The Sabetha Bluejays football team opened the postseason in commanding fashion with a 48-0 win over the Humboldt Cubs on a chilly Thursday, Oct. 30, night at home.

The visiting Cubs battled injuries throughout their season, but Sabetha refused to take them lightly.

“We wanted to keep our focus and energy up all week in practice and knew it would give us an edge for the game,” said senior Kayl Murray.

Sabetha wasted no time setting the tone. After starting at midfield on their opening drive, the Bluejays needed just three plays before senior running back Will Voos busted through the defense for a 47-yard touchdown.

Humboldt’s offense spread the field with multiple wideouts and trick plays, but the Cubs could never find the end zone. Sabetha’s defense dominated from the opening snap.

On the first play of the Bluejays’ second possession, it was déjà vu for the home crowd as Voos broke several tackles and sprinted 58 yards for his second score. His night was short but spectacular, 105 rushing yards and two touchdowns on just three carries before the coaches gave other players a chance to shine.

Defensively, Sabetha overwhelmed Humboldt with multiple tackles for loss and big plays. Junior defensive end Micah Lang perfectly read a pass, picked it off, and rumbled 26 yards for a touchdown to make it 21-0 late in the first quarter.

Moments later, junior Lincoln Menold stripped the ball and recovered the fumble at the Cubs’ 24-yard line. One play later, his cousin senior Cole Menold bounced outside for another Bluejay touchdown, stretching the lead to 28-0.

Humboldt pieced together a few completions on their next drive, but the Bluejays’ defense stood tall on the fourth down to force a turnover on downs. Lang immediately went deep on the next play, connecting with junior Jack Frazee for a 56-yard gain. A few plays later, C. Menold found the end zone again.

Lang added to his own highlight reel with a 41-yard quarterback keeper that set up another short touchdown run. That gave him both an offensive and defensive touchdown on the night.

Before halftime, Humboldt tried to change momentum with a halfback pass, but Sabetha sophomore Colin Montgomery intercepted it to preserve a 42-0 lead heading into the break.

With a running clock in the second half, sophomore quarterback Daniel Garber bootlegged away from the defense and turned up field for a 29-yard rushing touchdown to cap Sabetha’s scoring.

Senior Kayl Murray, who contributed in all three phases of the game, reflected on what Sabetha football means to him:

“This has all been a huge part of my life,” Murray said. “Being part of this team is a feeling unlike anything else because I always know I have people I can count on.”

The younger Bluejays closed out the second half, as starters cheered them on from the sideline. With the dominant win, Sabetha advances to the next round of the Class 2A playoffs, where they will face Silver Lake at 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 7, in Silver Lake.

“Silver Lake is a good football team that will stretch you on the defensive side of the ball,” said Head Coach Kaleb Moeller. “We need to play physical football, and I know our team is up for the challenge.”