Wellington’s John Michael Holcomb tries to get the edge in the fourth quarter of a Class 2A Division II regional semifinal game on Leo Brittain Field at Lions Stadium in Vernon on Friday night. [Mark Lytle/ For Press Pass Sports]
A fierce ground game was the difference for Wellington during a convincing 44-14 Class 2A Region II Division II win against Windthorst on a foggy Friday night on Leo Brittain Field at Lions Stadium in Vernon.
The Skyrockets ran it right at the Trojans, totaling 363 of their 372 yards on the ground in the victory.
Wellington sophomore Marc Ramirez led the way. Ramirez scored two first half touchdowns, adding another score in the fourth quarter to total three scores with 117 yard rushing. Mason Folk and Jaden Combs complimented Ramirez’s effort, each running for 87 yards on 12 carries.
“We wanted to be physical on offense,” Wellington head coach Greg Proffitt said. “Our strength is running the ball behind our tough offensive line. I feel we wore them down in the second half, and I’m proud of our guys.”
The Skyrockets defense held the Trojans in check, holding Windthorst to 167 total yards.
Wellington improves to 12-1 on the year and will get a rematch with Hamlin (11-2) at 7 p.m. Friday back in Vernon in a state quarterfinal. The Pied Pipers stunned a heavily favored Skyrockets team almost a year to the date, in a 21-18 upset in the regional semifinal on Nov. 30, 2018.
Hamlin knocked out Wellington’s district rival Wheeler 56-22 in Childress to advance to the quarterfinals.
Hamlin scored 35 unanswered to beat the Mustangs for the second time this season.
Wheeler (10-3) running back Hesston Marshall did run for 109 yards despite the loss. Marshall ends his season with an eye-popping 2,523 yards.
Wellington 44, Windthorst 14
Windthorst 8 6 — 14
Wellington 8 12 24 — 44
First quarter
Wel— Creighton Killian 1 run (John Michael Holcomb run).
Second quarter
Wel— Marc Ramirez 3 run (conversion failed)
Wel— Ramirez 15 run (conversion failed)
Win— Awtry Blagg 11 run (conversion good)
Fourth quarter
Wel— Creed Riley 6 run (Holcomb run)
Win— Bryson Jackson 75 pass from Belcher (conversion failed)
Wel— Ramirez 4 run (Ramirez run)
Wel— Killian 1 run (Holcomb pass from Killian)
Windthorst Wellington
First downs 10 22
Rushing Yards 44 363
Passing Yards 167 9
Total Yards 171 372
C-A-I 13-27-1 1-2-0
Fumbles-Lost 0-0 0-0
Punts-Avg. 4-31.3 2-45.5
Pen-Yds. 4-20 5-40
Individual stats
Rushing— Windthorst: Ethan Belcher 2-21: Cy Belcher 10-12; Blagg 1–11. Wellington: Marc Ramirez 13-117; Jaden Combs 12-87; Mason Folk 12-87; Holcomb 10-46.
Passing—Windthorst: C. Belcher 13-27-167. Wellington: Killian 1-2-0-9.
Receiving— Windthorst: Jackson 5-96; E. Belcher 3-46. Wellington: Holcomb 1-9.