Three costly punting mistakes were the impetus to Wellington's downfall in the Friday night season opener at Sellers Park.
The Crusaders fell to Andale 28-0 in front of a jam packed Sellers Park crowd.
The season opening loss is the first one suffered by a Crusader team since 2003 when Wellington fell to Wichita North 26-13.
To make matters worse, Wellington's next opponent Buhler thumped Rose Hill 34-10. The Rockets were predicted by the coaches to win the Ark Valley Chisholm Trail League Division III race.
"We have our work cut out for us," said Linn Hibbs, Wellington head football coach, after the loss.
The scheduling of Andale on game one has never set well with Hibbs and Friday night was Example A of why he had such concerns.
The Indians, posting their seventh consecutive win over the Dukes, would accumulate 340 yards of offense to Wellington's 93.
Jake Hattabaugh would rush for 21 carries and 140 yards on Wellington's stout defense.
"For the past 10 years, Andale has had the league's most valuable player," Hibbs said. "And Hattabaugh or Allen Trent (No. 30) are looking like their on their way to getting the MVP for Andale again."
Wellington's 93 yards of total offense is a bit misleading. That included -54 yards in punting mishaps which is counted in the rushing statistical category.
That also did not account for the countless dropped balls by Wellington receivers.
New junior quarterback Ryan Jenkins statistically had a bad game going 4 of 18 for 30 yards. But he spent much of the evening running for his life due to Andale's constant defensive pressure. Several of his balls were right on target, but the receivers were unable to keep hold of it.
Wellington's most promising drive came on its opening possession when an amped up Crusader team immediately treated the huge crowd to a nice game opening three plays. Jenkins hit two receivers in the flat for 8 yards each and Wellington moved from its own 12 to the 36.
But the first of many dropped passes would follow and the drive stalled. Then when Chaney Stallbaumer fielded the punt, he found himself in a sea of black and gold and kicked on the run. The ball landed for a -3 yards.
That put Andale in prime condition to score at the Wellington 26. Hattebaugh would take his first possession carry of the season and go 17 yards. Two plays later he was in the end zone from the 4.
Wellington's next drive fizzled, and the punting unit came on the field. This time the deep snap sailed over the head of Stallbaumer resulting in a safety.
Andale, which enjoyed prime real estate all evening, again got the ball at midfield. This time the Indians were intercepted by Taylan Ybarra in the end zone.
But a future punting mishap would result in another Andale touchdown.
At the half, the Indians were in front 21-0.
Wellington had its opportunity in the second half to get back in it after the kickoff was pouched, the Crusaders recovered the ball as if it was an onside kick. But the offense sputtered.
Later after stopping Andale again, Wellington moved the ball to the Andale 5, but a fumble knocked Wellington back eight yards and the drive ended in futility.
Eventually, Andale's slow-churning offense would take up valuable time off the clock. The Indians scored a non consequential touchdown late.
Ybarra ended the game with 94 yards rushing and 108 all-purpose yards. Wellington hosts Buhler Friday.
Andale 28 Wellington 0
Andale 9 12 0 7 — 28
Wellington 0 0 0 0 — 0
A- Hattabaugh 5 run (PAT kick)
A- Safety - Wellngton tackle in end zone before kick.
A- Horsch 14 run (PAT no good).
A- O’Hair 36 run.
A- T. Horsch 14 run
Rushing: Andale - Hattabaugh 21-140. O’Hair 6-66. T. Horsch 8-72. King 8-31. R. Horsch 2-2. Staats 1-5. Total: 46-316. Well. — Ybarra 17-94. Fair 5-23, Jenkins 5(-27), Stallbaumer 2-(-54), Day 2-6, Baum 2-16, Lloyd 1-5. Total: 34-63.
Passing: Andale - King 2-5-24-2 Hattabaugh 0-5-0-1. Well: Jenkins 4-18-30-0.
Receiving: Andale - O’Hair 1-10, R. Horsch 1-14. Well. - Anderson 2-16, Ybarra 2-14, Fair 1-4.
Team stats: Wellington Andale
First downs 8 16
Rushing (yards) 63 316
Passing 30 24
Total offense 93 340
Penalties 2-10 8-60
Punts 3-45 1-41
Turnovers 3 3
