Logan-Palco football hosts first playoff game in 20 years

The Trojans were excited to host their first football playoff game in over 20 years and in the history of the Logan-Palco sports cooperative on Thursday, Oct. 31.

However, the Ashland Bluejays were fired up for the game as well. The Bluejays dominated the 1st half as the Trojans failed to execute. The Trojans turned the ball over on downs twice, gave up an interception as well as an onside kick, and suffered several penalties while the Bluejays put 12 points on the board.

Things were looking grim for the Trojans, but late in the first half, a long high pass to senior Caleb Sparks changed the momentum of the game as he tipped the ball off of his fingertips to himself, jostled it for a few steps, stiff-armed a defender, then ran it to the house for the score.

That play gave the Trojans the drive they needed for the second half. They came back to score 54 points to roll over the Bluejays and win the playoff game 62-18.

Sparks caught 4 passes for 119 yards and two touchdowns during the contest. Senior Kaden Graham added 2 receptions for 39 yards and a Trojan score. Senior Mayson Vahling led the team in rushing with 151 yards on 15 carries and a touchdown. Rhett Kats rushed for 104 yards and two scores, while Carson Knipp added 52 yards and Case Ashmore 48 yards including a touchdown. Freshman Kallyn Martin also scored on a 10-yard rush.

Several team members contributed conversions on the night including Ashmore (2), Kats, Vahling, and Sparks as well as a 2-pointer by sophomore Collin Sparks.

Ashmore and Caleb Sparks led in tackles with 9 each. Kats added 8, Graham 7, Knipp and Ryan Prewo each had 5. The Trojan defense intercepted 3 Bluejay passes and forced a fumble.

The 8-1 Trojans will advance to Regional competition on Friday, Nov. 8 as they travel to Hutchinson to play Hutchinson Central Christian who also has a record of 8-1. The showdown will begin at 6 p.m.

To see the Class 8 Division II bracket, see the link below.