No team has consistently seen Sharon Springs-Wallace County at its best more frequently in recent years than Hoxie. In film study this week, seventh-year Indian coach Lance Baar noticed the trademark physicality of the Wildcat offensive and defensive lines. Baar saw Wallace County’s double-tight formation, a longtime staple.
However, Baar viewed several changes. First, Baar said Wallace County is “much better” in their spread game, especially passing with senior quarterback Eric Gfeller, in his second year as starter. Baar believes Gfeller has “really improved” from last fall, a sentiment shown by numbers, too.
Gfeller has thrown for 445 yards and rushed for 369 with 16 touchdowns accounted for and no interceptions. He had 207 yards passing and 104 rushing with six touchdowns accounted for through three weeks as a junior.
“He has thrown it extremely well,” Baar said. “I think this Wallace County team probably could be one of the most athletic just from your offensive linemen to your backs, to your quarterback, just across the board, all those guys are just extremely good athletes. There is nobody that stands out that’s really big or really fast. They are just all good athletes.”
Wallace County, 3-0 and ranked No. 2 in Eight-Man, Division II, has delivered significantly better offensive statistics through the first three games compared to the first three in 2014. Last season, the Wildcats eventually finished 11-1.
“Last year, when we had Eric in there, he was a little inexperienced at the time,” second-year coach Jeff Hennick said. “Sometimes he delivered balls a little too early. Sometimes he wouldn’t step up in the pocket. Sometimes, he was a little worried about doing what he has to, and this year, I think everything has slowed down for him a little bit. He is trusting his guys up front a little more, he is trusting his guys on his routes. All that comes with experience.”
Hoxie, with three seniors and no juniors, has had success since transitioning to eight-man football. The Indians host Wallace County in a key district contest Friday.
Wallace County is 4-1 in the last five years in the series with four straight close victories: 30-22, 20-6, 36-28 and 24-16. Wallace County has not lost a regular season contest since Week 4 of the 2011 season, a 26-18 road loss to Cheylin.
All week, the Hoxie seniors – quarterback Jake Heim, lineman Peyton Taylor and lineman/linebacker Drake Rowh – have talked with the underclassmen about the game. After last year’s close loss, Baar admitted how much he wanted to beat Wallace County.
“Those are the games that you want to get back,” Baar said.
“Us and Hoxie has turned into a rival, especially with how close the games have been,” Hennick said.
After the first three games last season, Wallace County averaged 35.3 points per contest and allowed 10.6. This season, the Wildcats have tallied 49.6 a contest and allowed 11.3.
That included a 36-14 victory against Atwood-Rawlins County and 52-6 against Oberlin-Decatur Community. The Wildcats won those games by a combined score of 58-32 last season.
Wallace County has thrown for 148 yards per game, rushed for 239, completed 64.7 percent of its passes, averaged 7.6 yards per rush, and more than eight yards per play.
After three games in 2014, Wallace County had passed for 69 yards per contest, rushed for 182, completed 57.1 percent, averaged 4.8 yards per rush and had 5.6 yards per play.
In addition to Gfeller and all-state running back Luke Schemm, Wallace County has enjoyed its usual mix of strong returning talent and several new players stepping up. Hardin Perry and Gabe Klinge return as senior starters on the line.
“One of the big things in our offensive line play,” Hennick said. “I think we are a little more experienced up front there. … We are able to put a lot of kids on the field who have some experience that didn’t have as much experience last year, and I think that helps tremendously.”
Senior captain Nate Bussen has emerged in his first year as a starter on the interior line, and senior Cade Allen, another first year starter, has played at end.
“These kids, it’s finally their time, and they are ready to step up to the plate and handle anything,” Hennick said.
Grady Hammer moved from the interior line and leads the Wildcats with nine catches for 180 yards.
“He is a very smart, young man,” Hennick said. “I feel comfortable with putting him anywhere.”
After two-time, all-state running back Connor Katt graduated, sophomore Latham Schwarz has stepped up this fall. Hoxie has had one running back quit and another get terribly sick. Schwarz is expected to shoulder the load Friday.
Schwarz leads the team with 40 carries for 295 yards and eight scores. He has 450 all-purpose yards, including a kick return for a touchdown. Heim has continued his steady play at quarterback. The Indians have yet to commit a turnover this season.
Taylor has 30 tackles and seven tackles for loss (TFLs), while Rowh ranks second in both numbers with 28 tackles and three TFLs. Baar said Taylor is on par with former all-state Hoxie nose guards Dillon Salmans and Mitchel Johnson. Rowh played limited time in 2014.
“This year, (Rowh) has been fantastic,” Baar said. “Really big energy guy for us. I think he kind of just keeps us going, and he gets our energy up. Flies around on defense. Offensively been playing line, played a little bit of fullback last week. Does a great job.”
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