Wynot advances to next round in D2 playoffs
WYNOT — The Wynot Blue Devils showed off their offensive firepower as they hosted the Mullen Broncos in the second round of the D2 state football playoffs Friday afternoon.
Wynot scored on their first five offensive possessions in this game as they rolled to a 50-20 win.
Wynot’s defense controlled the line of scrimmage most of the night as Mullen found it tough going until late in the game against the Blue Devil reserves.
Wynot’s potent passing attack was on full display in this one as Dylan Heine was 5-6 for 149 yards and three touchdowns. Tight-end Chase Schroeder was his favorite target as he had touchdown receptions of 47, 46 and 25 yards.
Zack Foxhoven would provide balance rushing for 101 yards on just 5 carries. Mullen’s offense was led by Chase Gracey who passed for 111 yards and rushed 80 yards.
Wynot’s defense was paced by Kasen Koch and Andrew Haberman with 12 and 10 tackles respectively. Jed Nelson and Parker Schmidt each had a fumble recovery for the Blue Devils.
The Broncos defense was lead by Alex Werner with 6 tackles and Tate Kvaning with 3 tackles. Justin French also had an interception for Mullen.
Wynot got off to a quick start in this game; on the very first play from scrimmage Zack Foxhoven broke a 52-yard run to the Broncos nine yardline. On the second play Dylan Heine hit Joseph Sudbeck for the opening touchdown.
Sudbeck also caught the PAT and Wynot was up 8-0 with less than a minute gone in the game.
Mullen would go three and out as Wynot would mount another drive. Zack Foxhoven would take an option pitch and race 29 yards for a big gain and two plays later Kasen Koch swept the right side for the 12 yard touchdown.
The PAT pass was not good as Wynot had earned the 14-0 early lead.
Mullen would move the ball on their next possession. Helped along the way by a couple of encroachment penalties on the Blue Devils they moved into Blue Devil territory. The Broncos would miss on a 23 yard field goal attempt to end the drive. The Blue Devils would answer quickly. An initial first down run by Foxhoven started the drive and then Dylan Heine hooked up with Chase Schroeder on a 46 yard touchdown toss. The PAT pass was no good as the Blue Devils had taken the 20-0 lead at the end of the first quarter.
Wynot’s defense continued to frustrate the Bronco offense as they stalled Mullin’s next drive.
Wynot struck from long distance as Heine found Chase Schroeder up the seam for a 47-yard touchdown catch and run. Heine ran a quarterback draw up the middle for the PAT to make the score 28-0.
Mullen moved the ball into Blue Devils territory behind the hard running of Tate Kvaning, but the Blue Devil defense stiffened and stopped them on downs at the 31-yard line.
A touchdown pass to Foxhoven was called back on a block in the back call but that did not deter the Devils offense as they still marched to paydirt. Powered by a 20-yard run by Zack Foxhoven and a 22-yard catch and run by Joseph Sudbeck, Wynot moved the ball deep into Bronco territory.
Kasen Koch capped the drive with the threeyard blast over the right side for the score. Chase Schroeder caught the PAT as Wynot held the 36-0 advantage at halftime.
Mullen fumbled the kickoff to open the second half and Jed Nelson recovered it at the Broncos 30 yard-line. Two plays later Dylan Heine hit Chase Schroeder on a screen play and he did the rest galloping 25 yards for his third touchdown of the night. Zack Foxhoven added the PAT as Wynot’s big lead started the running clock.
The Blue Devil defense caused a Bronco fumble on their next series and Parker Schmidt pounced on it at the 30 yard-line. The Blue Devils would give the ball right back on a fumble of their own.
Mullen would mount a drive from the 31 yard line. Helped by an interference call and an 11yard fourth down reception by Alex Werner the Broncos moved deep into Blue Devil red zone. Chase Gracey bulled in from the three yard-line to cap the drive. Gracey also ran in the PAT and Mullen was on the board but trailed 44-8 as the third quarter came to an end.
Reserves played the fourth quarter for Wynot with the running clock in play. At the 9:40 mark, Mullen got its second touchdown on a 48-yard toss from Chase Gracey to Alex Werner. The PAT run was stopped and the score stood at 44-14.
This time the Blue Devils would answer. A key 18-yard catch on fourth down by Killian Steinhaus kept the drive alive. Devin Brummer found Braylon Hans over the middle for the 20-yard touchdown. The PAT run was no good as Wynot’s lead stood at 50-14.
Mullen would add one more score to their totals in the final minutes on an 8 yard touchdown pass from Brandon Harder to Cooper Walker to make the final tally 50-20.
Wynot will host an old foe in the next round as they take on the Humphrey Saint Francis Flyers Friday.
Wynot 20 16 8 6 — 50 Mullen 0 0 8 12 — 20 Wynot Mullen rushing 17-174 46-178 passing 8-13-191 7-11-119 total 365 299
PASSING
Wynot - Dylan Heine 5-6-149; Devin Brummer 3 -7 -42. Mullen - Chase Gracey 6-9-111; Brandon Harder 1-2-8 RUSHING
Wynot - Zack Foxhoven 5-101; Kasen Koch, 5-37; Dylan Heine, 2-19. Mullen - Chase Gracey, 19-80; Cooper Walker, 4-22; Justin French, 7-24.
RECEIVING
Wynot - Chase Schroeder, 3-116; Joseph Sudbeck, 2-27; Braylon Hans, 1-20; Mullen - Alex Werner, 2-55; Tate Kvaning, 3-46; Cooper Walker, 1-8.
TACKLES
Wynot - Kasen Koch, 12; Andrew Haberman, 10; Chase Schroeder, 5; Zack Foxhoven, 5. Mullen - Alex Werner 6; Tate Kvaning 3; Chase Gracey 3; James Kessler, 3.