Junior Luke Brandt (left) and sophomore Clayton Tieman put heat on Wentworth’s backfield during the Chiefs’ 24-0 District 13 victory. (Chris Allen/Democrat-News) [Click to enlarge]

LEXINGTON â€" Wentworth Military Academy had little more than heart to bring to battle Saturday during its Class 1, District 13 opener against Santa Fe.

With six starters out of action, including speedy senior halfback Chris Doak, the Red Dragons were unable to generate much offense during a 24-0 home loss. The Chiefs, who have some injury issues of their own, didn’t exactly roll over Wentworth â€" limited to 217 total yards â€" but wore out their hosts after taking only a 7-0 lead into halftime.

Even that was the result of a big special teams play. Santa Fe had driven the ball 42 yards before fumbling on the 10th play of their game-opening drive.

When the Dragons were unable to get out of the hole, they punted â€" with senior Billy Balcom knocking down the boot.

The Chiefs took over at the Wentworth 10-yard line. An 8-yard pass by senior Kenzie Thorp to junior Darin Buford set up Thorp’s 2-yard sneak across the goal line.

Santa Fe had a chance to score late in the half with Thorp recovered a Dragon fumble at their 29, but a sack and three incomplete passes kept the score close.

June Luke Brandt corralled a loose ball at the Wentworth 38 early in the third period. A 13-yard catch by Buford and a 10-yard run by freshman Ross Tieman to the 2 set up Tieman’s scoring dive on the next play.

All four of the Dragons’ full possessions after the break ended with turnovers, a Tieman interception leading to a 13-play, 64-yard drive which used up over seven minutes and ended with Thorp’s 18-yard scoring strike to Buford.

Thorp tacked on a 23-yard field goal with 1:06 left, after sophomore Hunter Rolf’s second pick-off of the game.

Senior Chad Wilson was a warrior for Wentworth (1-7, 0-1 district), gaining 36 yards on 19 carries and making 12 tackles, despite being banged up in the first half.

Thorp also had an interception and forced a fumble for Santa Fe (4-4, 1-0), which returns home Friday to challenge top-ranked I-70 Conference champion Orrick.

Concordia 13, Sweet Springs 0

CONCORDIA â€" Capitalizing on one big mistake, putting together a long drive and containing Sweet Springs’ potent rushing attack was all it took for eighth-ranked Concordia to open Class 1, District 8 action with a 13-0 I-70 Conference home win.

The Greyhounds’ first drive went awry with a bad shotgun snap for a 19-yard loss to their 1-yard line. So when the Orioles got the ball on a punt, they only had 35 yards to go for the lead â€" getting the final 12 yards on a pass from senior Joey White to senior Seth Smith.

The rest of the half was scoreless, but Concordia began the third period with a nine-play, 94-yard possession which White ended with a 1-yard plunge into the end zone.

White ran for 50 yards and threw for 137 yards to pace the Orioles (7-1, 5-1 I-70, 1-0 district).

Sweet Springs gained only 56 yards on 32 carries as it was shut out for the first time this season. Senior Chris Dickinson passed for 78 yards, but was twice intercepted.

The ‘Hounds (5-3, 3-3, 0-1) will be at home Friday to take on No. 5 Tipton.

Westran 32, Slater 6

HUNTSVILLE â€" Sophomore Wade Wilhite ran for 181 yards and three touchdowns as Westran picked up its first victory of the season Friday, 32-6, over visiting Lewis and Clark Conference and Class 1, District 14 rival Slater.

Wilhite followed a 4-yard TD run midway through the first quarter with a 43-yard dash to downtown less than five minutes later.

The Wildcats cut the margin in half on the first play of the second quarter, senior Aric Falls sprinting 83 yards with a pass from sophomore Cody Skinner. Falls would make four catches on the night for 140 yards, but wouldn’t score again.

That was left to Wilhite, who broke off a 40-yard run to answer before halftime, and the rest of the Hornets (1-7, 1-2 L&C, 1-0 district) â€" who rushed for 279 yards. Freshman quarterback Paden John completed six of 10 passes for 54 yards and a touchdown, a 16-yarder to freshman Tyler Aulbur late in the game.

Skinner and senior Kyle Durham combined for 155 passing yards while making 17 attempts without an interception for Slater (0-8, 0-3, 0-1) â€" which hosts Fayette on Friday.