BY CHARLES CHANEY

DOUGLASS, Kansas — The Macarena was sweeping the world as the No. 1 song and ‘Maximum Risk’ was the No. 1 movie at the box offices.

That’s what happened the last time Douglass beat Conway Springs in 1996.

You don’t have to worry about that pop culture references anymore as Douglass throttled defending state champions Conway Springs, 44-3.

Conway Springs probably won’t be ranked fourth when the rankings come out on Monday. Maybe we should see Douglass receive some votes.

The Bulldogs controlled the game on the opening kickoff and never looked back as it only took three plays for Douglass to score on a reverse to Charlie Kielhorn from Hunter West.

Carter Green would score the first of his three touchdowns early in the second quarter on a dive play from the three as Douglass built a 12-3 lead with 11:25 remaining in the half.

Douglass would take a 12-3 lead into the break.

Then the dam would break.

After knocking on the door through their powerful run game, Douglass finally broke through the Conway Springs defense.

It started when Wyatt Moore ran the reverse to Oliver Tilton on the kickoff and he returned it into Conway Springs to start the second half. Kane Ast would Bryson Knisley on a play action pass for 32 yards. Three plays later, Green would punch it in untouched his second touchdown.

The defense came up huge on the next possession, holding the Cardinals on a fourth and goal as the defense pressure Conway Springs QB Eli Benge into a tough pass and it was dropped for the turnover on downs.

Conway Springs did themselves no favors as the head coach caught an unsportsmanlike after a defensive pass interference penalty and helped Douglass off the goal line. Carter Green would break it down the sideline for a 63 yard touchdown to put Douglass in front 28-3 with 3:25 to go in the third.

Douglass’ defense once again came up on fourth down as Conway Springs couldn’t anything going on their next drive and it stalled just across midfield, giving the Bulldogs great field position.

Douglass only needed one play as the rout was on.

Ast hit Knisley on a play action over the middle, who side stepped two defenders on his way for a 63 yard touchdown and the lead ballooned to 36-3.

Ast added in a 22 yard run of his own to get in on the fun in the fourth quarter.

The defense added a cherry on top by not allowing a last second touchdown, fending off Conway Springs near the goal line as the game ended.

The 44 points are the most scored in a game for Douglass since 2022 when they did it three times that season. The 44 points are the most Conway Springs has allowed since Cheney scored 49 on them in 2019.

There hace been 57 previous meetings between the two CPL schools and it’s the most Douglass has ever scored against Conway. Previous high was 40 in a 40-13 win in 1991.

It’s the fewest amount of points allowed since Douglass shut out Conway Springs in 1992, 12-0.

The Douglass defense held the Cardinals to less than 200 yards total offense.

Green led Douglass with 160 yards and three touchdowns on the ground. Ast had 55 on the ground and 132 passing. Ast was 6 of 7 passing to go along with his touchdown.

Oh yeah. That 1996 Douglass team? They went 7-3, losing to eventual state champion Hesston in the first round of the 3A playoffs.

Douglass will travel to unbeaten Haven on Friday night to open district play.

Douglass 44, No. 4 Conway Springs 3

Conway Springs        3        0         0       0 — 03
Douglass                      6        6       24      8 — 44

D – 19 yd run Charlie Kielhorn (run failed)
CS – 25 yd FG Eli Benge
D – 2 yd run Carter Green (run failed)
D – 3 yd run Carter Green (Kane Ast pass to Bronsyn Knisley)
D – 2 yd run Carter Green (Ast pass to Hunter West)
D – 63 yd pass Ast to Knisley (Oliver Tilton run)
D – 22 yd run Kane Ast (Ast run)

Rushing: Douglass –   Kane Ast 8-55; Charlie Kielhorn 4-26; Hunter West 5-10; Carter Green 14-160; Oliver Tilton 1-3; Totals 32-254. Conway Springs –   Lucas Pauly 1-(5); Logan Osner 22-96; Eli Benge 9-14; Joseph Beck 3-1; Joseph Howard 9-50;  Totals 44-156.

Passing: (cmp-att-yds-td-int): Douglass – Kane Ast 6-7-132-1-0. Conway Springs – Eli Benge 4-8-40-0-0.

Receiving: Douglass – Bronsyn Knisley 4-123; Justin West 1-6; Hunter West 1-3. Conway Springs – Joseph Beck 1-8; Logan Osner 3-32.