By TYLER HENRY
Salina Post contributor
After a dominant 48-0 shutout of Stanton County, the Ell-Saline Cardinals will head to Sedgewick for a rematch with the undefeated Cardinals.
Sedgwick will come into this one well-rested after a bye week in the opening round. Sedgewick defeated Ell-Saline 55-12 earlier this season.
Despite the tough loss five weeks ago, Ell-Saline feels they’ve matured as a team, and while they will be without Obed Ruiz for another week, the team will have Garrett Phelps, who missed the Sedgewick game earlier this year, back in the lineup.”
“We’re a different team than what Sedgewick faced earlier this season,” Cardinals head coach Joe Roche said. “We’ve had a lot of kids that have stepped into some different positions and have really taken pride in that but we also know that they’re better too and it’s going to be an interesting game.”
The first time these two met, it was a career day for Sedgewick quarterback Lance Hoffsommer, who finished the game 20-21 for 425 yards and seven touchdowns.
Of those seven TDs, an absurd five went to Ryan Stucky, who hauled in nine catches for 202 yards.
Sedgwick also has weapons on the ground, with the running back duo of Austin Cook and Corey Crumrine picking up whatever the passing game doesn’t through the air.
Like many teams facing high caliber offenses, Ell-Saline’s best bet will be to control the tempo of this game, and to try and keep that explosive offense off the field.
“I wouldn’t say this team feels fear but I do think we need to start the game the way we want to,” Roche said. “We know how explosive they are and we need to keep the chains moving to keep that clock running to keep thier offense off the field.”
Ell-Saline will need another big game from quarterback Kade Wilson, who will likely pass the 1,000 passing yard mark at some point during this game.
Wilson threw for 100 yards against Sedgewick earlier this season, but an interception and a fumble took the ball away from the Cardinals at pivotal moments in the loss.
Ell-Saline will also have to contend with a Sedgewick defense that hasn't allowed more than 14 points all season long.
“If we can control the clock through our running game, eliminate turnovers and cut out the stupid penalties we feel like we’ve got a chance in this one,” Roche said.
The winner of this game will advance to the 1A quarterfinals to await either 8-1 Smith Center or 5-3 Whitewater-Remington.
Kickoff in the battle of the Cardinals is set for 7pm at Sedgewick High School.