Axtell won their 33rd consecutive game in a row in what is now the longest active winning streak in the state of Kansas. The top-ranked Eagles dominated the #4 Frankfort Wildcats in a 46-0 mercy rule victory.

On the opening drive of the game, Brandon Schmelzle ran it five consecutive times for 60 yards, which was capped off by a ten-yard touchdown.

Frankfort tried to quickly respond as they went for it on 4th & 5 from their own 21-yard line, but they failed to convert. Fortunately for them, the Wildcats’ defense forced a fumble on the very next play to get the ball right back.

Frankfort couldn’t capitalize on the turnover, though, and Axtell made them pay with Eli Broxterman getting his first touchdown of the day with a 13-yard touchdown run.

Frankfort was on the move on their next drive with Carter Olson catching a 39-yard pass from Wes Anderson to get them into the redzone.

However, just like last week in their win against Hanover, the Axtell defense was able to turn the opposing offense over in their lone trip in the redzone.

Axtell was able to respond with a fourth-down conversion of their own in the redzone. Wyatt Detweiler received a pitch from Schmelzle, and he threw it to Grady Buessing in the endzone for the score.

The Eagles’ defense kept their foot on the gas with a quick three-and-out which led to Broxterman’s second touchdown of the day with a one-yard receiving touchdown with 1:18 left in the first half to make it 28-0.

Just when it looked like the Wildcats had one last chance to score before the break, Axtell got their first takeaway of the night with Landon Schmitz getting a pick that was through the hands of a Frankfort receiver.

They quickly went down the field and scored with seven seconds left. Broxterman got his third score with this one being a five-yard receiving touchdown.

To open the second half, Axtell got a quick stop, and converted that into yet another score with Broxterman getting his fourth touchdown. He caught a dump-off pass on a 3rd & 20 and made a handful of Wildcat tacklers miss en route to a 46-yard receiving touchdown.

On the next possession, Axtell got their second and final takeaway of the night with Rilyn Buessing sealing the game with an 18-yard interception return for a touchdown.

Schmelzle went 15-for-17 for 176 yards and three touchdowns with 19 carries and 123 rushing yards and a touchdown.

Broxterman had six receptions for 73 yards and three touchdowns with two carries, 21 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown.

Both earned Player of the Game honors brought to you by Farmers State Bank.

Axtell improves to 7-0 overall and 4-0 in district play. A win over Doniphan West in Week 8 would secure the district title and the Twin Valley League 8-Man title.

As for Frankfort, they fall to 5-2 and 3-1 in district play. They finish their regular season with a game at Hanover next week with the hopes of still having a home playoff game in Week 9.