HOISINGTON (8-2) at ANDALE (10-0) RADIO—100.3 FM VIDEO—adastraradio.com BY JIM MISUNAS jmisunas@gbtribune.com When Hoisington lost to Andale in the 3A playoffs, Cardinal football Zach Baird was a youngster the only time the teams met in 1986. "I was running around my parents' house creating all sorts of mayhem," Baird said. Andale (10-0) is a nine-time 3A state champion. Hoisington (8-2) earned a pair of runner-up 2A state trophies in 2020 and 2023 riding 15 consecutive playoff trips. Pratt's team that featured Canadian Football League halfback Travis Theis is the best football team Baird has coached against. "Andale is the best football program we've ever faced because there's not many programs that have been that successful," Baird said. Quarterback Kolter Hahn is the Cardinals' leading rusher and receiver and freshman backup Colton Staudinger leads Hahn in passing yardage. "Colton is a competitor," Baird said. "His best quality is how he's competes." Back Preston Merlau sparks a well-rounded running game. Center Karson Kinman, guards Knoxly Nettleingham, Bentley Corbett, tackles Leyton Mooney, Brody Corbett pave the way for the Cardinals' run game, which must control the football offensively. "When we're playing well, good things happen — give them all the credit," Baird said. "They've gone to work every day and gotten better." Andale quarterback Cruz Kaiser joins backs Afton Allaire, Jrayton Dansel and Noah Stanley in a perfectly balanced run game. "It's a challenge, but we're excited about the opportunity. It's a tall task, but every competitor loves it when it's tough," Baird said. "Andale is the gold standard for 3A football. We've got to beat the best team. We've got to locked in and play our absolute best football." The Indians snap the football quickly after they rush to the line of scrimmage. The Indians play tight-end power football with the backfield speed to hit big plays. "When Andale snaps it quick, it's tough to see what formation they're in," Baird said. "They'll run the football right at you with a physical style until you stop them. Then, they'll try and fool you with a play." Tackle Luke Fowler keys Andale's defense that emphasizes team speed and pursuit. "They make it look easy," Baird said. "We're preparing for some blitzes." CARDINAL OFFENSE—2 WR—Leighton Eubanks; 10 TE—Corbyn Holinde; 12 WB—Kaidenn Chambers; 13 QB—Kolter Hahn; 23 TB—Preston Merlau; 53 RG—Bentley Corbett; 54 LG—Knoxly Nettleingham; 55 RT—Brody Corbett; 65 LT—Leyton Mooney; 77 C—Karson Kinman CARDINAL DEFENSE—2 WR—Leighton Eubanks; 3 OLB—Xander Mooney; 4 S—Logan Cossel; 8 MLB—Parker Turner; 10 MLB—Corbyn Holinde; 13 S—Kolter Hahn; 21 DE—Drew Hekele; 55 OLB—Brody Corbett; 65 DE—Leyton Mooney; 77 NG—Karson Kinman HOISINGTON PLAYFF HISTORY (36-26) 2026—3A—Hoisington 28, Clay Center 6; Hoisington 26, Chapman 20; Andale vs Hoisington 2025—2A—Hoisington 74, Halstead 24; Hoisington 46, Hillsboro 6; Hoisington 36, Garden Plain 7; SE Saline 22, Hoisington 12 2024—2A—Hoisington 28, Ellsworth 15; Hoisington 24, Haven 14; SE Saline 30, Hoisington 8 2023—2A—Hoisington 46, Phillipsburg 8; Hoisington 35, Beloit 6; Hoisington 49, SE Saline 42; Hoisington 30, Norton 21; FINALS—Nemaha Central 28, Hoisington 14 2022—2A—Hoisington 42, Phillipsburg 18; Hoisington 28, Russell 22; SE Saline 44, Hoisington 21 2021—2A—Hoisington 35, Ellis 14; Hays-TMP 36, Hoisington 27 2020—2A—Hoisington 47, Ellis 0; Hoisington 1, Cimarron 0; Hoisington 28, Garden Plain 14; Hoisington 26, Beloit 0; FINALS—Rossville 27, Hoisington 20 2019—2A—Hoisington 47, SW Heights 0; Hoisington 48, Lakin 7; Hoisington 48, Garden Plain 22; Norton 10, Hoisington 8 2018—2A—Hoisington 38, Sterling 13, Hoisington 41, Cimarron 18; Hoisington 30, Hutchinson Trinity 0; Phillipsburg 31, Hoisington 14 2017—3A—Hoisington 47, Cimarrron 22; Phillipsburg 35, Hoisington 6 2016—3A—Hoisington 56, Lakin 13; Hoisington 20, Norton 0; Hoisington 49, Garden Plain 8; Hesston 35, Hoisington 19 2015—3A—Hoisington 76, Cimarron 19; Hoisington 50, Washington County 6; Halstead 44, Hoisington 6 2014—3A—Hoisington 48, Cimarron 6; Minneapolis 17, Hoisington 14 2013—3A—Holcomb 21, Hoisington 6 2012—3A—Holcomb 28, Hoisington 7 2009—3A—Hoisington 35, Phillipsburg 6; Scott City 41, Hoisington 7 2008—3A—Beloit 52, Hoisington 20 2007—3A—Hoisington 55, Holcomb 25; Hoisington 45, Sacred Heart 35; Garden Plain 55, Hoisington 7 2006—3A—Hoisington 41, Holcomb 28; Sacred Heart 48, Hoisington 45 2005—3A—Hesston 21, Hoisington 0 2004—3A—SE of Saline 20, Hoisington 19 2002—3A—Phillipsburg 14, Hoisington 13 1998—3A—Smith Center 74, Hoisington 0 1997—3A—Smith Center 50, Hoisington 14 1992—3A—Holcomb 20, Hoisington 14 1990—3A—Hoisington 6, Belleville 3; Chase County 7, Hoisington 6 1986—4A—Andale 20, Hoisington 6