Inman allows first points, still rolls past Plainville

Everett

PLAINVILLE, Kansas (Catch it Kansas) – In Week 1, Inman coach Lance Sawyer set himself a lofty goal for his seasoned squad in the first four games – don’t let anyone hit. The Teutons opened with Hutchinson Trinity, Ellinwood, Sacred Heart and Oakley, the defending runner-up in class 1A.

While Ellinwood and Sacred Heart struggled significantly, Trinity Catholic and Oakley finished a combined 18-5 in 2020. Inman had lost seven straight to Trinity and had not ruled out the Celtics for at least 25 years. Oakley defeated Inman in the state’s 1A semi-finals last fall.

However, Inman hit the target and outperformed the teams with 246-0. You are the only Kansas squad to open with four consecutive shutouts. After every shutout, Sawyer would give his team ice cream on Mondays.

On Friday, Inman delivered a complete performance in a 48: 3 away win against the Mid-Continent League power Plainville. Sawyer offered superlatives in the entire squad, from senior quarterback Jace Doerksen, the wide receivers, the line play and the defensive staff. Plainville has flashed a lot and Inman has yet to approve a layoff in 2021.

Inman defeated Plainville on Friday, October 1st, 2021 in Plainville 48: 3. (© Everett Royer, KSportsImages.com)
(Everett J. Royer)

Individual players also stood out, including junior wide receiver Harrison Brunk, who missed most of the first month due to injury. In Sawyer’s eyes, sophomore Dawson McConnell, a player with limited college experience, had the best game of his career. Senior lineman Dawson Mannebach was involved in five tackles for the loss, including a pair of sacks.

“I was impressed with how we played,” said Sawyer. “I thought we played really physically, (Plainville) is a physical team and I was impressed with our defense, how well we flew around and hit. Our linebackers filled up very well and our D-Line played pretty well. “

Inman, ranked 3rd in Class 1A, improved to 5-0, 4-0 in District 3. Plainville, ranked 7th in 1A, fell to 3-2, 2-1 in the district. Sawyer said he’d probably keep the Monday tradition next week.

“It’s fun as a team,” says Tanner Heckel in his second year. “Open up our mood on Monday and then make us fit for the next week.”

Inman, in search of the first statewide title game in school history, Kansas continues to go every step of the way in goal defense.

“I’ll probably buy them ice cream for it anyway,” Sawyer said. “It was a mindset for these guys. We knew our defense would be quick, but to have five games without a touchdown now is pretty solid. “

Inman defeated Plainville on Friday, October 1st, 2021 in Plainville 48: 3. (© Everett Royer, KSportsImages.com)

Doerksen, a four year old starter and on the shortlist for top quarterback from 1A, delivered an excellent game with 11 of 17 passes for 179 yards and two scores.

“We got our passing game going a little,” said Sawyer. “We didn’t have to pass a lot in the first four games. We got this going. I was pretty impressed with how Jace threw the ball. “

Inman’s trio of senior Kendyn Blank, Brunk and Heckel often won 1-on-1 matches with experienced cardinal defenders. Last year, Doerksen set the school record for a single season with 1,550 places.

“You can fly anywhere and go sideline to sideline whenever you want, and it’s pretty fun,” said Heckel. “It’s really nice because it makes us offensive in both directions. We can run the ball whenever we want and we can pass it. “

Inman opened the game with a 10-play, 80-yard drive that resulted in a 4-yard TD pass from Doerksen to Brunk on a fast incline. Brunk was mated 1-on-1.

“I don’t think we would change that,” said cardinal coach Grant Stephenson of Plainville’s game plan. “Your quarterback put the ball on the money several times, but the way we built up and practiced, I felt very good. But of course we still have a lot to do. “

After a Plainville punt, both teams exchanged lost fumbles. Brunk then caught a 15-yard TD pass, clearly defended. Brunk finished with four catches for 46 yards. He suffered an injury in the second quarter of the first week and returned for about half last week. Friday marked his first full game.

Inman defeated Plainville on Friday, October 1st, 2021 in Plainville 48: 3. (© Everett Royer, KSportsImages.com)
(Everett J. Royer)

Inman built the lead to 18-0 on a 55-yard TD run from Blank, a dynamic player that ended with 141 yards overall offense. Stephenson was most impressed with Inman’s speed.

“Our receivers are up and have balls,” Sawyer said. “Jace put it on the money. Jace had a few throws that were perfect. These guys were well covered. Jace put it exactly where it needed to be. “

The Cardinals lost 4-1 to Thomas More Prep-Marian and Inman. In both games, Plainville had significant problems with losing balls and penalties.

According to the Kansas Football History database, it was the worst regular season loss since Stephenson took office in 2015. Stephenson said in “some games” the Cardinals “played really well.”

On Friday, Plainville, who switched to option behind his seasoned back and line this fall, received 29 carries for 127 yards from Junior Kyle Werner. Stephenson said, however, that Plainville in 3rd and 4th and Short failed to convert, had penalties and “bad situations”. Stephenson believes the Cardinals have talent but said the team chemistry “isn’t there yet”.

Inman defeated Plainville on Friday, October 1st, 2021 in Plainville 48: 3. (© Everett Royer, KSportsImages.com)
(Everett J. Royer)

Plainville’s only points came late in the first half after the Cardinals rebounded from a mishandled punt on the Inman 16-yard line.

The Cardinals scored 3 minutes and 31 seconds in the first half after a 12-yard touchdown run by Werner, although the game was abandoned because of a penalty. Plainville didn’t run in third place, and sophomore Braxton Bittel scored a 32-yard field goal 2:22 in the second quarter to reduce Inman’s lead to 18-3.

“I think I can draw the Xs and Os in the right place, but being able to get my players all on the same page and play together is the hard part,” said Stephenson.

After the field goal, Inman went 69 yards in less than two minutes. This included 18 and 34 yard catches from Brunk and Blank as they won 1v1 matches. Blank achieved a 24-3 half-time advantage from seven meters with four-and-one.

“We were just able to recover from that,” said Brunk. “And keep the high energy and keep putting it on. And our defense was strong after that field goal and didn’t give up the whole game, so I think that really stood out how we came back. “

Inman had a strong blockade from Brunk, along with his experienced offensive line with the seniors Mannebach, Christian Winsky and Grant Thimmesch. McConnell also enjoyed great competition.

“Dawson McConnell is quick,” Sawyer said. “Fast and strong. Last year he hardly played JV. I mean, he’s a man-made guy. He played fantastic tonight and that was the best game he ever played. He does so many things in advance. “

In the third quarter, Senior Kyler Konrade received a large block when Mannebach turned left and sealed his husband. Konrade raced 80 yards for a touchdown and a 32-3 lead. In the fourth, Heckel crossed races of 11 and 70 yards.

Plainville had its last chance to score when it took over with eight minutes to go. Werner delivered a 30 yard run. The Cardinals eventually faced 4th and 1th from the Inman 19-yard line. The Cardinals ran to the left and Thimmesch made the fourth downstop.

“We kept them out of the end zone,” said Heckel. “That was a big deal. We hit really hard. Came up and did tackles when we needed it. Big stops in fourth place in the red zone and everything. It was just a good game. “