The Liberal Redskins out scored the Topeka Seaman Viking 24-0 in the fourth quarter on the way to a 41-17 win in the first round of the 5A playoffs Friday night at the Gary Cornelsen Sports Complex. The Redskins win their opening round game for a third straight year. Tevin Cotter passed for two touchdowns and rushed three touchdowns in the win.
Liberal took their opening drive to just inside the 10 for first and goal but did not score. Seaman QB Jack Becker launched a 59 yard touchdown to Coy Barta at the 6:36 mark for the 7-0 lead. Natividad Ovalle kicked a 32 yard field goal with 41 seconds remaining in the first quarter to make it 7-3. Ethan Olmstead made a tackle for loss on a 4th down play for Seaman. But Liberal’s drive stalled. Seaman’s Quentin Moravec ran it in from nine yards out at the 2:43 mark of the second quarter to lead 14-3 after the PAT. Tevin Cotter’s one yard sneak with 27 second remaining in the first half made it 14-10 after the Ovalle PAT. Max Holman intercepted a Seaman pass early in the third quarter. Seaman’s Bryan Hayes booted a 28 yard field goal with 4:53 remaining in the third to lead 17-10. Tevin Cotter’s five yard touchdown pass to James Fieser with 46 seconds remaining in the third quarter tied the game at 17-17. Ethan Olmstead made another stop on 4th down. Tevin Cotter’s five year TD run game the Skins a 24-17 lead with 9:43 to play. Ovalle’s 44 yard field goal gave the Redskins the coveted two score lead at 27-17 with 5:31 to play. Tevin Cotter’s 29 yard hook up with Max Holman made it 34-17 with 4:32 to play. Kye Morris recovered a squib kick. Cotter’s one yard score capped off the night for the 41-17 win.
Tevin Cotter was Epic Touch Player of the Game. Cotter was 19-32 for 276 yards and two touchdowns. He had 20 carries for 101 yards and three touchdowns. Wyatt Mannel carried 16 times for 83 yards. Max Holman had 6 catches for 123 yards and a touchdown. James Fieser had 9 catches for 106 yards and a touchdown. Landry Fitzgerald led the defense with 12 tackles and one for a loss. Ethan Olmstead registered seven tackles and two tackles for loss. Ismael Calderon had seven tackles including one tackle for loss. Austin Dodge had six tackles and two tackles for loss. Brenton Spahn-Hardman had five tackles with .5 tackles for loss. Wyatt Mannel had five tackles.
Seaman finishes 3-6. Liberal is 7-2 and hosts Salina South Friday night at Redskin Field. Salina South upset Andover 24-20 at Andover Friday night. The game will air on 1270 and 92.3.
