Crusader preview: Wellington set to battle Rose Hill in what could be a barnburner
by Tracy McCue, Sumner Newscow — Little separates these two programs that make red their primary color. And Friday night is shaping up to be a barnburner.
Rose Hill is 1-3 but two of those losses came against Andale 57-6 and Wichita Collegiate 35-7. Those are eerily similar scores that Wellington had against the gruesome twosome.
The other games included a 47-7 victory against Clearwater and a 27-20 loss to Augusta.
In that game last week against Augusta, the Orioles had a 20-7 half-time lead only to see Rose Hill score two touchdowns on a 57-yard throw from Lane Garner to Luke McLaughlin and a 3-yard run by Keegan Beavers to tie the game at 20. Augusta broke the tie late on a 3-yard touchdown run.
Rose Hill was able to mix it up getting 217 yards rushing and 101 yards passing.
Wellington got a huge win in a physical beatdown of Labette County last week and hopes to continue the momentum Friday night in Rose Hill.
The Crusaders, playing someone other than the No. 1 and 2 in the state, showed what they could do with their speed offensively and aggressiveness on defense.
Wellington accumulated 425 yards in offense and held Labette to 195 including -22 yards in rushing.
In 2020, Wellington opened with a 14-0 lead but then saw Rose Hill score four consecutive touchdowns to eventually win 28-20. In that game, Wellington was plagued with turnovers. Taking care of the ball will be key Friday night – as it usually always is. Wellington also needs to cut down on the penalties. Two players were ejected last week.
It should be a good one. Rainy weather could be a factor and it will be interesting to see how slick this field will be from the potential wet weather.
Wellington-Rose Hill game at a glance:
Wellington (1-2) at Rose Hill (1-3), Friday at 7 p.m.
Follow the game: Internet: Live Twitter blogs on this site. Twitter: Follow us at Cueballnewscow. Radio: Crusader radio (click here). Live-streaming: You can watch it here. You will need a subscription to NFHS. Photos and recaps: As always: wellington.cc and Sumner Newscow.
Game night weather: Chances of thunderstorms – around 35 percent according to weather.com. So bring an umbrella.
Series history: Wellington leads the series 17-6. In the past five battles, Wellington leads 3-2.
2006 – Rose Hill 21 Wellington 6 bi-district.
2008 – Wellington 14 Rose Hill 13
2009 – Rose Hill 21 Wellington 15
2014 – Wellington 33 Rose Hill 21
2015 – Wellington 44 Rose Hill 20
2016 – Rose Hill 7 Wellington 6
2017 – Wellington 27 Rose Hill 13
2018 – Wellington 38 Rose Hill 7
2018 – Wellington 38 Rose Hill 13 (play-in).
2019 – Rose Hill 35 Wellington 0
2020 – Rose Hill 28 Wellington 20.
League standings:
| 2021 Ark Valley Chisholm Trail League Div. IV | ||||
| School | League | Overall | ||
| W | L | W | L | |
| Andale | 3 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| Collegiate | 3 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| Mulvane | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Rose Hill | 1 | 2 | 1 | 3 |
| Clearwater | 0 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Wellington | 0 | 2 | 1 | 2 |
Game’s significance: Significant in the playoff standings. If Wellington can win Friday night, it can leap-frog not only Rose Hill but own any possible tiebreaker (although that might not be relevant – more on that in a bit).
Injuries: Here is the injury report as of Thursday:
•Mehki Haskin-Ybarra will be dressing out for Friday;
•Jakob Lira- was doubtful as of Monday.
•Dominic Ybarra- appears to be back.
•••••
Competing schedules:
Wellington (1-2)
Wellington vs. Clearwater (canceled)
Collegiate 35 Wellington 13.
Andale 61 Wellington 6.
Wellington 49 Labette County 12.
Rose Hill, home
El Dorado, away
Buhler, away
Mulvane, home.
Rose Hill (1-3).
Andale 57 Rose Hill 6
Rose Hill 47 Clearwater 7
Collegiate 35 Rose Hill 7
Augusta 27 Rose Hill 20.
———
Class 4A West – District playoff standings
|
Overall | Points | Avg. | Win % | |
| McPherson | 4-0 | 37 | 9.3 | 1 | |
|
4-0 | 32 | 8 | 1 | |
| Buhler | 3-1 | 30 | 7.5 | 0.75 | |
| Independence | 3-1 | 26 | 6.5 | 0.75 | |
| Wamego | 3-1 | 26 | 6.5 | 0.75 | |
| Augusta | 3-1 | 20 | 5 | 0.75 | |
| El Dorado | 2-2 | 11 | 2.8 | 0.5 | |
| Mulvane | 2-2 | 9 | 2.3 | 0.5 | |
| Winfield | 2-2 | 4 | 1 | 0.5 | |
| Arkansas City | 2-2 | -3 | -0.8 | 0.5 | |
| Towanda-Circle | 2-2 | -11 | -2.8 | 0.5 | |
| Wellington | 1-2 | -13 | -4.3 | 0.333 | |
| Ulysses | 1-3 | -24 | -6 | 0.25 | |
| Rose Hill | 1-3 | -28 | -7 | 0.25 | |
| Abilene | 0-4 | -46 | -11.5 | 0 | |
| Great Bend | 0-4 | -52 | -13 | 0 |
Playoff analysis: If the season ended today, Wellington would be the 12th seed (fifth from the bottom) and play the fifth seed which would be Wamego on the road. Wellington can significantly improve its stock with a win at Rose Hill. It also does not have a tiebreaker as it is the only 4A-West team with only three games played compared to everyone else having four. So if Wellington wins Friday, it could leapfrog several teams – (0 to 5 teams), giving them control of home-field advantage in the first round or close to it. A loss would keep them in the lower tier with the potential of playing the likes of Wamego, Buhler, Andover Central.
Ins and out: Last week’s Wellington vs. Labette County game was inadvertently erased from this website and that wasn’t discovered until tonight’s writing of the Crusader preview. It has been restored. You can find it here. The sports editor, age 57, apologizes for his dementia.
Roster:
