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Powerhouse Andale downs Hoisington 45-8
Hoisington cardinal logo
The Hoisington girls tennis team features Annabelle Gonzalez, Aubree Martin, Jaylin Kolas, Decelia Bray, Jillian Axman, Brennley Reif, Coach Kiley Klug

BY JIM MISUNAS
jmisunas@gbtribune.com

ANDALE — The Hoisington Cardinals didn't threaten Andale's 92-game home winning streak.

But the Cardinals achieved the first lead on Andale on Preston Merlau's opening 2-yard touchdown run after Leyton Mooney's fumble recovery. When Merlau converted the 2-pointer, the Indians trailed 8-0 for the first time in 2026.

Promptly warned, Andale reeled off the next 45 points for a dominating 45-8 quarterfinal football victory.

The Cardinals' offense gained 167 first-half rushing yards behind solid execution, but Hoisington committed four costly turnovers.

Andale's Luke Seiler recovered two fumbles and Emmett Eck and Jax Smith intercepted first-half passes.

Merlau rushed for 154 yards, the most rushing yards against Andale's hard-hitting defense.

Andale's lightning-quick Jayven Dansel rushed for 104 and scored on 25- and 34-yard runs. Quarterback Cruz Kaiser scored on 1- and 12-yard runs and completed a 35-yard touchdown pass to Afton Allaire for a 37-8 halftime lead.

Hoisington 8 0 0 0 — 8

Andale 31 6 8 0 — 45

H—Merlau 2 run (Merlau run); A—Kaiser 1 run (Kaiser run); A—Jayven Dansel 34 run (9 kick); A—Kaiser 12 run (Allaire run); A—Allaire 35 pass from Kaiser (Allaire run); A—Stanley 1 run (run fails); A—Jayven Dansel 25 run (Allaire run)

RUSHING—H—Merlau 20-154; Hahn 21-88; Cossel 2-18; Chambers 1-(-1); team 1-1; A—Jayven Dansel 14-104; Allaire 8-78; Jrayton Dansel 3-22; Kaiser 5-31; Stanley 6-24; team 1-2.

PASSING—H—Hahn 0-2-2; A—Kaiser 3-4-0, 53.

RECEIVING—H—; A—Allaire 1-35; Jrayton Dansel 1-14; Judd Eck 1-4.

3A SEMIFINALS—Andale 11-0 vs Holcomb 10-1; Frontenac 11-0 vs Jefferson West 9-2

QUARTERFINALS—Andale 45, Hoisington 8; Holcomb 31, Hesston 28; Frontenac 35, Baldwin 20; Jefferson West 14, Nemaha Central 7

SECOND ROUND—Andale 21, Cheney 0; Hoisington 26, Chapman 20; Holcomb 43, Wichita Collegiate 7; Hesston 49, Hugoton 0; Frontenac 49, Columbus 8; Baldwin 29, Topeka Hayden 28 (OT); Nemaha Central 22, Wellsville 21; Jefferson West 48, Burlington 6

FIRST ROUND WEST—Andale 1, Larned 0 (forfeit); Cheney 38, Pratt 14; Hoisington 38, Clay Center 6; Chapman 48, Concordia 20; Holcomb 55, Wichita Trinity 7; Wichita Collegiate 60, Goodland 18; Hesston 21, Scott City 6; Hugoton 53, Lyons 0

FIRST ROUND EAST—Frontenac 49, Osawatomie 0; Columbus 79, Iola 64; Topeka Hayden 43, Girard 12; Baldwin 56, Anderson County 0; Wellsville 68, Atchison 6; Nemaha Central 34, Perry 0; Jefferson West 56, Santa Fe Trail 7; Burlington 54, Holton 7