By GARRETT WELLBROCK
Tiger Media Network
HILL CITY – Hill City’s postseason surge shows no signs of slowing. The Ringnecks extended their winning streak to nine games Friday night, dismantling Oxford 50-0 in the regional round of the 8-Man Division I playoffs to advance to this week’s quarterfinals.
From the outset, Hill City (9-1) dominated on both sides of the ball. After forcing a three-and-out on Oxford’s opening series, senior Tyler Ashbaugh returned a punt 70 yards to the 5-yard line and punched it in on the next play for an early 8-0 lead. Quarterback Tate Balthazor added a rushing touchdown later in the first quarter to make it 14-0, and the Ringnecks never looked back.
Hill City Head Coach Travis Desbien, whose team has now scored 46 or more points in nine straight games, credited his experienced senior group for maintaining focus throughout the season.
“We’ve got a bunch of seniors who have been in big games before,” Desbien said before the matchup. “They’ve handled adversity well, and they understand what it takes to win this time of year. We’ve tried to take it one game at a time, each week matters.”
The Ringnecks erupted for 30 points in the second quarter to blow the game open. Ashbaugh connected with Balthazor on a trick-play touchdown pass, Balthazor found Jaxson Smith twice for 27-yard scores, and Ryan Budig added a 1-yard run to make it 44-0 by halftime.
Hill City’s defense was equally dominant, limiting Oxford (7-2) to just 62 total yards and forcing three turnovers. The Wildcats’ high-powered rushing attack, which had averaged nearly 50 points per game, was shut down completely. Oxford’s standout running back Logan Gaither managed only 18 yards after rushing for 272 the previous week.
Hill City Athletic Director Alan Stein praised both the preparation and physicality of the Ringneck defense.
“Coach Desbien and his staff have done a great job with this team,” Stein said. “The defense flies to the football, and that front line has been really strong. Offensively, they’ve been able to establish the run and control the pace of games.”
Balthazor delivered one of his most complete performances of the season, totaling 117 passing yards with two touchdown throws, one rushing score, and even a receiving touchdown on the trick play. Smith finished with 117 yards and two touchdowns through the air, while Ashbaugh scored three times and recovered a fumble.
The mercy-rule victory was sealed early in the third quarter when Ashbaugh broke free for a 16-yard score, capping a statement win that lasted just over two quarters.
Hill City’s latest performance sets up one of the state’s most anticipated rematches: a quarterfinal showdown with unbeaten Trego (10-0), the team that handed the Ringnecks their only loss of the season – a 30-20 defeat in Week 1.
“We’ve come a long way since that first game,” Desbien said. “The guys have grown, we’ve tightened things up defensively, and we’re playing our best football when it matters most.”
With their offense humming and defense peaking, Hill City is one win away from returning to the state semifinals for the first time since 2022.