Humboldt rolls in 3A playoff opener, 39-0
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HUMBOLDT -- The third-ranked Humboldt football tem relied on what pushed them to this point in the season here Friday night.
Behind a power running attack and a hard-hitting defense, the Wildcats knocked off long-time North Central Conference rival Hampton-Dumont/CAL in Class 3A playoff action, 39-0.
Humboldt (9-1 overall) advances to face Independence (10-1) in the quarterfinals on its home field. Independence, which the Wildcats topped last year in the quarters, edged Benton last night, 20-17.
Lance Coon ran for 166 yards and three touchdowns on just 18 carries, while Will Orness was 6 of 8 passing for 101 yards and ran for 76 more yards. Orness had one passing TD and ran two more.
"The run game really got going, which helped open an efficient night throwing the ball, too," Humboldt head coach Derrick Elman said. "We felt we could have the ability to run downhill, and our kids did a great job staying on blocks.
Orness, a senior, got the Wildcats on the board late in the first on an eight-yard run, while Coon made it 13-0 in the second when he scored from two yards out. A second Orness TD midway through the second made it a 20-0 lead, while Coon punched in his second score later in the quarter.
As the half came to a close, Orness hit Trever Beach to push the advantage to 33-0. Coon's third score came early in the third from 14 yards out. Beach hit three extra-point attempts.
Beach caught three passes for 46 yards, Corey Dettmann had two for 40 and Kyle Caquelin caught a 15-yard pass. Dettmann also ran for 29 yards.
Hampton-Dumont/CAL (6-4) was limited to just 103 yards of total offense, averaging only two yards per carry. They also had three turnovers and just six first downs.
Ty Gargano led the Humboldt defense with nine tackles and a sack, while Carrson Bothne had 4.5 tackles and Gaige Allen 3.5.
"Really proud of the effort our kids gave," Elman said. "Our defense had another great night and played very physical.
"Just really proud of the way our kids have played all year long. When you put in the time they've put in, it shows, and makes it all worth it."