By LIONEL TIPTON
LEON, Kansas – It didn’t come easily, but Bluestem football is boldly going where few Lions teams have gone before.
The Lions poked their heads above the .500 mark Friday night against a school that had won 12 of 13 previous meetings.
Bluestem got out of the gates quickly Friday night against Fredonia, scoring its first points on the Yellowjackets since 2019.
But you just knew it wouldn’t be that easy, not for Bluestem.
At the end of the first half with the Lions holding a 22-12 lead, lightning in the vicinity halted the game for more than an hour. After a heavy but brief downpour, the game resumed at 9:45 p.m.
“They started to get a little unfocused (during the delay),” fourth-year Lions coach Ethan Baker said. “But we just had to reel them in and say, ‘We’re going to win, go out a little later,’ and that just kept them moving and moving.”
The fast start really boosted his players’ confidence, Baker said.
“The realized (that) we wanted to come out and punch them in the mouth and make them quick,” he said. “I think the momentum will continue (to next week). We want to stay locked in and get the first win in our district.
“I think we’ve just been motivated this week. I know it has been chippy in the past, but we told them to keep a straight head on, and if you do the right things, we’re a good team (and) we’re going to win.”
It was a big night for Bluestem, Baker said.
“I’m just so proud of our guys,” he said. “In Bluestem history, this would be us on the other side of this. We’re finally getting to the point where we can go out there and confidently beat some people.
“It’s a good step in the right direction, and we’re going to want to build on this.”
Beating a foe where any success has been rare brought both relief and excitement to the Lions.
“It feels awesome,” junior running back Axton Vice said after rushing 16 times for 135 yards and a touchdown. “We worked hard all week in practice; we focused on after mistakes keeping each other’s heads up … it’s just a long ways.
“We didn’t play (our) best last week (in a loss to Neodesha), but we came out ready to win. We came out strong and respected them (Fredonia). We weren’t cocky or anything like that.”
A 21-0 loss to Fredonia last year brought about some changes, Vice said.
“We didn’t block (our) best last year,” he said. “We focused, watched a lot of film on (Fredonia) and making sure we were at least blocking somebody.”
Baker said it was nice to end Fredonia’s streak against the Lions.
“We’ve been working hard,” he said. “I know last week (against Neodesha) it didn’t go how we wanted, but we were locked in during practice this week and were determined to get that second win.”
Just three minutes into the game, Bluestem had a 14-0 lead on a Vice interception and 35-yard return that led to his 4-yard scoring run and Ayson Shepherd’s 56-yard punt return for a touchdown.
Fredonia (0-3) then got on the scoreboard, going 53 yards in eight plays, highlighted by a 34-yard pass from Brayden O’Leary to 6-foot-3 receiver Ethan Bryant that set up a 2-yard scoring run by Kayson Farr.
Before the quarter came to a close, Bluestem found the end zone again, striking on a 2-yard run by Logan Squire on a 50-yard, four play drive that benefited from back-to=back encroachment penalties on the Yellowjackets.
Juniors carried the workload for Bluestem, backed by a line of upperclassmen.
Vice finished with 135 yards in 16 carries; Shepherd carried 13 times for 95 yards and the two running scores.
The Lions were run-heavy Friday night, with Shepherd attempting just two passes and completing both for 3 yards. By contrast, Lions ball carriers gained 241 yards on 36 carries.
The winning has reinforced a confidence in the Lions. A change of leagues hasn’t hurt, either. Leaving the brutally tough Central Plains League has paid off for Bluestem. No longer does it have to face powerhouses like Conway Springs, Garden Plain and Cheney as one of the smallest schools in the league. Playing in the CPL often resulted in a number of winless seasons.
The Lions believe they can keep the successes coming.
Fredonia was flagged nine times in the game, and six of those were for encroachment. Those mistakes – lining up offside – didn’t do the Yellowjackets any favors and helped to prolong Lions drives.
After the lightning delay, those who remained were treated to a scoring drive that covered 76 yards in 13 plays and was again helped by two more Fredonia encroachment penalties. Shepherd went the final 2 yards.
The Lions opened the fourth quarter with a four-play, 52-yard drive that was keyed by Shepherd’s third touchdown of the night on a 42-yard scamper for a 36-12 lead with 8:35 to play.
Farr’s second touchdown of the night on a 41-yard run struck a blow for the Yellowjackets but did little damage.
To top off the night, senior Hunter Thompson took the ball from Shepherd on a reverse and found nothing but open spaces for 37 yards.
“Open field,” he said. “Nobody around. I’d better get that touchdown.
“It was pretty cool.”
Having players with the athleticism of Vice and Shepherd is making a difference for the Lions, Baker said.
“He’s a trouper,” Baker said of Vice. “Axton is, I would say, one of the best athletes in the school. He’s a state runner-up wrestler, state champ powerlifter, and he’s voted in as a captain for a reason.”
As nice as this victory was for Bluestem, the Lions could easily improve to 3-1 after next Friday’s home game against a winless Central Plains team.
“Yeah, for sure (the Lions can win it),” Vice said. “We were close last year (and) we lost two of our starters during the game (a 14-6 loss).
“We’ll definitely come out ready to play.”
And, there will be some momentum from winning their Homecoming game.
“Tons (of momentum),” Vice said. “It definitely helps being the second time we’ve beaten (Fredonia) in Bluestem history.”
Shepherd said it was good to finally shut down the Yellowjackets.
“It’s been a long time since we’ve won against them,” he said. “I’m really pumped to win against them on Homecoming.”
As for next week, Shepherd said he’s confident.
“We’re going to smoke Central Heights,” he said. “It’s going to be a great game.
After that, they will hit the road and serve as a Homecoming opponent for Eureka, which sits at 2-1 after Friday night’s 14-8 loss to Cherryvale. Among the Tornadoes’ victories was a 44-14 triumph at Fredonia.
Bluestem 42, Fredonia 20
Fredonia 6 6 0 8 – 20
Bluestem 22 0 8 12 – 42
Blue – Vice 4 run (Squire run)
Blue – Shepherd 56 punt return (run failed)
Fre – Farr 2 run (pass failed)
Blue – Squire 2 run (Vice run)
Fre – Bryant 29 pass from O’Leary (run failed)
Blue – Shepherd 2 run (Vice run)
Blue – Shepherd 42 run (run failed)
Fre – Farr 41 run (Bryant pass from O’Leary)
Blue – Thompson 37 reverse (run failed)
RUSHING – Fredonia: Farr 12-63, Ellis 7-12, O’Leary 3-5. Bluestem: Vice 16-135, Shepherd, 13-95, Squire 6-24, Thompson 1-37.
PASSING – Fredonia: O’Leary 8-16-1-133. Bluestem: Shepherd 2-2-0-3.
RECEIVING – Fredonia: Bryant 7-93, Ellis 2-51, Coulter 1-4. Bluestem: Brice 1-4, Vice 1(-4).
