by Tracy McCue, Sumner Newscow — Wackiness seems to be an appropriate term when Wellington and Winfield play, and it most certainly was the case again Thursday as Wellington lost to Winfield 41-18 to put an end to the 2013 season.

The Crusaders finished the year at 5-4. It was not a good end to a very exciting season.

Despite a horrendous first quarter, Wellington was very much in the game in the second quarter, trailing 14-12. But Winfield scored a late second quarter touchdown to take a 20-12 lead.

And after Wellington started the second half with an impressive drive, that would end on a fourth down, Winfield would march 84 yards on six plays to take a 27-12 lead. 

It seemed from that point forward, this was Winfield’s game to lose.

For the second straight year, Wellington would open district play with a win, but could not finish things off, losing to Mulvane and Winfield.

While last week, Wellington could be kicking itself with missed opportunities and poor officiating, this week Wellington was just snakebite.

After Will Adler would connect with Logan Mayes on a 58-yard touchdown pass on Winfield’s second drive, Wellington quarterback Trevor Nance would roll out and pitch the ball to the running back. But the ball was batted up by one Winfield defender and Sam Kamp caught it and raced 43 yards all alone for an interception touchdown.

And just like that in a little more than a minute, Winfield had turned a scoreless game into a 14-0 lead.

Then after a Wellington punt, Winfield offered some self destruction when Andrew Pelkey recovered the ball at the 1 and arguably had momentum into the end zone. Wellington was sitting at the one-foot line for what should have been an easy touchdown on first down.

No dice. Nance was stopped on a quarterback keeper. Then the Crusaders were called for a false start which tended to be a problem in the final two games of the year. Backed to the 6, Wellington completed none of the two passes thrown and Winfield had kept its 14-0 lead.

It would be hard to imagine what would have happened had Wellington scored then. The Crusaders most certainly played with gumption in the second quarter. Austin Dunn would cap two touchdown drives after big passes by Nance to Colin Reichenberger and Connor Phelps on the next ensuing drives.

Then when it looked like Wellington was in business on a long Reichenberger pass completion, he was stripped of the ball and Winfield got the ball back.

The Vikings were able to get a touchdown on an Adler to Blake Crandall 41-yard touchdown reception.

Down 20-12, Wellington put together an excellent set of offensive plays to start the second half, eventually getting inside the 20. Then Wellington would only pick up five yards on four plays and Winfield took over at the 16.

The next drive, Winfield opened the field with outside sweeps and counter plays. When Jordan Johnson ran in from the 4, the Vikings were in front 27-12.

Wellington would get to midfield but again turned the ball over on downs. Then Adler would hit Mayes on a 57-yard touchdown pass. And all that was left was the shouting with the Vikings in front 34-12.

Winfield would score one more time on another Adler to Mayes pass. Then Wellington got a score on a Dunn 4-yard run. The Crusaders would get in scoring position again but a personal foul negated another score.

Winfield 41 Wellington 18

Wellington 0 12 0 6 — 18

Winfield 14 6 14 7 – 41

Wi — Adler to Mayes 58 yard touchdown pass  (PAT kick).

Wi — Camp 43 yard interception return (PAT kick).

We — Dunn 1 yard run (PAT kick no good).

We — Dunn 4 yard run (PAT pass no good).

Wi — Adler to Crandall 41 pass reception (PAT pass no good).

Wi — Johnson 4 run (PAT kick)

Wi — Adler to Mayes 57 pass (PAT kick)

Wi — Adler to Mayes 20 pass (PAT kick)

We — Dunn 4 run (PAT pass no good).