HOISINGTON 28, ELLSWORTH 15

HOISINGTON — Hoisington's hard-running Kyler Dean Russell sparked a 28-15 playoff victory over Ellsworth with a game-clinching 38-yard touchdown run in the 2A football playoffs. Russell, who gained 113 yards, scored after Jason Robinson's key interception. 

Hoisington (5-4) scored a trio of second-half touchdowns to earn a home game against Haven (7-2). The Cardinals have swept 11 consecutive opening-round playoff wins and nine in a row against Ellsworth.

Cardinal quarterback Rhen Galla scored a pair of touchdowns and Robinson scored on a 6-yard run. Ellsworth (5-4) broke up a shutout on Daxton Leiker's 86-yard kickoff return. Landin Johnson scored on a 3-yard run.

"Defensively, we were locked in and ready to go," said Hoisington coach Zach Baird. "We played good in all facets. Ellsworth is physical and tough defensively. We showed resiliency and toughness."

Ellsworth 0 0 0 15 — 15

Hoisington 7 0 7 14 — 28

H—Rhen Galla 3 run (Taylen Morales kick); H—Jason Robinson 6 run (Morales kick); H—Galla 8 run (Gabe Pawlowski kick); E—Daxton Leiker 86 kickoff return (kick); H—Kyler Dean Russell 38 run (Morales kick); E—Landin Johnson 3 run (Tucker Goss run)

RUSHING—E—54; Johnson 10-21; H—Russell 18-113

PASSING—E—Donley 8-11-2, 122

2A SECOND ROUND

Humboldt 9-0 vs. Riverton 4-5; Council Grove 6-3 vs. Silver Lake 7-2; Osage City 9-0 vs. St. Marys 6-3; Nemaha Central 8-1 vs. Sabetha 6-3; SE Saline 9-0 vs. Norton 8-1; Hoisington 5-4 vs. Haven 8-1; Garden Plain 7-2 vs. Phillipsburg 6-3; Beloit 7-2 vs. Halstead 4-5

2A FIRST ROUND

Humboldt 57, Atchison County 8; Riverton 40, Eureka 36; Council Grove 35, Caney Valley 14; Silver Lake 61, Galena 0; Osage City 76, Bluestem 6; St. Marys 49, Central Heights 0 Nemaha Central 55, Fredonia 13; Sabetha 16, Royal Valley 14; SE Saline 76, Larned 12; Norton 33, Hillsboro 22; Hoisington 28, Ellsworth 15; Haven 38, Cimarron 7; Garden Plain 48, Douglass 0; Phillipsburg 16, Kingman 6; Beloit 41, Minneapolis 14; Halstead 36, Lakin 6