The Conway Springs Cardinals football team continued to march toward a repeat appearance in the Class 1A State championship, with a convincing 35-6 win over the visiting Plainville Cadinals last Friday.

Conway Springs followed the same formula offensively as it has all season while building an 11-0 record – block well up front, and keep giving the ball to Isaac Winter with plenty of support from its other ball carriers. Winter and Grant Fisher scored two touchdowns each, and Levi Mies added a score. Winter gained 187 of the Cardinals’ 372 rushing yards, while Logan Osner ran for 87 and Fisher added 78. They averaged 7.6 yards per carry, and gained 18 first downs compared to 12 for Plainville. Conway Springs threw the ball just once, a 4-yard completion from Eli Benge to Fisher.

Winter put Conway Springs ahead 7-0 with a 1-yard touchdown in the first quarter. Fisher padded the lead in the second quarter with both of his scores, on runs of 17 and 16 yards, to give Conway Springs a 21-0 halftime lead. Winter scored from 6 yards out in the third quarter, and Mies had a 3-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter. Plainville’s lone touchdown came late in the game while trailing 35-0.

“That was one of the most complete games we’ve put together this season,” said Conway Springs head coach Matt Biehler. “Our special teams have really come on. We had some injuries to overcome. Our line has really solidified itself.”

Biehler points out that that special teams were very good on Friday, making every point-after attempt.

Plainville was able to move the ball at times, running for 173 yards and passing for 76. But Plainville struggled on key downs, going 2-for-9 on third down and converting just one of four fourthdown tries. Conway Springs was 6-for-10 on third downs.

There was only one turnover, a Plainville fumble that was recovered by Osner. Ranger Reep led the team with 7 tackles, Osner had 6, and Fisher and Cooper Koster added 5 each.

Conway Springs also dominated time of possession, 23:58 to 16:31.

Plainville’s defense presented multiple formations, which Conway Springs adapted to.

“The kids did a great job all week of preparing. And we were physical up front and cotrolled the line of scrimmage,” Biehler said.

A key moment in the game was Conway Springs making a huge defensive stop on fourth down with Plainville at the Conway Springs 1-yard line, with Plainville looking to score and cut its deficit to 14-7.

Instead, Conway Springs then marched 99 yards on six plays to go ahead 21-0.

“That was a huge turning point,” Biehler said.

Conway Springs has won its three playoff games by an average of 25 points per game, which is on par with two of the remaining three teams, Rossville (26.67) and Centralia (23.33).

The remaining team is the Valley Heights Mustangs, which is Conway Springs’ opponent this Friday. The Mustangs have won their playoff games by an average of 18 points. Valley Heights High School is located between Blue Rapids and Waterville in north-central Kansas.

Valley Heights is 9-2.

The Mustangs’ losses were to Centralia in Week 1, and to Marion on Oct. 25.

Conway Springs beat Marion two weeks ago. Valley Heights defeated Sterling and Medicine Lodge in its most recent playoff games.

This will be the Cardinals’ first-ever game against Valley Heights. The Mustangs fire off the ball quickly, and are physical running the ball, and have come on strong in the playoffs. They like to control the line of scrimmage, Biehler said.

“They want to be similar to us, get into third and short,” he said. “Our defense has to get them off the field quickly.”

It will be an early kickoff at 6 p.m.