Saturday, Nov. 14, 2009

Starling tough to stop in Trailblazers' rout

On Gardner Edgerton's first offensive series, junior quarterback Bubba Starling routinely slipped out of tackles, darted away from defenders and accumulated 75 rushing yards.

Most importantly, he capped the game's opening drive with a 57-yard touchdown run that combined equal parts speed and elusiveness.

So it went for Starling and his Gardner Edgerton teammates in a 56-21 victory against Topeka-Seaman on Friday night in a Kansas 5A quarterfinal playoff game.

Starling led the Trailblazers' offensive attack with a school-record 284 yards on 16 carries, including four touchdowns to lead Gardner Edgerton into the state semifinals.

He ran for touchdowns of 66, 57, 42 and 15 yards, and added 101 yards passing.

“He's fast,” Gardner Edgerton coach Marvin Diener said. “That's what he is. Besides being strong and elusive, he is fast. There ain't no substitute for speed.”

Starling, who topped 1,000 yards both rushing and passing for the second straight season, was certainly the game's highlight reel, but he also received plenty of help.

Gardner Edgerton running backs Brett Jensen and Ryan Weber each accounted for two touchdowns, including a 3-yard score by Weber set up by a blocked punt.

The Trailblazers' defenders did their job, too.

After surrendering a 63-yard touchdown by Seaman quarterback Jacob Hurla, Gardner Edgerton's defense buckled down.

The Vikings crossed midfield just once in the first half after their early touchdown and were held by Gardner Edgerton to three three-and-outs in the first two quarters.

“Defensively, we gave up that one big play in the first half,” Diener said. “Other than that, they really took control of the game.”

And The Trailblazers certainly didn't allow Seaman to hang around too long Friday night.

Gardner Edgerton scored the final 28 points of the half to head into the locker room with a comfortable 35-7 lead.

Kansas 5A state quarterfinals

GARDNER EDGERTON 56, SEAMAN 21

SEA (6-5) 7 0 0 14 — 21

GE (11-0) 21 14 14 7 — 56

Scoring summary

First quarter

GE: Bubba Starling 56 run (Chase Lee kick)

SEA: Jacob Hurla 63 run (Tyler Lutz kick)

GE: Tanner Webb 1 run (Lee kick)

GE: Starling 42 run (Lee kick)

Second quarter

GE: Starling 15 run (Lee kick)

GE: Ryan Weber 3 run (Lee kick)

Third quarter

GE: Brett Jensen 4 run (Lee kick)

GE: Chris McKenzie 66 run (Lee kick)

Fourth quarter

SEA: Jordan James 31 pass from Hurla (Lutz kick)

GE: Jensen 5 run (Lee kick)

SEA: Butch Rea 1 run (Lutz kick)

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