By MIKE COURSON
Great Bend Post
On paper, No. 5 Great Bend was a clear favorite against a Wichita North squad that entered Friday's game at Memorial Stadium without a win since 2018 (52 straight) and has been outscored 203-6 in three games this season. Still, the Panthers had to prove they were the better team on the field for Homecoming. They did just that, scoring 35 points in the first quarter en route to a 61-7 win.
North took the ball first. Panther senior Brody Schnoebelen helped end that drive in negative yardage with a sack. On the first play following the first Redhawks punt, senior Jace Schartz ran 55 yards to the house for a quick 7-0 Panther lead.
North moved near midfield on the ensuing kick and picked up a first down, but the second Redhawk drive came to an abrupt end as senior Aiden Davidson and Schnoebelen got into the backfield to force a fumble. Junior Trent Kern scooped up the loose ball and ran 28 yards to the end zone for a 14-0 Great Bend lead less than five minutes in.
The Redhawks again moved backwards on their next possession. On the first play after the second North punt, junior Hayden Kelly broke free for a 36-yard touchdown run. The Panther lead grew to 21-0 with 4:59 still to play in the first quarter.
Another Schnoebelen sack ended the next North drive with more negative yards. Following a punt, junior Daxton Minton skipped the ball backwards to sophomore Cooper Ohnmacht, who completed a 39-yard touchdown pass to Kelly. On the next North drive, junior Jacob Hall grabbed a late pitch attempt in midair and ran 15 yards to the end zone for a 35-0 Panther lead with 2:31 left in the opening frame.
Minton hit Ohnmacht for a 28-yard touchdown pass early in the third quarter. Minton capped a 4-play drive with a 31-yard run midway through the second for the 48-0 lead Great Bend carried into the half.
Schartz capped a big night with a 91-yard touchdown run in the third quarter. He took his two carries on the night for 146 yards and two scores. North scored its second touchdown of the season on a short pass play with 4:05 to play in the third quarter with a running clock. Panther junior Ian Premer ran the ensuing kick 90 yards to the house to end scoring on the night.
Great Bend (4-0) opens Western Athletic Conference play next Friday in Dodge City.