Worth County used three picks from Dylan McIntyre and 200+ yard rushing performances from both Aydan Gladstone and Alex Rinehart to power past East Atchison 76-42 Friday to advance to the State Semifinal game at North Shelby. Game time is 2 pm in the afternoon.
East Atchison got the ball and the wind to start the first quarter, but it didn’t matter, as Tanner Ridge and Jace Latham combined on a sock to force a three and out. On Worth County’s second play from scrimmage Aydan Gladstone, with the Wolves defense selling out to stop Rinehart, took it to the house from 59 yards out down the left sideline to make it 6-0.
The ensuing kickoff was ran back by Carter Holocek for a good gain, but a holding penalty wiped it o ut and brought it all the way back to the six. On fourth and one, East Atchison elected to go for it and tried to isolate Kaylin Merriweather, who was at full strength Friday after being half strength during the 28-26 loss to Platte Valley. It didn’t matter as Aydan Gladstone made a shoestring tackle to deny him and Worth County got the short field at the Wolves 15. Four plays later, Gladstone got a sneak into the end zone with 5:44 left to make it 12-0.
East Atchison marched right down the field as they finally got untracked. They overcame a fumble as they rode Merriweather into Tiger territory at the 37. Josh Smith picked up 10 more to the 27, and then a false start pinned them back to the 32. It didn’t matter as Jarrett Spinnato picked up six to the 26, and then Kaylin Merriweather put them on the board with 1:42 left. Spinnato caught the extra point pass to make it 12-8.
Tyler New ran back the ensuing squib kick to the 39, Alex Rinehart picked up six to the Wolves 35, and then Aydan Rinehart took it the rest of the way with 1:22 left. Jackson Runde caught the ensuing pass to make it 20-8. But East Atchison struck right back as Jarrett Spinnato took a quick hitter 51 yards to the house with 1:08 left to make it 20-14.
East Atchison kicked the ball into the end zone and Worth County started at their own 15. They moved the ball as Alex Rinehart picked up carries of 4 and 5 yards, the latter helped out by a vicious block from Gladstone. Aydan picked up two more carries to the 38 and then aired one out to Dylan McIntyre for 42 yards to the house with 10:58 left to make it 26-14. But once again, East Atchison answered right back. Pinned on their own 15, Merriweather took it 65 yards to the house with 10:47 left and Josh Smith ran in the extra points to make it 26-22.
There was a heartstopping moment on the next series when Levi Cassavaugh slipped and his knee hit the ground at the 5 on the ensuing kickoff. A holding penalty moved them back to the 3, and two incompletions set up third and 12. But on third down, Aydan Gladstone threw a strike over the middle to Levi Cassavaugh for 23 yards to the 26 to keep the drive alive. Alex Rinehart picked up three more to the 29 and then Aydan Gladstone got the call. He swept down the right side and Levi Cassavaugh got two players out of the way for him. He then reversed his field down the middle of the field and took it to the house. Cassavaugh caught a pass over the middle to make it 34-22 for the extra point try.
The Wolves got the ball on their own 18 and converted a fourth and two to the 28 for a first down. But on the ensuing play, Josh Smith left a pass too far and Dylan McIntyre picked it off at the East Atchison 32. They were backed up by a holding penalty and a sack, but then Dylan McIntyre reached across after catching a pass and got the necessary 19 yards to the 38 and the drive was kept alive. Alex Rinehart then started getting stronger and stronger as the game progressed, starting with the next play. He was apparently stopped for no gain on a sweep, only for him to break tackle after tackle to the 20. He then took a sweep down the right side and broke even more tackles as he took it to the house with 3:44 left in the first half to make it 40-22.
East Atchison could not answer as they were flagged for a Hurdling penalty on the ensuing drive. Worth County got the ball back at their own 35 with 1:45 left, plenty of time for another score. This time, Alex Rinehart took it down the right side, broke two tackles, and cut back to the middle to score from 45 yards out with 1:32 left. But the Wolves had an answer as a pass interference put the ball on the 29 and then Josh Smith scrambled for a touchdown with 30 seconds left to make it 48-28. There was another heartstopping moment as Holecek picked off Aydan Gladstone and ran it back to the Tiger 34. But a holding penalty brought it back to the Wolves 36. Jarrett Spinnato’s 16 yard catch and run brought it to the Tiger 30, and another score for the Wolves would have brought them back within two scores. But Dylan McIntyre got his second pick of the night to kill the drive.
The Wolves tried to regain their momentum with an onsides kick to start the second half, but Levi Cassavaugh caught it and ran it back to the Wolves 37. Aydan Gladstone picked up 10 to the 27, and then Alex Rinehart’s cutback run put the Tigers in the end zone with 11:24 left. Aydan Gladstone ran in the extra points to make it 56-24.
East Atchison drove into Tiger territory again at the 37, but then Dylan McIntyre got his third pick of the night. He apparently scored on the play, but it was called back to the Wolves 33 for a personal foul. It didn’t matter as Alex Rinehart picked up 12. Aydan Gladstone picked up 14 after getting a block from Creed Wilcox, and Alex Rinehart picked up three yards to the four. On the next play, he got a block from Jackson Smith and Levi Cassavaugh caught the extra point pass to make it 64-28.
Worth County tried an onsides kick, but the Wolves were ready for it. But the Tigers held on downs as a shovel pass fooled nobody and a fumbled snap set up fourth and 14 at the Wolves 38. East Atchison tried to go for it, but a tunnel screen only picked up seven yards and Worth County had the ball back on downs.
Alex Rinehart and Levi Cassavaugh took turns carrying the ball, and got into Wolves territory. On third and seven at the 21, Alex Rinehart got blocks from Dylan McIntyre and Levi Cassavaugh and took a sweep to the house with 18 seconds left in the third.
East Atchison elected to go for it on fourth and five at their own 20, but a shovel pass only netted one yard to the 21 and Worth County had the short field again. A holding penalty lose 12 yards and Gladstone was dripped for another yard, but on second and 23 from the 34, Alex Rinehart took an option pitch, reversed his field and took it in for the final score.
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