By GARRETT WELLBROCK
Hays Post Sports
HILL CITY - Hill City continued its dominant postseason run Friday night, overpowering Oxford 50-0 in the regional round of the 8-Man Division I playoffs to advance to the quarterfinals. The Ringnecks (9-1) earned their eighth straight win and will now face unbeaten Trego (10-0) in a Week 1 rematch next Friday.
From the opening whistle, Hill City left no doubt. After forcing a quick three-and-out, the Ringnecks struck on their first touch of the ball — a 70-yard punt return set them up at the Oxford five, and senior Tyler Ashbaugh scored one play later for an early 8-0 lead. Hill City’s defense suffocated Oxford all night, holding the Wildcats to just 62 total yards and forcing three turnovers.
Quarterback Tate Balthazor extended the lead on the next drive, capping a 57-yard series with a keeper to make it 14-0 midway through the first quarter. Oxford’s best chance came after that, reaching the Hill City eight before turning it over on downs.
That was as close as Oxford (7-2) would get. Hill City erupted for 30 points in the second quarter alone, including a trick-play touchdown when Ashbaugh threw a 31-yard pass to Balthazor. Balthazor later connected twice with Jaxson Smith — both 27-yard touchdown strikes — and Ryan Budig added a one-yard score before halftime to make it 44-0.
Ashbaugh sealed the mercy-rule win early in the third with his second rushing touchdown, a 16-yard run that ended the contest at 9:25 in the quarter.
Balthazor finished with 117 passing yards, two touchdown throws, one rushing score, and even a touchdown reception on the trick play. Smith caught five passes for 117 yards and two scores, while Ashbaugh totaled three touchdowns and a fumble recovery.
Hill City’s defense held Oxford star runner Logan Gaither to just 18 yards after he rushed for 272 in last week’s win. Oxford quarterback Chase Douglas completed six passes for 54 yards and an interception.
The Ringnecks compiled 311 total yards and went 5-for-6 in the red zone, continuing a streak of scoring 46 or more points in nine straight games.
With the victory, Hill City moves within one win of returning to the state semifinals for the first time since 2022. Next week’s matchup against Trego — the team that handed them their only loss, 30-20, in the season opener — now looms as one of the state’s most anticipated rematches.