PLEASANTON — With a playoff berth already in tow, Crest High’s football squad entered Thursday’s regular season finale with a purpose — to stay unbeaten in district play and in the Three Rivers League.
Host Pleasanton raced to an early 16-point lead.
But the Lancers righted their ship, tightened their defense and went home with a 58-22 win.
The victory puts Crest’s record at 8-1 on the season as they prepare to open the Kansas Eight Man Bi-District playoffs. Head Coach Brent Smith said he expected the team to play against Cedar Vale Dexter.
But first Crest had to handle a group of pesky Blu-Jays.
Pleasanton’s 16-0 lead lasted until Mordan Morton found Dexter Wiley on a 22-yard touchdown pass. Kyle Hammond capped the Lancers’ next two drives with touchdows, covering four and 57 yards.
Pleasanton scored its final touchdown midway through second quarter before Hammond hauled in a 12-yard pass from Morton to retake a 28-22 lead.
The second half was all Lancers. Dakota Ramsey plowed in on a three-yard touchdown run late in the third period. Hammond scored on touchdown runs measuring 29 and 23 yards and Morton hit Wiley on a 12-yard pass to complete the scoring.
Crest racked up 414 yards of offense and only one turnover. Hammond rushed for 180 yards, followed by Ramsey with 2, Wiley with 14 and Morton with 12.
Morton completed 7 of 9 passes for 124 yards. Wiley collected 61 yards on three catches. Hammond also had three catches, covering 60 yards. On defense, Jayden Bowen had 15 tackles. Ramsey and Luke Decker each had 13 tackles.
“I thought our kids played well in all three phases,” Smith said.
Lancers win district title
