CHETOPA – Injuries often impact the game of football at any level – but particularly in the 6-Man division, where there are so few replacement players available.
And while Altoona-Midway’s new head coach, Tod Dutton, and his seven-man squad refused to use that as an excuse, it definitely had a bearing on the outcome for the Jets as they dropped a 25-12 decision to the Chetopa Hornets In the season opener for both Kansas 6-Man schools here Friday night.
Altoona-Midway was leading 12-6 midway in the third quarter and was driving down the field when senior Kage Beck was tackled and forced to the sideline. Beck, an all-district performer a year ago and one of just three returning lettermen for the Jets, was unable to factor in the remainder of the game.
“We had to rearrange our backfield on the fly, and the drive stalled out,” Dutton said.
Chetopa took full advantage of the opportunity and drove down the field for a touchdown to knot the game at 12-12.
In the fourth quarter, Jet freshman Zack Good was injured and had to exit the field, leaving AMHS with only five players for several plays. The Hornets were able to tack on two more touchdowns and an extra point to win the contest 25-12.
“Our four freshmen (Good, Caden Sicka, Oliver Salas, Karter Letterman) played most of the game, and two of those freshmen had not played football since they were in youth football,” Dutton noted. “But they all stepped up and did well.
“The three upperclassmen (senior Kenny Smith and sophomore Chance Carter, along with Beck) were great leaders for us, and I was super proud of the effort of each one of my players.”
The Jets opened the 2025 season with an impressive first-half performance.
Beck had a long return on the opening kickoff, and Carter capped off the opening drive with a rushing TD behind a good push from the offensive line, giving AMHS a 6-0 advantage.
The Jets increased that lead late in the second period. After a nice interception by the freshman Sicka, the Jets drove for another score. Beck’s 10-yard dash made it 12-0 with just 2:30 left in the half.
Chetopa managed a late touchdown to make it 12-6 at intermission.
Beck was the leading rusher for Altoona-Midway, rambling for 112 yards on 12 carries. Carter churned out 47 yards on 14 attempts, and Sicka rushed the ball six times for 27 yards.
The Jets attempted just two passes in the contest, and both fell incomplete.
Carter led a nice defensive effort by the Jets with 11 solo tackles and two assisted, while Sicka recorded seven solo stops and one assist to go along with his interception.
Good totaled seven tackles, four of them unassisted. The Jets also got six tackles from Beck and one from Letterman.
No statistics or scoring plays for Chetopa were available.
“We have an off week next week, and then the following week we have another road game against Southern Coffey County,” Dutton noted. “I was grateful for the support of Coach Houchin and the support of the parents and staff.”
The Jets have a bye week next Friday. On Thursday, Sept. 18, they travel to Leroy to face SCCHS. The game against the Titans was moved to Thursday due to a shortage of referees across the state of Kansas.