By LARRY MORITZ

Salina Journal

BROOKVILLE -- Life doesn't always give you a second chance, but some of the Ell-Saline Cardinals are getting one tonight.

The 2008 Ell-Saline football team had its unbeaten season end with a second-round loss to Ellis in the Class 2-1A playoffs. The Cardinals -- at least the returning players from last year's team -- will get another chance at the Railers when the two schools meet in another second-round contest at 6 p.m. today at the Ell-Saline High School field.

Ellis built a 22-0 halftime lead in last year's contest and was up 29-0 in the third quarter before Ell-Saline finally got on the board. By that time it was too late, and the Cardinals could not recover from six turnovers in a 36-8 loss.

"We didn't think we played up to our potential last year," said Ell-Saline junior J.P. Schneider. "We went up there with big heads and this year we know we have to come to play."

Perfect through 10 games a year ago, the Cardinals enter tonight's game knowing they are fallible. Ell-Saline's 8-2 record includes a runner-up finish in the Heart of America League, with its two losses coming against unbeaten Hutchinson Trinity and a 19-14 loss two weeks ago to Washington County.

That's the same Washington County team that Ellis defeated in the opening round of the playoffs on Tuesday, 54-20. The Railers are also 8-2, with their only losses coming against unbeatens Smith Center and Oakley.

"Given that we had a lot of players coming back and with a good offseason, our expectations were that we could be a good team this year," Ellis coach Butch Hayes said. "We knew this team would have potential and they've played well."

Ellis has reached the second round of the 2-1A playoffs for the fourth consecutive year and has twice reached the quarterfinals. Hayes is in his third season as Railers head coach, with the team 26-7 in that span.

This year's Ellis offense has been a bit more ground oriented after last year's quarterback, Chase King, threw for more than 1,000 yards in his senior season. Hayes' team averages nearly 280 yards rushing a game, led by Gideon Fuchs (1,122 yards, 14 touchdowns), Dylan Pfeifer (755, 4 TDs) and Jacob Kinderknecht (522, 11). Pfeifer had two touchdowns and Fuchs one in last year's victory over Ell-Saline.

Although they have cut down on their pass attempts, Kinderknecht has still thrown for 568 yards, with tight end Jared Herl (17 catches, 338 yards) his favorite target.

"We're a little different this year," Hayes said. "We had to replace Chase King, but Jacob has given us another threat in the running game. We're more of an option team now and both running backs are faster and stronger, so we're getting more big plays than last year."

The Cardinals have also put up some impressive offensive numbers this season. Ell-Saline quarterback Tate Omli and running backs Michael Haverfield and Cody Rietcheck are part of a balanced rushing attack -- Omli leads the team with 618 yards on the ground followed closely by Haverfield (549) and Rietcheck (492).

Omli also has thrown for 1,794 yards and 25 touchdowns, with Tyler Schulz (32 catches, 543 yards) and Payte Johnson (37, 536) his leading receivers.

"Omli is very impressive and he's a kid that we have to contain," Hayes said. "He has that big strike capability with his throwing, and then you throw in his running ability and we have to play sound defense and contain him in the pocket."

The Cardinals have been beset by injury problems since midseason, particularly on the offensive and defensive lines, but may be getting healthy at the right time.

"I don't feel like we've played anywhere close to where we could play if we put it all together," Ell-Saline coach Terry King said. "We haven't played to our potential yet.

"But we've been wanting to get back to this position for a year now, and we have a chance to play where we want to play."

The winner of tonight's game will advance to next week's 2-1A quarterfinals and will face either Elkhart (6-4) or Oakley (9-0). If Ell-Saline wins tonight, the Cardinals will be on the road next week regardless of the opponent. If Ellis wins tonight, the Railers would be at home if the opponent is Oakley, but would have to travel to Elkhart.

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