by Tracy McCue, Sumner Newscow — It seems appropriate that a dramatic week would be capped with a dramatic game.

Wellington would beat Rose Hill 33-21. But it was also the kind of game that the Crusaders couldn’t get off the field fast enough.

After taking a 27-0, Rose Hill would make a furious comeback in the second half, scoring three touchdowns and almost getting a fourth. Wellington survived with a gutsy touchdown drive very late in the game.

Some of the boys after the game seemed gassed. The injuries that has so decimated this team like no other appeared to be catching up on the Crusaders late. This could also be Colin Reichenberger’s last hurrah as the school’s record breaking receiver. He played with a bandaged hand, an injury he incurred in practice when he smashed his finger against another teammate’s helmet earlier this week. 

He is to go into surgery on Tuesday. Friday night he played defense and made about three tackles.

Adam Condit, who has been nursing a sore ankle, came down with the stomach flu on Friday. All told, Wellington had four starters gone and some on the sidelines not at full strength.

“When you are a coach you learn that nothing surprises you,” Wellington head football coach Tyler Ryan said. “But this has been a tough week for sure.”

Still Wellington opened the game as if nothing could stop them. The Crusaders would score on their first three possessions with a dominating performance. On their first possession that started at the Rose Hill 47, the Crusaders would take off on a seven-play touchdown drive that took up slightly more than five minutes that was capped by a Lane Beard touchdown.

Rose Hill would then turn the ball over on the ensuing kickoff and Wellington promptly scored on a Trevor Nance 1 yard touchdown run. Wellington had barely got its uniforms dirty and it was already 14-0.

Then using a fake punt throw to Remington Gilkey, who had a sensational night coming in for Reichenberger caught a 30 yard reception on fourth down. Eventually, the two would connect again on an 18 yard touchdown throw. Wellington was cruising leading 20-0.

The Crusaders would add another touchdown right before the half.

In the third quarter, Wellington received the ball first and appeared to be marching back up field when it found itself in a fourth-and-1 situation. Beard plunged forward but the mark was just an inch short. Rose Hill caught a break and took full advantage implementing a more aggressive passing and running game.

The Rockets got on the board on a 15 yard touchdown pass from Bonar to Nolan. Then on the next possession, Rose Hill intercepted the ball and started in enemy territory. The defense would hold but a fumble on Wellington’s next possession gave Rose Hill new life again.

This time the Rockets would convert and score a second touchdown to make it 27-14.

Wellington’s offense would mobil downfield and would attempt its first field goal of the season. The ball sailed wide barely. But time was running out on the Rockets still trailing by two touchdowns after they were forced to punt. A personal foul would thwart the next Wellington drive. Nance kicked a great punt and pinned the Rockets at the 3.

But Rose Hill wouldn’t wilt, going on a 97 yard jaunt that included crisp passes for lengthy gains. Bonar would then score on 4-yard touchdown keeper to pull within six with 3:30 to play.

The Crusader Nation was sweating. Wellington was third-and-6,when a beautiful Nance-to-Phelps pass to the flat kept the drive alive and was taking valuable time off the clock.

Again, Wellington found itself in a third and six with 1:19 to play. This time Nance rolled to his left, dumped the pass to Gilkey who took off and nearly broke it all the way to the 9.

At that point, all Wellington had to do is kneel the ball down to get the victory. But in the Kansas district playoff system, points are a premium. Wellington decided to use flanker Phelps on a run and he found a seam. He was going into the end zone when the ball squirted loose. Somehow, Phelps recovered and it was a touchdown.

It could have easily been a touchback for Rose Hill giving the Rockets new life.

That wouldn’t have been good, because the Rockets were easily moving through the Crusader defense. Down by two touchdowns with 40 seconds left to play, Rose Hill drove the length of the field hoping to gain back six extra points. The Crusaders would persevere with a Nance interception as time expired. Wellington would win by 12.

Elsewhere, Ulysses would beat Mulvane at home 36-29. It appears Wellington has a lot left to do before it can wrap up its first playoff berth in four years.

Individual statistics:

Rushing — Rose Hill: Rodman 9-86, Hollis 2-10, Padgett 1-0, McBride 1-(-5), Bonar 13-(-8), Wellington: Beard 13-116, Phelps 2-9, Hines 1-1.

Passing – Rose Hill: Bonar 16-29-0-170, Wellington: Nance 12-18-0-163.

Receiving – Rose Hill: Rodman 4-71, Norton 5-54, McBride 4-35, Smith 2-29, Helmke 1-7. Wellington: Gilkey 4-92, Phelps 7-75, Beard 1-4.

Follow us on Twitter.