🏈 Hall leads Mustangs past Jaguars in opening-round showdown

By TYLER HENRY
Lead Sportswriter - Salina Post

Salina Central’s 5A title defense got off to a strong start on Thursday as the Mustangs defeated Andover Central 17-10 in front of a full house at Salina Stadium.

The Mustang defense held the line, forcing two late stops, including a Griffin Hall interception in the closing minutes, to seal the deal and punch their ticket to the second round.

Ethan Gragg and Connor Scripter traded field goals early in a contest that appeared to be a defensive duel through a quarter and a half.

Midway through the second quarter, Central scored the game’s first touchdown when Griffin Hall hit King Anderson on a 27-yard bomb down the near sideline.

On the ensuing drive, Abe Perez picked off the Jaguar quarterback, setting the Mustangs up for another long touchdown pass, this time to Jackson Leonard from 31 yards out.

Andover Central would score one touchdown before all was said and done, but the Mustang defense played lights out in the second half, culminating in the game-winning interception from Griffin Hall on the Jaguar offense’s final play.

In addition to that interception, Hall completed 8-of-16 for 92 yards and two touchdowns, also leading the Mustang rushing attack with 24 carries for 131 yards.

Andover Central’s season draws to a close at 3-6 while the Mustangs improve to 6-3. Central will take on the winner of Kapaun Mt. Carmel (8-0) and Newton (1-7) in the second round next Friday.

You can watch this game back any time on demand below.