Wallace County v. St. Francis (PHOTO GALLERY)

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Sykotyk | October 1, 2023

On Friday night near the western fringe of Kansas, the St. Francis Indians traveled south to Sharon Springs to take on the host Wallace County Wildcats on a warm night on the prairie.

In 8-Man Division II, St. Francis came in winless on the field, while the Wildcats hailing from Sharon Springs came in with a 2-2 record. Winning two decidedly and losing two in close affairs. One by two points, another in overtime.

Early on, it was a defensive struggle. St. Francis recorded two fourth down stops early in the game. But a 4th and 2 attempt of their own ended in disaster. A fumble at the line of scrimmage was picked up by Tahryan Appelhans and returned about 30 yards for a score. A two point run failed to convert. And the Wildcats had a quick 6-0 lead.

But St. Francis kept grinding. A long drive would lead to a goal to go situation for the Sainty Indians, and they’d fail to convert following a sack on fourth and goal from the 14. The Wildcats would score on a 21 yard catch by Appelhans, giving the hosts a 12-0 lead with 2:28 left in the first half.

But they weren’t done just yet. After regaining possession, Tyler Korbe would take a 15 yard pass in for a touchdown. And Wallace County would tack on the two-point play. Giving them a comfortable, and imposing, 20-0 lead with 1:01 left in the first half.

St. Francis would hang tight, but couldn’t muster any points through the third frame. Neither did Wallace County score any. In the fourth, Kemper Benisch would go 5 yards for a score, to extend the lead, 26-0.

The snowball just started rolling. Tyler Korbe would get another score, on a 55 yard run with another incomplete pass on the conversion. But with 8:48 left in the game, the 45-point mercy rule started to loom in the distance.

Tyler Korbe would run right up to the line. Securing a 38-0 lead with a 6-yard touchdown run. With 5:24 left just a single score stood between an early finish and a full 48 minute game.

With the competitive portion of the game over, the final five-plus minutes wound off without a score. Giving St. Francis a minor victory of avoiding an early finish. But Wallace County still securing a comfortable and commanding, 38-0 win at home.

For more, and larger, photos from this game, click HERE.

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