Prep Grid Round-up ... Week 7: 'Hounds suffer costly loss to Wellington

WELLINGTON -- For most of the first half Friday, the Sweet Springs football team found itself in a battle at No. 8 Wellington-Napoleon.

However, the Tigers exploded for three touchdowns during the final 4:13 of the second quarter and cruised to a 54-20 I-70 Conference victory. In the process, the Greyhounds not only lost their chance for a third straight 4-3 record in league play, but all-state senior Zach Thomas to an ankle injury.

Senior Cody Banner ran for touchdowns of 28 and 8 yards to give Wellington a 14-0 lead, but Sweet Springs made it close when senior Billy Martin hit junior David Hall for a 61-yard TD pass.

The Tigers answered in the air, senior Caleb Kropp throwing for three scores -- for 26 and 29 yards to junior Blake Seitz and 20 yards to junior Dylon Register -- for a 34-6 lead at the break.

Seitz had a 7-yard touchdown run to cap Wellington's opening drive of the second half and freshman Christian Bryant went in from 9 yards out midway through the final frame before the 'Hounds got a pair of touchdown runs, for 6 and 18 yards, from senior Tyler Dohrman.

Kropp completed 15 of 23 passes for 278 yards to lead the Tigers (6-1, 3-1 I-70).

Sweet Springs (3-4, 3-4) are done with I-70 play and will open the Class 1, District 8 campaign Friday and Northwest of Hughesville.

Crest Ridge 36, Santa Fe 16

CENTERVIEW -- Crest Ridge went on a 22-0 third-quarter roll Friday for a 36-22 I-70 Conference victory over visiting Santa Fe.

The Cougars ended an 11-game losing streak, including eight straight in league play.

The Chiefs went into halftime with an 8-6 lead, but were plagued by turnovers through the contest -- twice fumbling inside the "red zone" and muffing a pair of punt returns.

Senior Matt Scherer threw for three Crest Ridge touchdowns and senior Kyle Schull returned an interception 35 yards for a score. Junior Matt Kemple ran for 137 to pace the Cougars (1-6, 1-6 I-70).

Santa Fe got 143 passing yards from junior Ross Tieman, who threw for two touchdowns and ran for another. Junior Corey Fitzwater had 23 tackles, two for losses.

The Chiefs (2-5, 1-3) begin Class 1, District 10 action Friday at Wellington-Napoleon.

Braymer 38, Slater 0

BRAYMER -- Braymer rushed for 287 yards, while holding Slater to a net of minus-13, Friday during a 38-0 non-conference home win.

Despite their problems moving the ball, the Wildcats' defense held firm until late in the first half, when it yielded a pair of big plays. Senior Dylan Adkison caught a 30-yard touchdown pass from senior John Haley and senior Trent Utt went on a 50-yard scoring sprint to give the Bobcats a 14-0 halftime lead.

Braymer (4-3) got 6-yard TD runs from juniors Trevor Corbin and Reid Brooke during the third period, with Brooke tacking on a 4-yard touchdown run on the first play of the fourth quarter.

The longest gain for Slater was senior Cody Skinner's 28-yard pass to junior Travis Holt.

The 'Cats (2-5) return to Lewis and Clark Conference action Friday at No. 10 Westran, the start of the Class 1, District 9 campaign.