DeAndre Washington caught nine passes for 127 yards. (Photos by Dustin Craig). 

by Tracy McCue, Sumner Newscow — The Wellington football team has reached the Class 4A quarterfinals for the first time since 2004 in as improbable run as anyone could have expected when this season started.

Wellington defeated Buhler 14-7, and it took every bit of the 48 minutes to do so. In fact, the clock was at 0:00 when Buhler lined up for a 4-yard attempt for a game-tying touchdown which was almost like a two-point conversion.

Buhler’s quarterback Colton Goans would scramble left and threw into a sea of football players only to find Wellington defender Chi Barton on the other end snagging the game-winning interception. Wellington had survived a miracle finish.

A huge crowd was on hand to watch one of the best high school games at Sellers Park in years.

It is hard to describe the final minute of play that is a story in itself. Wellington had taken just taken what appeared to be a game-winning touchdown when quarterback Michael Ledbetter had scrambled in from the 1 to break a 7-all stalemate that had lasted for more than two quarters.

Buhler would get the ball at the 20 and Goans immediately threw a long pass that was intercepted by DeAndre Washington with 36 seconds on the clock.

The south Crusaders were thrown for a 4 yard loss but then were assessed with a 10 yard unsportsmanlike penalty that dropped them into a 2nd-and-24 situation. Because the offense was penalized inside the two-minute mark, Buhler was not assessed a timeout. Wellington’s offense was stymied for two plays, before Trayson Probst had to punt from his own end zone. The offense had just used up 13 seconds.

The offensive line held tough for the Crusaders all evening.

Probst would get off a good kick and it landed at the Wellington 40 with 13 seconds to play. Yes, the punt play that lasted 10 seconds was almost as long as the previous offensive drive.

Buhler got off a quick 6 yard pickup and with seven seconds had to pull off a miracle.

The north Crusaders almost got it. Goans threw a deep pass that appeared to have ricochet into the hands of Trent Hopkins who took it to the 11. But after being tackled, the game appeared to be over. Wellington had stopped Buhler short.

But the official called a Wellington defender with roughing the passer with no time left and because a game can’t end on a defensive penalty, Buhler had one last chance for a miraculous game-tying touchdown.

Oh, and by the way, there was 47 other minutes to this game.

Wellington earned a playoff trophy for the first time since 2009, by again playing great defense. The Dukes held Buhler to 171 yards of total offense and to one touchdown despite being behind the eight ball several times throughout the game.

Fumbling was a big part of the game as both teams lost four for the game including several that were recovered by the offense.

The two teams were scoreless in the first quarter, despite both going on lengthy drives only to be stymied deep in their territories. Wellington missed a field goal and Buhler loss the ball on downs.

In the second quarter, Wellington got on the board when Ledbetter connected with Washington on a 26 pass to the corner on single coverage. The two had been struggling as of late but were on fire in this game, connecting for 127 yards.

Later in the quarter, a bad snap to Probst gave Buhler the ball at the 17. Then Goans scrambled in from the 13 on a keeper to tie the game at 7.

That was the score for an eternity. The second half started as a punt fest as neither offense could establish much of anything.

Buhler was eventually winning the field position battle but couldn’t take advantage of the Wellington defense. The game was going to be decided on a break.

Karsten Gill was huge Friday night with two made PATs and a near miss on a field goal.

Wellington got it at midfield when Hunter Greenlee recovers a fumble at the Buhler 46 with 4:06 to play.

The Crusaders then put together a masterful drive in which it used nine plays to get down to the 1 and use three minutes of the clock.

After Grey Hatfield got a first down at the 1, Ledbetter  barreled his way in for a touchdown. Wellington had taken a 14-7 lead. But by that time it was far from over.

Wellington will how host Goddard Friday night for its third consecutive home game. Goddard was a 21-7 victor over Andover Central. Both teams are at 8-2 and are the No. 2 and 3 seeds in the Class 4A West. Stats, interviews, and bracket are in the story below.

There were the flags including two huge calls going against Wellington in the final 30 seconds of the game.

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