Defense sparks Panthers to 14-6 win over Abilene

ABILENE — With  the Concordia and Abilene offenses struggling to put points on the board, it seemed appropriate that was a defensive play that proved to be a game changer.
The North  Central Kansas League matchup was scoreless until Concordia sophomore Wyatt Trost intercepted a Jackson Randles pass and returned it 30 yards for a touchdown with 3:37 to play in the third quarter.
Dyelan Reed threw to Trost for the two-point conversion that gave the Panthers an 8-0 lead.
Abilene would close the gap to 8-6 on an 80-yard scoring run by Randles, but Concordia got a stop on the two-point conversion attempt.
The Panthers then went 58 yards in 11 plays, and Hunter Schroeder scored on a 1-yard run with 32 seconds on the clock to secure a 14-6 road win Friday night in wet, sloppy conditions.
“I thought our guys just wanted to more in the third and fourth quarters, and that is what propelled us to the win,” Concordia coach Austin Kingsbury said.
Concordia had dropped its season opener 21-6 to Wamego at home, while Abilene downed Clay Center, 30-6.
Both teams had scoring opportunities in the first half, but couldn’t convert.
A fumble recovery gave the Panthers the ball on the 47-yard line about midway through the third quarter.
Reed completed a 17-yard pass to Trost on first down.
Three plays later,  Reed had a pass intercepted in the end zone.
Taking over on its own 20-yard line, the Cowboys were facing a third down and 10 when Trost picked off Randles and returned it for a touchdown with 3:37 remaining in the third period.
“We got some pressure on him (Randles). It wasn’t a terrible throw,” Kingsbury said, “Wyatt made a great play on it. He did a great job of knowing where he was and getting it into the end zone.”
Reed then threw to Trost for the two-point conversion to make it an 8-0 game.
Abilene would run 13 plays and march deep into Concordia territory on the ensuing drive.
The Cowboys had a fourth down and five from the Panther 21-yard line when James Mayden was limited to a 3-yard game.
Concordia would go three and out and punt the ball away.
Abilene took over on its own 35-yard line, but was backed up 15 yards on a personal foul call on first down.
Randles then raced 80 yards on an option play and scored with 6:10 to play in the game.
“We really just had a breakdown,” Kingsbury said, “It was kind of frustrating to break down after we had played so well defensively.”
Abilene attempted the two-point conversion, but  Randles’ pass was batted down by Kyle Palmquist.
“Kyle Palmquist was able to find the ball and made a nice play to knock it down,” Kingsbury said.
Concordia took over on its own 42-yard line with just over six minutes to play in the game, and put together a game clinching drive.
Schroeder, who finished with 78 yards on 27 carries, carried four straight times for 34 yards.
On a fourth-down and six play, Reed completed a 14-yard pass to Trost for a first down on the Abilene 9-yard line.
Carrying the ball four straight times, Schroeder would score on a 1-yard run on fourth down to give Concordia a 14-6 cushion.
Reed threw to Ivon Owen for the two-point conversion, but it was wiped out by a penalty.
The Panthers were backed up to the 8-yard line, and Reed’s pass was incomplete.
Abilene got the ball on its own 43-line with 30 seconds remaining.
Randles would complete a long pass to Mayden setting up a first down on the Concordia 27.
A pass by Randles was deflected and intercepted by Reed, and the Panthers were able to run out the clock.
“I think the guys were excited about the win, but they understand our best football is in front of us,” Kingsbury said.”
Concordia finished the game with 214 yards of total offense to 254 yards for Abilene.
Reed completed 7 of 15 passes for 119 yards with two interceptions.
Trost had three catches for 72 yards.
Each team had scoring opportunities in the first half, but couldn’t cash in.
A 57-yard pass from Reed to Trost gave Concordia a first and goal at the Abilene 7-yard line late in the second quarter.
Three plays netted no yards, and Reed threw an incomplete pass.
Concordia punted on its first possession of the second half.
There were turnovers on the next three offensive possessions.
Randles turned it over on a fumble, Reed had a pass intercepted and then Trost came up with an interception and return for touchdown that sparked the Panthers to the win.
“I can’t say enough about the job coach (Ken) Meyer (defensive coordinator) did and the way the kids executed the game plan,” Kingsbury said.
Concordia travels to Marysville for a league game on Friday night.
It will be the final tuneup for the Panthers before they open Class 3A District 7 play by hosting Russell on September 21.