By GARRETT WELLBROCK
Hays Post Sports
HOXIE â After watching a 20-point lead nearly evaporate, Hoxie steadied itself in the fourth quarter and pulled away for a 46-32 win over Ellis on homecoming night Friday, earning its first victory of the season.
The defending 8-Man Division I state champions, rebuilding with just two returning starters, improved to 1-2. Ellis, which celebrated its first winning season in nearly a decade last fall, dropped to 0-3.
Hoxie quarterback Chase Meyer opened the game with a 6-yard touchdown run, then later connected with Griffin Zerr on a 47-yard strike to help the Indians build a 20-0 lead. Meyer finished 5 of 5 passing for 128 yards and two scores while also rushing for 126 yards and two more touchdowns.
Ellis struggled early, turning it over on downs three straight times in the first quarter. Quarterback Trent Schartz eventually found a rhythm, completing 6 of 6 passes on a second-quarter drive capped by a 5-yard touchdown to Baylor Born. Schartz later added scoring tosses to Ben Byers and Aiden Aschenbrenner while rushing for another, accounting for four total touchdowns and 346 yards.
Momentum swung after halftime when Ellisâ Carson Schartz returned the kickoff 70 yards for a touchdown, cutting the deficit to 28-20. The Railroaders pulled within two points twice in the third quarter, the last on Schartzâs 8-yard strike to Aschenbrenner that made it 34-32.
But Hoxieâs defense delivered in the final quarter. Freshman defensive back Gage Epp picked off a pass in the red zone, Caden Beckman intercepted a tipped screen with under two minutes left, and senior leader Mat Bretz sealed the win with a one-handed interception on Ellisâ final drive. Bretz also ran for 100 yards and two touchdowns.
Zerr finished with three catches for 120 yards and two scores for Hoxie, while sophomore back Noah Nickelson added 65 yards and a touchdown.
Ellis had three possessions in the fourth quarter to tie or take the lead, but two interceptions and a turnover on downs ended those chances.
Hoxie outscored Ellis 12-0 in the fourth to secure the win.
Next week, the Indians travel to Stockton while the Railroaders return home to face LaCrosse.