Thursday FB: Indians win wild one in Leoti, 88-66

Sometimes, when the playoffs begin in high school sports, it's who can make the adjustments that can make a difference in a game.

Head Coach Brent Douglas and the Wichita County coaching staff did a whale of a job of that very coaching trait on Thursday in the Cross-District Round of the 8-man Division I football playoffs.

After a track-meet-like contest broke out in the first half, the Indians stepped up on defense and dominated the second half of play, beating Victoria in the process, 88-66, and advancing to the regional round of the playoffs next weekend.

Junior quarterback Kayden Rietzke did his thing, rushing for five touchdowns and passing for four others. Three of his TD runs came in the second half, helping Wichita County (8-1) rally from a 60-46 halftime deficit.

Aron Castillo and Sheldon Whalen each caught two TD passes, while Jesse Gardner added three rushing TDs of his own in the win.

The two teams combined to score 70 points in the first quarter, with the host Indians holding a 40-30 lead at the quarter break. But the Knights (6-3) outscored the boys from Leoti, 30-6, in the second quarter to build up their halftime lead.

The Wichita County defense did not allow another score until there was 3:12 left in the game. By that time, the Indians had an 88-66 lead. The Indians outscored their guests, 42-6, in the second half.

Wichita County will face the winner of Friday's contest between Hoxie (4-4) and No. 5 Clifton-Clyde (8-0) next weekend.

Other Thursday Finals:

8-man Division II

Osborne 56, Wallace County 8

6-man

Weskan 58, Ashland 54

Golden Plains 60, Pawnee Heights 8