Kimball football team puts together winning season

It was a winning year of football for coach Nick Kuxhausen and his staff with 6 wins and only 3 losses for Kuxhausen in his second year as the head man. The Longhorns were so close to making the state playoffs in the year of the new format where the playoff teams in C-2 were cut from 32 to 16. Kimball ended up in a tie for the number 18 spot. Think back to the 20-17 loss to Southern Valley, (who made the playoffs) where the Horns were leading until the final minutes.

In looking back, Kimball opened with a 30-16 win over Gordon-Rushville, then the 20-17 loss to Southern Valley, a 45-6 win over Mitchell, a 38-6 loss to C-l Chase County, a 44-29 win over Bayard, a 33-6 win over Cambridge, a 37-3 loss to state ranked and playoff bound North Platte St. Pats, a huge 24-21 last second win at Hershey, and another come from behind win over Bridgeport by a score of 33-32. It all still sounds exciting just remembering the scores!

Nine seniors on this year’s team and they will be missed big time. Let’s start with Jonathon Withrow, the outstanding running back who set new school records in the rushing department as he piled up 1,345 yards this season on 195 carries to average 6.9 yards per carry. This wasn’t quite as good as the single season rushing record he set as a junior, but what a great season as he established a new career rushing mark for Kimball High of 3,125 yards on 503 carries for a 6.2 yard average. He also had 15 receptions for 230 yards averaging 15.33 per catch, completed 3 of 4 passes for 82 yards, averaged over 23 yards on 15 kickoff returns, scored 102 points, and had 69 tackles, 1 interception and 1 fumble recovery.

Colton Stull was the quarterback and was a good one. He was 50 of 102 passing for 627 yards with 5 touchdowns and 4 interceptions, scored 24 points, and 39 tackles.

AJ Spicer was the fullback in this solid backfield with 299 yards rushing averaging 5.25 per carry, scored 24 points, and had 38 tackles.

Michael Ferguson was the top pass catcher with 18 receptions for 263 yards averaging 14.61 yards per catch, scored 6 points, and had 72 tackles as a defensive end.

Enrique Cajero was a solid lineman for the Horns but his talented toe was so special and has attracted some college coaches. Enrique handled most all of the kicking chores for the Horns averaging 36 yards on 25 punts, accounted for 47 kickoffs, made 26 of 33 PAT kicks, made 5 field goals, and scored 41 points. Will be hard to replace.

Big Ben Sauter was a two way lineman who had 61 tackles and led the team in tackles for loss. Damien Rutledge is another two way lineman who missed some action with illness but still wound up 49 tackles and had his share of tackles for loss. Justin Mohr was a capable linebacker/offensive 1ineman despite weighing in at only 150 pounds. He had 31 tackles. Tyler Harroun was also an interior lineman who was always upbeat and ready to help out at any time.

Despite losing this outstanding group of seniors, the cupboard is not bare. The name Withrow will still be in the lineup again next season. Sophomore Jaden Withrow had a good season with 313 yards rushing on 38 carries for an 8.24 average, caught 6 passes for 62 yards, had 73 tackles, an interception and fumble recovery, was used on both punt returns and kickoff returns and scored 20 points.

Angel Flores is another speedy specialist who had some yardage from both rushing and receiving, had 32 tackles, 2 interceptions, helped on returns, and scored 6 points. Ethan Land fits in this same category with 58 tackles, a team high 3 interceptions and could play any position on the field. Tyler Magninie appears to be the heir to the quarterback spot and also got in on 19 tackles and after a year of 11 man football has a lot of athletic ability and should be ready to take control. Trent Rutledge had 121 yards of receptions averaging over 20 yards per catch, was in on 24 tackles and is a good all around athlete. Logan Stahla will come into his own next year after a good sophomore season where he showed he can be a productive ball carrier and also get the job done on defense.

Kyle Spicer is yet another who will get better and better. Ditto Anthony Williams. Freshman Byron Rowley had injuries that hampered his freshman year, but this young man is an outstanding athlete who will shine when he is healthy. These and others, including a good incoming freshman class, makes one think the Horns will be competitive again next season.

Looking at some team totals, other than the 6-3 record, the Horns rushed for 2,050 yards on 346 carries to average 5.93 yard per rush. They were 54 of 109 passing for 741 yards for 6 touchdowns for .495% completion with 4 interceptions. They scored 235 points averaging 26 per game. They allowed 205 points, finished 4-1 in conference play, were 2-2 at home, and 4-1 on the road. All in all, a good season! The junior varsity ended up 4-0 on the year.

Congrats again to coach Kuxhausen and his staff, to the departing seniors, and to the entire team of 2014.