(Audubon) The Audubon football team notched a playoff win Friday night. A 55-20 decision over Stanton/Essex sends the Wheelers into the round of 16.
Gavin Smith ran 34 times for 259 yards and five scores. The senior quarterback runs his career total up to 125 touchdowns (rushing, passing, and return TD’s).
It was the visitors that got off to the quick start. Stanton/Essex struck on their 3rd play from scrimmage. Backed up to a 3rd and 8, they brought in Joshua Martin at quarterback and shifted Carter Johnson to wide receiver. The duo hooked up on a 60 yard strike with 7:06 to go in the first. The Vikings connected on a halfback pass to convert the two-point conversion and led 8-0.
Audubon answered back two plays later. Smith ripped off a 58 yard scoring run to get the Wheelers within 8-7. Matt Beisswenger booted through the extra point. He’d end up 7/7 on PAT’s along with field goals from 42 and 31 yards out.
Stanton/Essex kept the pressure on when Logan Roberts carried in from three yards out late in the 1st. The Vikings led 14-7 at that point.
Gavin Smith TD runs of one and 13 yards helped Audubon take their first lead. The 13 yard scoring prance came on a 4th and three and put the Wheelers in front for good.
Audubon outscored Stanton/Essex 17-0 in the 2nd. Matt Beisswenger’s 42 yard field goal with less than a minute to go until halftime helped the Wheeler’s momentum swell.
Stanton/Essex showed signs of fighting back early in the 2nd half. With 11:04 to go in the third quarter Carter Johnson broke loose on a 43 yard run to close within four at 24-20. Audubon controlled the rest of the third quarter and continued to pull away in the 4th.
Smith had 2nd half touchdown runs from one and 11 yards. Carter Andreasen and Braden Wessel also got involved in the fun. Andreasen carried six times for 74 yards including a 17 yard TD in the final few minutes. Five of his attempts and 73 of his yards came after halftime. Braden Wessel ran for 29 yards on three attempts with a 14 yard TD on an option pitch.
Stanton/Essex tallied over 200 yards on the ground, but went just 4/13 through the air. Carter Johnson ran 17 times for 125 yards. Logan Roberts added 102 yards on 21 carries.
Audubon tallied 362 rushing yards and 105 passing yards. Gavin Smith completed 6/14 throws. Garrett Christensen had a 36 yard catch, Jackson Deist caught two balls for 30 yards, and Braden Wessel hauled in a 25 yard grab down the seam.
Christensen posted three sacks including one on a turnover on downs that gave Audubon the ball on the Stanton/Essex 13 yard line. Gavin Larsen had a team high 12 tackles. Braden Wessel posted an interception.
The Wheelers improve to 8-1 on the season. They are 5-2 in the playoffs the last three years. Stanton/Essex ends the year at 6-3.
Audubon coach Sean Birks:
