CCS falls to undefeated Mitchell, needs wins to reach C2 playoffs

    With a berth in the Class C2 playoffs within their grasp, the Chase County football team will need wins in its next two games to earn a playoff berth after a 0-30 loss Friday to Mitchell, second in the point standings.
    The game got off on the right foot for Chase County thanks to a Tristan Jablonski interception on the game’s first play from scrimmage.
    The Longhorns kept Mitchell out of the end zone for nearly all the first quarter, but gave up a late touchdown that capped a clock-eating drive. The two-point conversion failed leaving CCS trailing 0-6.
    The second quarter was much the same, with Mitchell’s only points coming on a 34-yard field goal with a second left in the half.
    CCS Head Coach Nathan Gaswick said the game was a tale of two halves.
    “I believe our guys played extremely well in the first half and did a great job of minimizing mistakes and not giving Mitchell short fields,” Gaswick said, but added the Longhorns struggled with turnovers and penalties in the second half.
    Chase County got the ball to start the second half and fumbled on the first play. Gaswick said it was a huge swing in momentum.
    The Longhorns also turned the ball over on its next possession.
    Both turnovers set Mitchell up with a short field, and the Tigers capitalized with two touchdowns.
    Gaswick said he thought Mitchell’s size and Chase County’s lack of subs up front eventually wore CCS down later in the game.
    Gaswick expects big things to come from the Tigers, including the top seed in the playoffs.
    “I told our guys after the game was done that this would be the physically largest team in C2 this year and it was great to be able to experience that. We created a lot of issues for them and found a lot of success defensively early in the game,” Gaswick said.
    The Longhorns will need to continue developing depth up front and work to find ways to get their bigger guys breaks,’ he added.
Up next
    For the second game in a row, CCS will be on the road Friday. The Longhorns will head to Wood River (5-2) and its spread attack. Chase County will be looking for its first road win of the season.
    Gaswick said Wood River possesses good skill position players and a very talented quarterback.
    Wood River senior, Caleb Pault leads Class C2 in receiving yards and yards per game.
    CCS, 17th in points, will