Moving On: Wallace Defeats Southwest, Gets a Rematch With Garden County in the Semifinals
On Friday, November 6, 2026, the Class D6 NSAA State Football Playoffs moved into its second round. It was a rematch from earlier this season, as #2-seeded Wallace went to #10-seeded Southwest. Earlier this season, these two teams met in Bartley, and Wallace won, 20-13. On this night, Wallace won again, advancing to the semifinals with a 56-28 win.
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Wallace began with the ball, and after a long run by Tyson Sullivan, they fumbled it as Brody Hammond ripped the ball loose it out right before Ashtin Johns went down. Southwest took over on their own 36- yard line
No harm was done, though, as Southwest went three-and-out and punted the ball away. Wallace took possession and then drove down the field a couple of plays. Then Colt Franklin ran it in from 37 yards away for a touchdown. The extra-point attempt was good, and it was 8-0 with 6:40 to go in the first quarter.
The Roughriders answered with a score of their own when Brody Hammond found Deric Kelley on a 16-yard pass on fourth down for a touchdown. The extra point was no good, and Wallace led 8-6 with 3:38 to go in the first quarter.
Ashtin Johns scored for Wallace on the first play of the next drive with a 65-yard run. The extra point kick was good, and it was 16-6 with 3:25 to go in the first quarter.
It was 16-6 going into the second quarter.
Following a fourth-down stand by the Wildcats, they drove down the field and scored again. This time, Colt Franklin threw a 5-yard pass to Ashtin Johns. The extra point kick was good by Tobin Pelster once again, and it was 24-6 with 8:18 to go in the first half
The Roughriders drove again, but the drive came to a screeching halt when Brody Hammond threw an interception, and Tobin Pelster took it at the 15-yard line for Wallace.
Ashtin Johns scored two plays later, running it in from 61 yards away. It was 30-6 with 4:02 to go in the first half.
Southwest used their timeouts to get the ball back with just under 3:00 to go in the half. Southwest capitalized on the time management. Jacob Barber had a nice return, and then the Roughriders got a couple of nice runs. Barber then ran it in from 24 yards away, and the extra point kick was good. It was 30-14 with 1:54 to go before halftime.
After a Southwest possession, Wallace got the ball back before halftime. They ran the ball once, and it looked like they were content to head to halftime. But then they ran a halfback pass as Tyson Sullivan hit Colt Franklin for a 40-yard touchdown. The extra point was good, and it was 38-14 with 0:07 to go before halftime.
That was the score heading to halftime.
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Wallace capitalized on offense, with Tyson Sullivan running it in from 25 yards away. The conversion kick was no good, and it was 44-14, with 7:20 to go in the third.
Wallace extended the lead at the 1:45 mark in the third quarter as Tyson Sullivan ran it in from 4 yards away. The extra point kick was no good, and it was 50-14.
After an interception by Micah Garrison, Tyson Sullivan took a pitch to the left side, gained a few yards, and then fumbled it, but Tobin Pelster picked it up and ran it in from around midfield. The extra point kick was no good, and it was 56-14 with 15 seconds to go in the third.
That was the score heading into the fourth quarter.
Southwest scored early in the quarter when Brody Hammond found Deric Kelley on a five-yard pass for a touchdown. The extra point was no good, and it was 56-20 with 8:09 to go.
Southwest continued to compete hard, scoring from 35 yards out when Deric Kelley ran it in. The extra point was good, and it was 56-28 with 1:26 to go, and that was the final score of the game.
Southwest ends their season with a record of 6-4.
Wallace improves to 9-1 and will face #3 Garden County next Friday, November 13th. The Wildcats fell to the Eagles on September 17th, 42-16.
Once stats are available, we will update this article.
We chatted with Ashtin Johns after Wallace's win. Interviews are brought to you by Acme Printing Company.
Check out the highlights from the game -- Brought to you by Prairie Girl Candle Company
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