Longhorns’ season ends with playoff loss at Ord

    After a three year playoff absence, the Chase County football team returned to the postseason. As the 15th seed, CCS traveled to Ord where it lost to the second seeded Chanticleer last Friday.
    As Chase County’s offense struggled to build momentum,  the Longhorns’ defense bent, but didn’t break in the first quarter.
    CCS Head Coach Nathan Gaswick said he was very proud of his young team and the effort they gave.
    “We definitely struggled to get anything going offensively but created a lot of issues for them defensively,” he said.
    Ord drove to the CCS four and 24-yard lines on its first two drives of the game where the Longhorns held both times on fourth and four. With the end of the first quarter approaching, Chase County stopped Ord on fourth and one.
    After a scoreless first quarter, Ord punted to the Longhorns on the first play of the second quarter. CCS was forced to punt for the fourth time in the game and Ord was finally able to take advantage. Chase County gave up a seven-play touchdown drive to the Chanticleers.
    The Longhorns gave up another touchdown in the second quarter, but it was Ord’s third touchdown of the quarter that was a back breaker for CCS.
    “One of the biggest swings in momentum came towards the end of the first half when we had them backed up with a third and 25 and they run a slow screen that breaks and goes 69 yards for a touchdown,” Gaswick said.
    “That one hurt as we thought if we could get the ball back with good field position and put a drive together it could have still been a one possession ball game at the half,” he added.
    Chase County’s offense couldn’t find any rhythm in the second half, turning the ball over on its first two drives. CCS gave up one touchdown following an interception, but forced a punt after the second.
    Ord scored late in the third quarter and early in the fourth quarter to wrap up scoring in the 0-40 CCS loss.
    “I felt the final score was not indicative of the performance we gave as it was a very tight game early. We would have big defensive stands but there were a handful of plays in the first half that broke and when they broke, they broke big,” Gaswick said.
    Chase County was held to 28 rushing yards in the game.
    Gaswick said the Chanticleers were as good as advertised and possessed size, speed, and experience.
    “Overall, Ord is a very good football team and I was happy that our young group was able to experience playoff football. We have continued to progress over the last three seasons and our players now know exactly what they will be working towards throughout the rest of this year and next,” Gaswick said.
    Teams from the Longhorns’ schedule struggled as well. Sixteenth seeded Valentine lost 16-29 to top seeded Hastings St. Cecilia. Gordon-Rushville, the eighth seed, lost to Battle Creek, the ninth seed, 14-42. Fifth seeded Mitchell lost to #12 Cedar Catholic 14-44.