BY GARRETT WELLBROCK
Hays Post Sports
STOCKTON - Hill City left no doubt Friday night, rolling past Stockton 78-0 in a game that ended at halftime by the 45-point mercy rule. The Ringnecks scored on every possession but one and forced six interceptions — including two returned for touchdowns — to move to 6-1 on the season and set up a district championship showdown next week with Decatur Community.
Stockton (0-7) opened the game with a promising start, getting to their own 25 before turning the ball over on downs. From there, the Ringnecks took control. Tyler Ashbaugh capped Hill City’s first drive with a 6-yard touchdown run to make it 8-0, and the floodgates opened.
Shawn Morris — on his first carry of the season — broke loose for a 21-yard score to double the lead. Tate Balthazor followed with a 12-yard touchdown run, and Slade Rohr added a 19-yard scamper to make it 30-0 late in the first quarter. Rohr then picked off a pass and returned it 25 yards for a pick-six, closing out a dominant opening frame with Hill City ahead 38-0.
The second quarter brought more of the same. A high snap on a Stockton punt led to a fumble recovery in the end zone by Koby Keiswetter, extending the margin to 44-0. Moments later, Ashbaugh grabbed an interception and Balthazor hit Rohr on a 37-yard touchdown pass to make it 52-0.
Stockton’s offense continued to struggle under constant pressure. Quarterback Titus Ferguson threw four straight interceptions to end the half, with Balthazor snagging two and Ryan Budig and Rohr each taking one to the house. Budig added a pair of rushing touchdowns — including a 43-yarder — while Chase Bell and Ashbaugh both found the end zone on the ground as Hill City piled up 309 rushing yards and 46 passing yards.
Balthazor led a balanced Ringneck attack, finishing 2 of 5 for 46 yards and a touchdown through the air, adding 48 rushing yards and three interceptions on defense. Budig ran for 119 yards and two touchdowns while adding a pick-six, and Rohr totaled 45 rushing yards, 37 receiving yards, and two total scores.
Stockton’s Ashton Nuss provided the lone bright spot, catching three passes for 52 yards, including an 18-yard conversion on fourth down. But Hill City’s defense smothered the Tigers, holding them to just seven rushing yards and forcing turnovers on nearly every second-quarter possession.
Hill City will host unbeaten Decatur Community next Friday for the 8-Man Division I District 8 title. Stockton travels to St. Francis looking to snap a 44-game losing streak that dates back to 2020.