Wildcats continue perfect season with rout of Wichita West

WICHITA — The Louisburg football team took its undefeated record, and No. 1 ranking, on the road Friday against an unfamiliar opponent in Wichita West.

Whatever doubts there were for the Wildcats were quickly dashed by halftime.

Louisburg scored 43 unanswered points against the Class 6A program and left Wichita with a 43-9 victory at Friends University. It was another well-rounded showing for the Wildcats as they improved their record to 6-0 on the season, despite the long travel to get there.

“It was definitely a different circumstance than we are typically used to,” Louisburg coach Drew Harding said of the close to 3-hour journey to Wichita. “It was a long road trip, but I thought the guys didn’t let that be a distraction and came out and played a pretty good game overall.”

Wichita West opened the game with the ball and the Pioneers drove down the field on the Louisburg defense, but the Wildcats held firm and forced a turnover on downs. From there, the Wildcat offense took over and never let up.

Senior Darby Van Eaton opened the scoring with an 11-yard touchdown run to go up 7-0 in the first quarter and the Wildcats put together several scoring drives in the second.

“I felt like we kind of came out trying to feel them out a little,” Harding said. “We were hoping for a faster start, but the defense was able to prevent a score there on the first drive, and after that I think we settled down and played more to who we are.”

Louisburg senior Ashton Moore scored three touchdowns on the night, including a 33-yard run to begin the second quarter. Junior Blaise Vohs ran in the 2-point conversion and the Wildcats were up 15-0.

Moore scored again on a 3-yard run on the next drive and senior Myles Vohs broke free on a 67-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Alex Saad and the Wildcats led 29-0 at halftime.

The Wildcats were able to move the ball against a bigger Wichita West front for most of the night and were able to win the line of scrimmage. The Louisburg offensive line of Brayden Yoder, Xander Lucas, Nate Capuro, Johnny Hendrickson and Miles Meek provided several lanes to run through.

“That was definitely the biggest fronts we have seen across the board both offensively and defensively,” Harding said. “I thought our guys up front on both sides of the ball played well.  I don’t think we have ever gone into a game thinking we were bigger than the other team, so those guys know they have to play with good technique and be physical.”

Louisburg added a pair of touchdowns in the third quarter on 1-yard run by Moore and a 2-yard touchdown pass from Saad to Myles Vohs.

Moore had a big night on the ground as he carried the ball 18 times for 119 yards and the three scores.

Saad was successful through the air as he completed 13 of 18 passes for 247 yards and two touchdowns. His favorite target was Myles Vohs, who had six catches for 129 yards. Senior Reid McCaskill also had a big night with 84 yards receiving.

Senior Logan Henry was all over the field to lead the Wildcat defense. The Wildcat defensive back had a team-high 13 tackles to go along with an interception.

Moore was second on the team with eight tackles, while Russell Wiseman, Erik Lien and Brayden Yoder each had six. Lien also had an interception.

Senior Conlee Hovey had 1.5 sacks, while Yoder and Moore also had a sack. 

“I thought offensively we were pretty efficient,” Harding said. “I thought we were able to run the ball when needed and were able to make some plays through the passing game as well. Defensively, other than maybe a few too many yards on that first initial drive, I thought they played well. This was a team that wanted to speed us up and play in space and I thought we responded well to the challenge.”

Louisburg will try to keep its winning streak alive this Friday as the Wildcats travel Ottawa for a Frontier League matchup. Ottawa is currently 5-1 on the season and Harding knows it will be a challenge.

“It is certainly a big game,” Harding said. “They are off to a really good start and are a good football team. I know Ottawa has some really good athletes and they are well coached, so it will be a challenge for sure. We will need a good week of preparation this week to get ready for them.” 

LOU 7 22 14 0 — 43

WW 0 0 0 9 — 9

SCORING SUMMARY

First Quarter

L: Darby Van Eaton 11 run (Blaise Vohs kick)

Second Quarter

L: Ashton Moore 33 run (Vohs run)

L: Moore 3 run (Vohs kick)

L: Myles Vohs 67 pass from Alex Saad (Vohs kick)

Third Quarter

L: Moore 1 run (Vohs kick)

L: M. Vohs 2 pass from Saad (Vohs kick)

Fourth Quarter

W: Safety

W: 14 yard run (kick good)

STATISTICS

RUSHING — Ashton Moore 18-119; Darby Van Eaton 2-10; Myles Vohs 1-2

PASSING — Alex Saad 13-18-247

RECEIVING — Myles Vohs 6-129; Reid McCaskill 2-84; Conlee Hovey 2-20; Ashton Moore 2-10, Darby Van Eaton 1-4

TACKLES — Logan Henry 13, Ashton Moore 8, Russell Wiseman 6, Erik Lien 6, Brayden Yoder 6, Conlee Hovey 5, Tate McGreer 5, Reid McCaskill 4, Bryce Thompson 4, Jimmy DeVary 4, Lucas Swartz 3, Myles Vohs 2, Gage Feldkamp 2, Rickey Giles 1, Josh Holtzen 1, Daniel Aponte 1, Cole Heinrich 1, Will Norton 1, Miles Meek 1, Aiden Kennedy 1, Casey Carpenter-Ross 1.