Big plays often grab the headlines under Friday night lights, but football games are won in the trenches.
Riding behind a physical and remarkably young offensive line, the Flinthills Mustangs powered past the Sedan Blue Devils 52-6 on Friday night. The road victory improves the Mustangs’ record and sets up a massive District 1 showdown next week.
Young Trench Unit Sets the Standard
While senior playmakers put on an aerial and ground display, the engine running the Mustangs’ high-scoring machine was up front.
Flinthills relied on an underclassman-heavy offensive line featuring junior Coltin Dragoo alongside sophomores Dane Edwards, Lane Jenkins, and Jake Scribner, paired with junior tight end Deken Girty. Despite their youth, the front five controlled the line of scrimmage from the opening snap, opening massive lanes and creating consistent push.
Their performance on Friday is part of a dominant pattern this fall. Through the first four weeks of the season, the Mustangs’ offensive line has paved the way for:
- 1,211 total rushing yards on 116 carries
- An eye-popping 10.5 yards per carry
- An average of 303 rushing yards per game
- 21 rushing touchdowns
The coaching staff asked for immediate maturity from this young group early in the year, and the unit has repeatedly met that challenge, establishing one of the most productive rushing attacks in southeast Kansas.
Hall and Carney Explode on Offense
Running behind that line, senior standout Beau Hall continued an incredible stretch of scoring. Just one week removed from a seven-touchdown performance against Burden-Central, Hall found the end zone six more times against the Blue Devils.
Hall carried the ball 16 times for 241 rushing yards (15.1 yards per carry) and four scores, while hauling in two receptions for 91 yards and two additional touchdowns. He finished the night with 332 yards of total offense on just 18 touches.
The Mustangs also welcomed back starting senior quarterback Tripp Carney, who delivered his sharpest outing of the season. Carney gave the offense balance through the air, completing 3 of 7 passes for 94 yards and two touchdowns. He also hurt Sedan on the ground, churning out 105 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 14 carries to put Flinthills in control early.
Defensive Muscle Shuts Down the Blue Devils
Flinthills’ defense proved just as relentless as its offense, limiting Sedan to a single touchdown in the second quarter and blanking the hosts through the second half.
Senior defensive end Kolter Flores spearheaded the effort with 11 total tackles (seven solo) and two tackles for loss. Flores lived in the Sedan backfield all night, racking up two sacks for an 18-yard loss and setting the tone on special teams.
Carney matched his offensive production on the defensive side, racking up nine tackles—including two critical stops on third and fourth down that snuffed out promising Sedan drives. Hall added eight tackles and picked off a pass, while Dragoo (seven tackles, one sack) and Girty (seven tackles, two tackles for loss) carried their two-way dominance over to the defensive front.
District Title on the Line Next Week
With the victory in the books, the Mustangs turn their sights toward their biggest test of the season.
Flinthills will host Marmaton Valley next Friday for homecoming. Both teams enter the matchup tied atop 8-Man Division II, District 1, making this late-season duel the likely deciding factor for the district championship. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 PM.
