5 2nd-quarter TDs lift Olpe to big win over Solomon
By The Emporia Gazette (Contact)
Wednesday, November 1, 2006
Olpe fought off a sluggish start to the first half and exploded for 61 total points as the Eagles routed Solomon, 61-8, in the opening round of the Class 2-1A State playoffs Tuesday night in Olpe.
The Eagles’ first two possessions failed to reach the end zone, but kicker Dallas Burenheide still was able to convert, kicking two field goals for 30 and 45 yards.
“He banged them through real good,” Olpe coach Mike Plunkett said.
The offense didn’t get going until Jordan Pargmann returned a punt 60 yards for a touchdown.
“After that,” Plunkett said, “we did whatever we wanted to do.”
Olpe proceeded to score seven straight touchdowns, five in the second quarter alone.
“Everyone on our team played real well,” Plunkett said.
Part of the inflated score came because the Eagles were motivated, in part, because of some exchanging of words, Plunkett said.
“We got ourselves in trouble for running our mouths on the field,” Plunkett said. “That kind of stuff kept the emotions up a little bit.”
Olpe’s defense also had a good night, only giving up 172 yards of total offense. Solomon’s only touchdown came late in the fourth quarter, as Olpe’s second-team offense fumbled in its own end zone and Solomon recovered.
Olpe advances to play Uniontown (9-1) on Saturday.
Madison 52, Marmaton Valley 20
Madison jumped out to an early lead and never looked back, as the Bulldogs topped Marmaton Valley, 52-20, in the first round of the State playoffs Tuesday night in Moran.
Madison assistant coach Barry Schultz said Marmaton Valley attempted to stack six players on the line of scrimmage to slow Madison’s run game.
“If you get past the first wave,” Schultz said. “you only have one guy to shake.”
That resulted in four touchdowns for Madison coming from outside the red zone.
“We knew we could score,” Schultz said.
Schultz said the game was decided with defense. He said it was a matter of which team could stop the other’s normally-prolific offense from scoring.
“We didn’t want to give them anything long,” Schultz said.
Jordan Stout led the Bulldogs with 260 yards on 20 carries and three touchdowns.
Madison will play Clifton-Clyde (10-0) on Saturday.
Lyndon 18, Immaculata 0
Lyndon coach Damon Leiss had nothing but praise for his defense, as Lyndon rolled in the opening round of the playoffs in an 18-0 victory over Immaculata Tuesday night in Leavenworth.
“We had one helluva defensive game,” Leiss said. “The defense played one of their best games all year.”
Leiss said the game was sealed when Robert Green and Kade Nielson teamed up for a safety in the fourth quarter. It was the first of two safeties for Lyndon (6-4).
“The first (safety) iced the game for us,” Leiss said.
Leiss noted that defensive back Quinn Kirsop had an exceptional game with several tackles for losses, a 67-yard reception for a touchdown and the second safety.
“He had an unbelievable game,” Leiss said.
While high on the defensive effort, he was less enthusiastic about the offense. While not bad, he said, there was room for improvement.
“They were really sluggish,” Leiss said. “(Immaculata) was really keen on (running back) Kade (Nielson).”
Lyndon will play Centralia (6-4) on Saturday.
Burlington 50, Erie 22
Lance Jones scored three times Tuesday night to help the Burlington Wildcats earn a 50-22 victory over Erie in the first round of the State playoffs in Burlington.
Jones scored on a 3-yard, first quarter touchdown run and twice in the third quarter on a 33-yard interception return for a touchdown and another TD run, this time from 8 yards out. He ended with 12 carries for 117 yards on the ground.
Burlington (8-2) jumped out to a 50-0 lead by the midway point of the third quarter, and even though Erie (3-7) mounted three straight scoring drives, Erie could never draw within striking distance after a scoreless fourth quarter on both sides.
Burlington advances to play Caney (7-3) on Saturday.
Gazette sports correspondent Ken Easthouse and sport editor Michael Ashford contributed to this report.