Sports

CALDWELL — Caldwell shocked Central Plains at the start and finish to upset the Oilers 36-34 in Friday’s 8-Man Division 2 second round football playoff game. Bluejay Jude Stow scored the game-winning touchdown and intercepted the game-ending pass by Oiler quarterback Michael Laymon.

Another improbable run, another Lady Oiler volleyball championship. In 2019, Central Plains entered the Class 1A state tournament as the No. 7 seed, only to cruise through the competition. The 2020 bunch dropped out of the Class 1A, Div. I ranks just prior to the postseason.

The Ellsworth Bearcats played undoubtedly their highest quality game of the season Friday night against the Kismet-Southwestern Heights Mustangs. The Mustangs began with possession of the football. The Cats’ defense quickly stepped up and forced a turnover on downs.

The Wilson High School Dragons varsity football team fought valiantly, but lost to the Caldwell Bluejays Oct. 30 by a score of 20-68. Wilson mustered 149 yards of total offense during the game. That paled in comparison, however, to the 347 yards the Bluejays produced.

Ellsworth’s Lizzie Hipp, left, and Shaylee Leiker were named to the North Central Activities Association All-League Volleyball first team for 2020. ALAN RUSCH/Ellsworth County I-R

CLAFLIN — A season after missing the playoffs for just the second time in school history, Central Plains entered Friday night a Homecoming win away from hosting a 2020 playoff game. All the Oilers had to do was beat the cold wind and a Wilson team with three district wins of its own.

On Saturday, Oct. 24, the Ellsworth cross country runners competed at the 2020 regional hosted by Norton High School. It was the coldest race of the season, with temperatures right around the freezing mark. In order to be guaranteed a spot at the state meet in Wamego, Oct.

The Ellsworth Bearcats traveled the distance on Friday night to face the Minneapolis Lions in a frigid hardfought battle. The ‘Cats were trampled 43-12, ending their dreams of making it to postseason play. Ellsworth won the toss and elected to defer.

The Ellsworth High School Lady Bearcats Tennis Team took third overall Oct. 16-17, at the Kansas State High School Athletics Association State Tennis Tournament in Wichita. Two Lady ‘Cats doubles teams made the trip to state.

In a cold, hard fought home game on Friday night, the Ellsworth Bearcats came up short to the Phillipsburg Panthers, losing 22-21. The ‘Cats showed a lot of improvement on both sides of the ball. Ellsworth’s comeback was not enough, handing the Bearcats another loss on the season.