Two unbeaten teams remained in Class 2A, District 8 heading into the fifth week of the season, Ellsworth and Hoisington. Top-ranked Hoisington beat Ellsworth in dominating fashion Friday night with a 49-7 win.

Ellsworth won the coin toss and chose to defer. Hoisington received the ball on the north end of the field.

The Cardinals needed just five plays to march 61 yards in under three minutes, ending with a 29-yard touchdown run by Wyatt Pedigo. The PAT kick was good, giving Hoisington a 7-0 lead.

Ellsworth’s first drive resulted in a quick four and out and they were forced to punt.

On Hoisington’s next drive, quarterback Mason Haxton converted on fourth-and-short, and that run was followed by a one-yard touchdown run by Pedigo around the end and a successful extra point attempt, giving Pedigo his second score of the night and a 14-0 lead with 3:14 remaining in the first quarter.

To open the second quarter, the Bearcats marched deep into Cardinal territory on its next drive until they were stopped on the 10-yard line to bring up fourth down. Ellsworth faked a field goal, but Dayton Davis’ pass was picked off by Joshua Ball and ran in to Bearcat territory. Seven plays later, Cole Steinert ran it in for an 8-yard touchdown run for the Cardinals. The PAT kick was good, giving Hoisington a 21-0 lead.

On the following drive, Ellsworth again marched into Cardinal territory, but was stopped quickly with a 58-yard pick-six by Pedigo. The extra point was good, giving the Cardinals a 28-0 lead with 5:47 remaining in the half.

The Cardinals’ defense stepped it up for the rest of the first half, leaving the ‘Cats scoreless going into halftime.

To open the second half, Ellsworth began with the ball but the ‘Cats were quickly forced to punt. The Cardinals again responded with a 15-yard touchdown pass from Haxton to Pedigo and a successful extra point attempt.

The ‘Cats got their first points on the board on their next drive with a 2 yard touchdown run by quarterback Morgan Kelley. Alberto Socorro de la Fuente’s PAT kick was good, making the score 35-7 to end the third quarter.

To open the fourth quarter, the Cardinals scored again with a 3-yard touchdown run by Joshua Ball. Pedigo later added another pick-six to add to the Cardinal lead. Both extra points were good, giving the Cardinals a 49-7 lead.

The game concluded with defensive stops by Hoisington and a kneel to run the clock.

The win gave Ellsworth their first loss of the season, making their record 4-1.

The ‘Cats will travel to Phillipsburg Friday night to play the Panthers. The Panthers are 2-3 on the season. The game will begin at 7 p.m.