The Axtell football team opened the 2019 high school football playoffs in a big way Thursday night dominating from start to finish in a 52-0 shutout of Lakeside which ended at halftime.

The Eagles scored on every offensive possession of the first half and even had a blocked punt by George Volle recovered for a touchdown.

Lakeside had their best drive on their opening possession taking nearly half of the first quarter clock away before eventually turning the ball over on downs and that’s when the track meet started for the Axtell offensive.

The Eagles needed just 40 seconds and five plays for their first touchdown as senior quarterback Quinn Buessing found the end zone from three yards out and tacked on the 2-point conversion to jump on top 8-0.

Axtell forced a three-and-out on Lakeside’s next possession and took advantage once again with Buessing finding senior wideout Derek Buessing on a 6-yard strike to push the lead up to 16-0.

Lakeside fumbled on the ensuing kickoff and the Eagles again scored quickly, this time on a 2-yard pass from Quinn Buessing to Mitchell Buessing and the rout was on with Axtell up 22-0.

On Lakeside’s next possession Quinn Buessing racked up an interception and just four plays later Buessing got loose on a 49-yard touchdown run to make it 30-0.

From there Volle had the blocked punt, Derek Buessing ran for a 42-yard touchdown and Isaac Detweiler ran for a 4-yard touchdown to cap off the scoring.

The Eagles scored quickly all night long with their longest drive lasting just 1 minute, 42 seconds while they averaged just 58 seconds per drive and defensively held Lakeside to just 64 total yards of offense.

Quinn Buessing had a big night with two touchdowns passing, two more rushing and 97 yards on the ground while Derek Buessing added 67 yards on the ground on only two carries and a score while recording a receiving touchdown as well.

Axtell (8-1) will now hit the road for round two of the playoffs next week traveling to Beloit-St. John/Tipton who the Eagles beat back in week one 58-12.