Photo courtesy of WMU Wolves Football social media
There would be no bad luck for WMU football on Friday the 13th, as a suffocating defense and special teams explosion helped the Wolves to a 66-0 win over HLV, and a perfect regular season.
In a game heard on the KCII3 Stream, Winfield-Mt. Union honored their seniors Friday night, and it was that same group showing out early. Eli Miller got things started in a big way, racing 65 yards on the game’s opening kick to put the Wolves up front just seconds in. Following an HLV three-and-out, it was fellow-senior Cole Milks taking the ensuing punt 45 yards for a score. With less than four minutes gone in the first quarter, WMU led by 16 before their offense ran a play.
The would get their chance after the Wolves recovered a fumble on the Warriors’ next possession. Two plays were all that the Winfield offense needed, with Cam Buffington rushing for his first of three touchdowns. Before the first quarter came to a close, Milks would add another special teams touchdown, this one a 53-yard punt return. Carrying a 36-point lead and running clock into the second quarter, the Wolves never looked back.
It was a tough night for the Warrior offense, especially quarterback Max Henstorf, who faced pressure all night. The Wolves defense not only shut out HLV Friday night, but held the Warriors to negative yards in the first half and less than 10 overall. The front three of Abram Edwards, Lane Genkinger, and Cooper Buffington spent most of the game in the backfield for a defense that forced 15 negative plays and two takeaways. Up 50 at the break, WMU headed to the locker room in complete control.
Two second-half touchdowns put the exclamation point on a successful senior night. Carter Loyd caught two passes from Jake Edwards, the second of which went 14 yards to the house, while Nicholas Sparrow’s 19-yard rush in the fourth quarter put the game on ice.
Now 8-0 for the first time since 2015, WMU sets their sights on a postseason run. Guaranteed at least one more home game, the Wolves’ first-round opponent will be determined this weekend.