By Rich Winter

605 Sports

HILL CITY — When Bon Homme freshman Ethan Wagner scored on a one-yard plunge late in the third quarter Thursday, Hill City’s run in the Class 9AA playoffs appeared to be in jeopardy. Leading the entire game, a now 27-20 lead looked precarious as momentum had completely shifted to the Cavaliers. 

That momentum flipped on the ensuing kickoff as Caleb Sobolik fielded the kick at full speed, The junior cut left, waited for his blockers then turned on the jets for a 75-yard kick return that helped the Rangers to a 41-20 win in the first round of the Class 9AA playoffs. 

“I practice fielding kicks like that every day,” Sobolik said. “I saw a seam and there were a couple of really good blocks, especially one from Devin (Buehler) that sealed the corner and I just took off from there.” 

Senior Devin Buehler finished with three passing touchdowns and two rushing touchdowns as the Rangers advanced to next week’s Class 9AA quarterfinals where the Rangers will host Freeman/Marion/Freeman Academy. 

Hill City hadn’t been to the playoffs since 2013 and Buehler soaked up every second of the celebration from his team and the Hill CIty fans that lingered long after the game was over. 

“I’ve been going to these games since I was in Kindergarten and it’s awesome to see the community come out,” he said. “I love this town and it’s so awesome to bring playoff football here. Let’s play another week, we have next weekend. I’m so excited I can’t wait.”

On one of the first chilly nights of the football season, both teams, especially Bon Homme, were plagued by turnovers. The Cavaliers fumbled on their first offensive possession and the Rangers offense pounced with Buehler hitting Brensen Veneklasen with a 12-yard strike for a touchdown and a 7-0 lead. 

While Hill City is explosive, Bon Homme is a run-first offense that likes to grind. The Cavaliers used that running attack for a long drive that culminated in an 11-yard touchdown pass from Ethan Wagner to Isaiah Crownover. The extra-point failed and the Rangers led 7-6 as the second-quarter began. 

Buehler scored on a nine-yard run, then hit Venekelsen for a ten-yard touchdown pass and a 20-6 lead. In a quarter that showcased Buehler’s legs and arm, the senior ripped off a 35-yard run that gave Hill City a 27-6 lead with 5:28 remaining in the half. 

Bon Homme’s Major Aarstad scored on a short touchdown run with seconds remaining in the half as the Cavaliers trailed 27-14 at intermission. 

“This is the first big playoff game for any of these boys and you could see some nerves,” Brett Eckert said. “Bon Homme is a really good team and they kind of put some pressure on us when we were up 14 points.” 

Following Sobolik’s kick return the Rangers got their final score on the board when Buehler hit his favorite receiver Zane Messick with a 75-yard touchdown pass. All night long the Rangers moved the chains with Buehler and Messick connecting on mostly short and intermediate routes. On the long touchdown, Buehler looked left, pump-faked right and then hit Messick in stride for the final score of the night.

“Zane runs his routes hard at practice every day,” Buehler said. “I know his tendencies and know what he’s going to do and I know where he wants the ball. He’s a playmaker also and that kid is an athlete that just makes me look good.” 

The Cavaliers finished with five turnovers, the Rangers with just two. Eckert said Thursday’s playoff win wasn’t the prettiest game of the year but a game his team needed. 

“To have some adversity and be in a pressure game is exactly what we needed,” he said. “The truth is, and we told them this, but playoff football games are going to be close and they are going to be hard fought.”