Varsity football defeats Baldwin, heads to Districts with a 5-1 record
The De Soto defense tackles a Baldwin running back on Oct. 7. DHS eventually won 43-0 over BHS.
The De Soto High School varsity football team took a huge win against Baldwin High School in their last game before Districts on Oct. 7.
In previous weeks, the Wildcats had made several mistakes in the first quarter that they would have to overcome later in the game. However, the team was strong from the beginning against Baldwin. DHS was able to score early with a 2-yard touchdown run by senior fullback Mason Clark. The defense held BHS scoreless with a quarterback sack by senior safety Max Barger. At the end of the first quarter, the Wildcats led 6-0.
Only a few minutes into the second quarter, Barger brought possession over to DHS when he intercepted a BHS pass, putting the ball on the 28-yard line. A big pass by junior quarterback Bryce Mohl to junior running back Trevor Watts gave the Wildcats a first down on the 17-yard line. With a 12-yard touchdown run by Mohl and a two-point conversion by junior running back Trevor Watts, DHS led 14-0.
After a bad snap by Baldwin, junior defensive lineman Zach Titus recovered the ball to bring possession back to De Soto. Mohl was able to connect with senior wide receiver Jackson Thaemert for a 23-yard touchdown pass. A two point conversion added by a rush by Mohl put the Wildcats up 22-0 with 6:59 remaining in the first half. Although the offense was unable to score again for the rest of the half, the defense continued to hold the Baldwin offense, making the halftime score 22-0.
Coming into the second half, the Wildcats started with possession of the ball, but were forced into a turnover. However, a quarterback sack by senior defensive end Daric Coffee helped force BHS to punt. A 29-yard touchdown run by Mohl and a PAT by senior kicker Michael Zuchowski put the Wildcats ahead 29-0 with 6:11 left in the third quarter.
A Baldwin turnover set junior running back Darren Winans up for a 72-yard touchdown run with a PAT, making the score 36-0 DHS.
The Wildcats claimed the win after a touchdown by junior running back Brayden Brummer, making the final score 43-0 DHS to improve DHS’ overall record to 5-1
According to Winans, this was the level the team was trying to get to all season.
“We started out pretty strong and just never stopped. We’ve been trying all season to put four quarters together, offense and defense, and it finally happened,” Winans said.
Head coach Brian King agreed with Winans, saying that “I’m very proud of our boys. I think that’s the best they’ve prepared and the best they’ve played. We’ve talked to them every week about improving every week and we really took a step forward.”
The Wildcats will be playing in district level games over the next three weeks, facing Spring Hill High School on Oct. 14, Bishop Miege High School on Oct. 21 and Eudora High School on Oct. 28.
“You have to come out and you have to execute and do what we do. That’s all you can do. You’ve got Spring Hill, and they’re a very confident team, they’ve been getting better every week. Then you have Miege, and you know what Miege is. Then we’re going to see Eudora, another Frontier League team. So, you just have to take one week at a time and play the best you can,” King said. “If we take care of business, I think we can play with anybody.”
Winans agreed with King that “these games are meaningful. We have worked all summer for weeks seven, eight, and nine. It’s the same game, we just have to stay focused and do what we do.”
King plans to take one week at a time and try and prepare as best they can each week. The Wildcats will play against Spring Hill in their first District game on Oct. 14.
“Good teams improve every week. We just have to keep focusing on what we do and what we do better,” King said.
