Burwell's 10 rushing TDs stop Trojan 10-win streak

Cambridge senior quarterback Paxton Ross (above) runs around the final Burwell defender that could stop his opening 16-yard touchdown run in Tuesday’s Class D-1 state quarterfinal at Burwell. Ross produced 673 total yards, but the Trojans never led after this 6-0 start about two minutes into the game.

R.B. Headley/McCook Gazette

BURWELL, Neb. — It’s not often that 534 passing yards to one results in one final tough defeat.

Hats off to old-school Burwell Longhorn football.

Even a conservative Republican must admit the Longhorns ran wilder and more effectively than Rush Limbaugh's talker during election season.

Cambridge’s Ethan McArthur made a great effort to make this first-half reception in front of a Longhorn. McArthur later made a 38-yard TD catch despite an arm injury. The Longhorns will host Dundy County-Stratton on Monday.

R.B. Headley/McCook Gazette

The Longhorns rarely sent a football flying — except for one late punt and final PAT kick that capped their 71-48 playoff win over D-1 West No. 1 Cambridge on Tuesday.

They unleashed top rusher Jace Williams to what many would lovel for their season totals: 341 rush yards, six touchdowns and 7.8 yards per carry.

The Trojans (10-1 final record) delivered plenty of answers especially during a 30-26 first half.

Senior quarterback Paxton Ross totaled an incredible 673 yards (139 rushing) and ran 16 to the game’s first TD.

When Burwell (9-2) blasted in front 14-6, he found all-time favorite target Deryk Huxoll for a 30-yard score.

Huxoll followed his 27th TD reception with one two-point catch that made it 14-14.

Williams’ three-yard TD only preceded aperfect “over the top” 29 yard Ross-Huxoll connection.

Huxoll raced behind the last Longhorn while Ross dropped a perfect throw into his hands.

The Trojans apparently caught Burwell again at 22, but a holding penalty erased this next two-point play.

Defenders deflected the next attempt from 10 yards farther away and — amazingly — Burwell never let the Trojans draw even again.

Williams’ 34-yard rumble around end formed the first real Longhorn breathing room at 30-20.

Cambridge answered again on Ross’ one-yard run right off tackle, then Huxoll actually picked off a rare Longhorn pass to prevent another score before halftime.

However, a 22-8 third quarter put playoff-tested Burwell in control.

Williams went 21 yards and fellow Longhorn rumbler Caleb Bush (nine carries, 123 yards) covered 37 as the big bright Burwell scoreboard now read 44-26.

Darkness was falling when Ross found junior Ethan McArthur with one more terrific 38-yard TD pass.

McArthur completed the catch even though he was clearly battling an arm injury.

Dahlton Wood’s two-point catch closed Cambridge within 44-34.

The Trojans simply couldn’t stop a relentless rush attack from scoring again.

Williams smashed in from two yards with another PAT making it 52-34. The Longhorns finally punted on their next possession.

Yet Busch added four and 39-yard TDs to counter two final six-pointers from Ross (one, two-yard runs).

Clayton Sayer’s 61-yard pass reception set up the final Trojan TD of 2019. Burwell now hosts Dundy County-Stratton n Monday’s semifinal.

Cambridge leaders from this season finale.

Passing: Paxton Ross 23 comps.-46 atts.-534 yards-3 TDs-1 Int.

Receiving: Deryk Huxoll 12 catches-256 yards-2 TDs; Ethan McArthur 4-80-1 TD; Dahlton Wood 2-69, CJ Fiene 4-68, Clayton Sayer 1-61.

Rushing: Paxton Ross 26 carries-139 yards-1 TD, Sayer 2-13, McArthur 1-2, Wyatt Ervin 1-1.

Tackling: Paxton Ross 7.5 (4 solos-7 assists), Monty Farr 6.5 (2 solos-9 assists), McArthur 6 (4 solos-4 assists), Wood 5.5 (2 solos-7 assists), CJ Fiene 4.5 (1 solo-7 assists), Huxoll 3 (1 solo-4 assist).