Cheney and Andale renewed their rivalry in a pivotal district matchup in Class 3A on Friday at Cardinal Stadium in Cheney.
The matchup was a battle of the top-two ranked teams in the class, with the Indians ranked first and the Cardinals second. The No. 1-ranked Indians led throughout, extending their winning streak to 31 with a 34-25 victory.
Both teams committed a turnover on their first drives. After an interception by Holden Ferralez, it took Andale two plays to score with Jayven Dansel scoring on an 18-yard run with 5:58 left in the first quarter
The Indians extended their lead to 14-0 on a 14-play drive that went 97 yards, with Cruz Kaiser finishing the drive with a 1-yard touchdown.
Cheney responded with a 3-yard touchdown pass to Sam Johnson from Ferralez. Andale responded to go up 20-7 with Dansel scoring from eight yards out with 1:07 left. Right before half, the Cardinals pulled back within a score with Ferralez finding Gus Moreland for an 8-yard touchdown.
The Cardinals got the ball back to start the second half looking to tie the game, but fumbled on their sixth play of the drive. Andale then went 3-and-out and flipped the field, pinning the Cardinals at their own 22. Cheney went 3-and-out, and then four plays later on fourth and 3 from the Andale 48, Dansel found the end zone for a third time with a 52-yard touchdown.
Andale got some separation late in the fourth quarter when Dansel found Brayden Spexarth for an 18-yard touchdown reception with 4:41 left. Cheney didn’t give up despite being down 21 points, getting a 2-yard touchdown pass by Morehead from Ferralez with 2:08 to play. The Cardinals elected for an onside kick, but Andale was able to recover. The Indians gave Cheney one last opportunity with the football after a turnover on downs. With no time on the clock, Ferralez threw to Quaid Thomas for a 44-yard touchdown.
Kaiser rushed for 156 yards on 18 carries and a score, while Dansel added 113 yards on 13 carries and three scores. Ferralez went 28-for-43 for 359 yards and four touchdowns, with Johnson being his top target with 12 receptions for 110 yards and a touchdown.
Andale (5-0) will host Wichita Trinity Academy next Friday, while Cheney (4-1) will travel to Wichita Collegiate.
