8-MAN DIV. 1 STATE CHAMPIONSHIP

Central Plains (10-2) vs. Hoxie (12-0)

7 p.m. Saturday, Greensburg

RADIO—98.9 FM (adastraradio.com)

VIDEO—https://www.nfhsnetwork.com/events/kshsaa/gamba69da972d

BY JIM MISUNAS

jmisunas@gbtribune.com

CLAFLIN — The Central Plains Oilers have enjoyed a thrilling roller-coaster ride to Saturday's 8-Man Division 1 state football championship at Greensburg against Hoxie (12-0). 

The 2-time state football champion Oilers (10-2) have rallied to win all four playoff games. 

Quarterback Brodie Crites directed the fourth chapter of the Oilers' comeback story with the game-winning 26-yard touchdown pass to Joel Schreiber against Clifton-Clyde 28-25.

"We worked hard to be there," said Oiler coach J.D. Johnson. "We had to beat good football teams to get there." 

Oiler backs Schreiber and Eli Hurley have sparked a run-oriented Oiler offense keyed by a physical offensive line.

"We'll try and get the run game going and find holes in Hoxie's defense," said Johnson. "Our offensive line has been doing a great job. Hoxie is beatable, but we'll have to play a great football game. We're excited for the players and the community. It's been a fun year."

Hoxie quarterback Duncan Bell has thrown for 1,350 yards and 21 scores. RB Braydon Scheetz has rushed for 896 yards with 28 touchdowns. Bell has gained 554 yards and 12 scores. Tight end Samuel Watkins has eight receiving touchdowns.

"Hoxie has a big, strong football team that plays at a high level," Johnson said. "Hoxie doesn't do a lot of things offensively, but they do them well. Hoxie expected to compete for a state football championship. Hoxie beat two good football teams in Wichita County and South Central to get to the final." 

OILERS (10-2)—Macksville 48-0; Victoria 12-62; La Crosse 56-0; Solomon 52-6; Goessel 50-0; Canton-Galva 46-0; Little River 68-44; Ell-Saline 12-58; Sylvan-Lucas 40-38 (OT); Chase County 58-52; Little River 38-32; Clifton Clyde 28-25

HOXIE (12-0)—Osborne 20-14; Trego 50-0; Ellis 54-8; Stockton 53-0; Oberlin 45-12; Hill City 38-14; St. Francis 46-0; Rawlins County 52-6; La Crosse 52-0; Oxgord 54-0; Wichita County 40-30; South Central 42-28 

OILER OFFENSE—2 RB Eli Hurley; 4 RB Joel Schreiber; 9 TE Paxton Dody; 10 QB Brodie Crites; 21 TE Aiden Hekele; 24 LG Peyton Kempke; 55 RG Logan Stroede; 95 C Landon Daniels

OILER DEFENSE—2 LB Eli Hurley; 4 CB Joel Schreiber; 9 LE Paxton Dody; 12 CB Peyton Dody; 13 S Rylan Siemsen; 21 LB Aiden Hekele; 55 RE Logan Stroede; 95 NG Landon Daniels

HOXIE OFFENSE—6 RB Braydon Scheetz; 11 QB Duncan Bell; 32 C Max Beckman; 44 RB Easton Nickelson; 55 TE Trent Fenner; 66 RG Javon Kachel; 88 TE Samuel Watkins

HOXIE DEFENSE—5 S Braxton Munk; 6 CB Braydon Scheetz; 11 CB Duncan Bell; 42 MLB Matt Bretz; 44 MLB Easton Nickelson; 55 RE Trent Fenner; 62 NG Alex Butkin; 88 LE Samuel Watkins