BY CHARLES CHANEY
AUGUSTA, Kan. — It was the lowest scoring game in Augusta history dating back to 1985 when the Orioles won a game, 2-0, over Goddard.
Friday night’s outcome wasn’t as happy.
Abilene sophomore Brandon Sims hit a 33-yard field goal midway through the third quarter and that was all the scoring, as Abilene stole a game on Homecoming, 3-0.
It’s the first time Augusta has lost a 3-0 game in school history as the loss drops Augusta to 1-5 on the season. Previously, the lowest scoring loss in school history was 6-0 loss to Mulvane in the 1983 season opener. That game was also a single scoring drive in the third quarter that was the difference.
That 2-0 game in 1985 saw Augusta’s Mike Potts tackle the Goddard quarterback for a safety in the fourth quarter, giving the Orioles their first win of that season.
Despite all the close losses, three of them by a combined seven points, head coach Dawson Elliott isn’t looking for moral victories.
“At the end of the day, we’re 1-5,” he said. “Can’t look at what could be or what should have happened. We’re a team that should be very good, but I gotta find a way to put it all together.”
Elliott took all of the blame for Friday night’s loss.
It was a weird one for the Orioles (1-5). They had more rushing yards (117) than Abilene had total yards (113). The Orioles never could find a way to score, despite being in the red zone multiple times.
“We have to find a way to put points on the board,” Elliott said. “That should never happen.”
Throughout the darkness on the offensive side, it was the defense that shined through.
They were hard hitting, never breaking all night long. Drew Bourm, Mason Pringle and Cade Camac kept making plays after plays. The secondary was locked down all night, only allowing one big pass play.
It was a big response after they allowed 49 points to Wellington last week.
“Coach Abbott really got things rolling with the defense,” Elliott said. “He had a really good game plan, and if the offense showed up, we should have came out with a win. It’s a team game. It goes to all three facets, special teams, offense, defense, and we lost one of those tonight.”
Even when the Cowboys (4-2) had found some momentum in the third quarter on the ground after a rough punt put Abilene at the Oriole 39 to start the drive, it was the defense that stood tall. Abilene drove down to the 1-yard line before a bad snap pushed Abilene back and then Owen Roberts had the sack on third down, making the field goal a little tougher.
Sims hit it clean though. That’s all Abilene needed.
Augusta did drive down the field, finding a chance in the fourth quarter to take the lead but it was the quarterback of Abilene who made a big defensive play on third down. He jumped in front of a receiver at the last minute, tip-toeing in the back of the end zone and ending the scoring threat for Augusta.
“[Abilene] had a good game plan but I have to find ways for us to get the ball in the end zone,” Elliott said. “The kids are playing but at the end of the day it goes on the head coach to get the offense moving. We got to learn not to get behind the sticks and when we move the ball, we have to keep filed position and keep ourselves in field goal range.”
The third-and-goal situation in the fourth quarter on the interception saw the Orioles reach as far down as the 4-yard line before a holding call pushed them back. Then, they reached down to the six before eventually giving up the ball.
On their first drive, the Orioles elected to go for it on fourth-and-10 at the Abilene 20 and turned it over on downs.
Augusta had one last gasp at the end up fell short when Brody Haskell was sacked on Augusta’s final play on fourth down.
Haskell tried to do everything to will his team to a win once again. He led his team in rushing and threw for 111 yards. He made plays with his feet to extend plays as his receivers got open and would pull it and run if needed.
“He’s a special kid,” Elliott said of Haskell. “He puts a lot on himself to make some plays and he’s all around special talent. He works hard, has great energy and is a gunslinger and I love gunslingers.”
The Orioles will now travel to McPherson on Friday night to try and move up in the 4A standings. The Orioles have never won in McPherson and haven’t beaten the Bullpups since 2015. The Orioles were led by quarterback Zach Barclay that night.
“We’re a team that’s dangerous,” Elliott said. “We have the capabilities and it’s just getting us over that hump of understanding we can win and being in those type of games and pulling them out.
“Once we put everything together and these kids really all play like we know they’re capable, we’re going to be a special team.”
Abilene 3, Augusta 0
Abilene 0 0 3 0 — 3
Augusta 0 0 0 0 — 0
Abilene – Brandon Sim 33 FG
RUSHING: Abilene – Lane Hoekman 24-48; Taygen Funston 8-6; Kayden Thrower 1-(-5); team 1-(-2). Totals: 34-47. Augusta – Owen Roberts 14-41; Brody Haskell 14-70; Jaydyn Harris 1-6; Cade Camac 1-0. Totals: 30-117.
PASSING (C-A-YD-TD-INT): Abilene – Funston 7-15-66-0-0. Augusta – Haskell 17-32-111-0-3.
RECEIVING: Abilene – Levi Evans 3-34; Kayden Thrower 2-4; Heath Hoekman 1-10; Nolan Wilkins 1-18. Augusta – Brecken Albert 10-59; Cade Camac 3-33; Owen Roberts 3-13; Cale Wills 1-6.
