Defensive takeaways and a quick-striking offense were on full display in Winfield Friday night, as the Wolves took care of business against a banged-up Belle Plaine team, 64-8.
After winning the opening coin toss, Winfield elected to let their defense take the field first and they did not disappoint. A Cam Buffington interception on the Plainsmen’s third play from scrimmage gave the Wolves an opportunity to strike first from mid-field. One play was all Jake Edwards needed to connect with his brother Abram for 40 yards and a score. Belle Plaine would be forced to punt on their next possession, setting up another quick drive from the Wolves. This time, it took two plays for WMU to find the endzone with Buffington carrying his first offensive touch 31 yards for a touchdown.
The Plainsmen won the time of possession battle in the first half, converting a fake punt to extend their third drive into the second quarter. This ultimately led to a 15-yard touchdown reception from Riley Simmons and a two point conversion to cut the Wolves’ lead in half. It wouldn’t stay that way for long though. Another two-play drive from the WMU offense culminated in Buffington’s longest run of the night, a 51-yard dash to give the Wolves a 24-8 lead. The senior would later add two more touchdowns on his way to eclipsing the 1,000-yard rushing mark for the third-consecutive season.
The defense of Winfield seemingly drew a line in the sand following the Belle Plain touchdown, forcing a turnover on downs and two takeaways on their next three trips out. Abram Edwards batted an Aidan Timm pass into the hands of Lane Genkinger, who also recovered a fumble in the first half. A career night for Genkinger saw the junior take the ball away three times. Meanwhile, Jake Edwards and the offense scored on each first-half possession, as Edwards found Cole Milks and Carter Loyd for touchdowns, while also running one in himself. He finished the evening 5/9 for 146 yards and four total scores.
A running clock and 40-point lead at halftime made for a quick second half, but the Wolves still managed to tack on another Buffington and Milks touchdown along with their fourth takeaway on defense. It was a turnover-free affair for the offense, who out-gained the Plainsmen by nearly 300 yards despite running 22 fewer plays. The defense won the turnover battle 4-0, against a Belle Plaine team that entered the night averaging more than three takeaways per contest.
With the victory, the Wolves improve to 9-0, and are just one away from tying the most for a WMU team in the 21st century. More importantly, they advance to the round of sixteen, with their next opponent to be determined Saturday morning.