By TYLER HENRY
Lead Sportswriter - Salina Post
You can say many things about the Battle of Dickinson County, but you can never say it doesnât deliver on entertainment value.
This yearâs game was no exception, with a roller coaster of twists and turns culminating in a fourth-straight win for Abilene over Chapman by a final score of 16-12.
On the very first drive, Chapmanâs defense showcased speed and strength not seen out of the Irish in years, and forced a three-and-out to let everyone watching know this wouldnât be another blowout win.
A first-half fumble by Abilene marked the only notable end to a drive as the two teams entered the second quarter scoreless.
Then, the chaos began.
A holding penalty would erase an Audiel Becker rushing touchdown, and Chapman came up empty on the drive, fumbling the ball away.
Fortunately, the Cowboys were kind enough to return the favor, throwing an interception to Audiel Becker on the goal line.
The Irish made some headway, but fumbled the ball right back, and this time the Cowboys capitalized as Taygen Funston scrambled into the end zone from 12 yards out.
After forcing a punt and briefly losing Funston for a play to an apparent injury, Abilene went on the attack again, punching in a two-yard Lane Hoekman carry to take a 13-0 halftime lead.
The third quarter saw Chapmanâs first real chunk gain of the day when Audiel Becker broke a run down the far sideline for 55 yards, setting up a 5-yard Brecken Francis rushing touchdown to get the Irish on the board.
13-6, game on.
Abilene strung together their longest drive of the day and had first and goal from the one-yard line, but failed on two carries, took a sack, and had to settle for a Brandon Sims field goal.
The two teams traded punts, and with under five minutes to play deep in Cowboy territory, Chapman took a crucial sack on fourth down, turning the ball over on what could have been a game-icing play.
That would have been too simple.
The Irish defense immediately forced a three-and-out, and on the ensuing Abilene punt from their own end zone, Kaicen Deweese blocked the kick and Ian Sayers recovered for a touchdown.
Now trailing just 16-12, the Irish again stood tall, forcing a three-and-out to get the ball back with just under three minutes to go.
Chapman successfully drove the ball into Abilene territory and had a chance to take the lead, but the Irish underthrew a wide-open Isaac VanMeter in the end zone, and a Taygen Funston interception on the very next play would officially seal the deal.
Penalties played a huge role on both sides, with Abilene committing 10, and Chapman committing 15, including two that wiped out a total of eight points in what would go down as a four-point loss.
The Cowboys improve to 1-1 on the year while the Irish slide to 0-2.
Abilene will remain on the road at Concordia next Friday while Chapman stays home to host Riley County.