Over the past 15 years, two things have defined Buhler football: Coach Kohl’s defense, which always seems to keep the Crusaders in the game, and a steady supply of tough, effective tailbacks.
Names like Sam Elliot, Ben Scott and Dillion Engellend have been etched into the Crusader record books. But not since Riley Allen has Coach Steve Warner had a home-run threat quite like Landon Martinez. On Friday night, Martinez showed exactly why he belongs in that conversation.
In a 62-0 rout of Circle, Martinez carried the ball 12 times for 246 yards and five touchdowns—all in the first half. Quarterback Asher Zachary attempted just two passes. When your tailback is averaging 20.5 yards per carry, the play-calling philosophy becomes pretty simple: feed him the rock.
Circle ran twice as many plays as Buhler in the first half and still went into the locker room trailing 48-0. The Crusaders’ first-team offense scored those 48 points on just 17 plays, while the defense delivered another shutout including a McCade Zachary pick 6.
The victory sends Buhler into the next round of the Class 4A playoffs and sets up a rematch with perennial power Great Bend. Despite handing the Crusaders one of their two losses this season, Great Bend will travel to Buhler on Friday because of the KSHSAA seeding system.
Buhler will need another strong defensive effort and more fireworks from Martinez to keep its playoff run alive.
I wouldn’t bet against it!
