Amy Bryner | Courtesy Photo
Garrett Hanna returns a punt untouched to end zone against Banner County. WP defensive and special teams also scored on an interception return, fumble return, blocked punt and kickoff return in the game.
WP runs wild over Banner County
The Wauneta-Palisade football team evened its record to 2-2 with a huge 77-0 win over Banner County Friday.
WP Co-Head Coach Joseph Frecks said the Broncos’ focus all week was to improve themselves and coaches were very proud of how the team came out and played Friday night.
“Banner County kids are a tough bunch and they never quit,” he added. The Wildcats have eight players out for football.
The Broncos found a variety of ways to score in the game. In one eight-second span, WP scored on a 17-yard run by Aidan Kennicutt, 14-yard interception return by Jacksen Littrel and a 26-yard fumble return by Hunter Miner. A minute later Garrett Hanna returned a punt 62-yards for a touchdown with 1:26 left in the first quarter, plenty of time for Wyatt Muths to return a blocked punt for a touchdown.
Leading 45-0 at the end of the first quarter, Kyle Jutten increased the halftime advantage to 53-0 with a 24-yard run in the second quarter.
Kennicutt scored two touchdown runs in the first half and added two points in the third quarter with a safety. As younger players came into the game, Gabe McCrumb added a second safety in the quarter.
Freshman Ashton Wheeler scored on a kickoff return and a 16-yard run in the second half.
“As kids came off the sideline and into the game for the first time our intensity and level of focus never dropped,” Frecks said, adding it has been great for WP’s young guys to get some in-game experience the past couple of weeks.
“That will be great for us this year and the future of our program,” Frecks said.
The Broncos’ defense scored three touchdowns while holding Banner County to -52 yards of offense in the game.
Jutten led WP with 119 yards rushing.
WP racked up 212 yards on the ground and completed 8-11 passes for 83 yards.
Up next
Southwest will be WP’s first district opponent of the season. The Broncos will travel to Bartley Friday for a 6 p.m. MT kickoff against the banged up Roughriders. “They have battled some injuries and sickness earlier in the year, but should be closer to full strength this Friday,” Frecks said.
“We will need to continue to improve this week on our tackling and blocking to be successful in district play,” Frecks said.