BELLE PLAINE—Moundridge overcame an early eight-point deficit and used a 16-point third quarter to defeat Belle Plaine 24-16 on Oct. 30, opening the Kansas State High School Activities Association Class 1A football playoffs with a road victory.
Belle Plaine took an 8-0 lead in the first quarter on an interception return for a touchdown and a successful two-point conversion.
Moundridge answered in the second quarter when Tione Wilson scored on a 6-yard run.
Wilson added the two-point conversion to tie the game at 8-8 before halftime.
The Wildcats took control in the third quarter, scoring three touchdowns to build a 24-8 advantage.
Wilson broke through for another rushing touchdown and added the two-point conversion.
Alex Rose followed with a rushing touchdown of his own, also completing a two-point conversion to give Moundridge a 16-point lead.
Belle Plaine scored once in the fourth quarter and converted the two-point attempt, but Moundridge held on for the win.
Wilson led the Wildcats’ offense with 226 yards and two touchdowns on 24 carries.
His longest run covered 59 yards.
Rose added 17 rushing yards and a touchdown on four attempts.
He also completed one of three passes for 1 yard.
Josh Koehn recorded Moundridge’s lone reception, gaining 1 yard.
Moundridge finished with 244 yards of total offense, including 243 rushing yards.
The Wildcats ran 42 offensive plays and recorded seven first downs.
They converted one of six third-down attempts and their lone fourth-down attempt.
Moundridge had two turnovers, including one lost fumble and one interception, and was penalized four times for 20 yards.
Raymond Kaufman led the defense with six tackles and two assists, including one tackle for loss.
Logan DenHartog recorded five tackles and six assists, while Garet Wedel had five tackles, four assists and two tackles for loss.
Cooper Schmidt added five tackles and three assists.
The victory improved Moundridge’s season record to 5-4 and advanced the Wildcats to the Regional Round of the Class 1A playoffs where they will travel to Sterling on Nov. 6 to face the undefeated Black Bears.
Sterling High School won the 2025 KSHSAA 1A Football Championship and completed an undefeated season.
