Ipswich/Edmunds Central upended Britton-Hecla 52-0 via the mercy rule in a Class 9A high school football play-off outcome last Friday in Ipswich.

The win sends the Tigers into the next round on Thursday to face Warner in Warner at 7 p.m. The Monarchs easily handled North Border in their 9A opener. Warner had edged the Tigers 25-24 in a regular-season clash, so the Tigers are definitely hoping to avenge that narrow loss.

"Anytime you are able to get into the second round of the playoffs you expect for it to be a good game," said Coach Brian Hogie.

Meanwhile I/EC scored early and often against the Braves. The scoreboard lit up with a 10-yard Carson Gohl run and conversion pass from Ian Beyers to #36 Eric Severson.

Then Luke Peterson got the first of his three TD runs on a 15-yard scamper to paydirt and Gohl added a conversion carry for a 16-0 edge with 4:19 left in the opening quarter.

The Tigers then added a touchdown pass from Ian Beyers to Carter Geditz that covered 13 yards. The PAT try failed leaving I/EC with a comfortable 22-0 lead. They would add 28 more points in the first half to lead 46-0 at the break. They added their final six points to assure the convincing shutout (a 22-yard run by Matt Hettich).

Luke Peterson's three TD runs were included in his 116-yards rushing total and Gohl was next with 85 yards, including that initial TD. Matt Hettich added 77 rushing yards, featuring two touchdown carries. Ian Beyers gained 16 yards on the ground and Kaden Hix contributed one carry for five yards. (Altogether that totaled 299 yards on 34 hikes and six ground TDs.)

QB Ian Beyers was 6-10 passing with two TD throws. (The second was to Matt Hettich, our leading receiver with three receptions for 79 yards.) Altogether the I/EC QB totaled 101 aerial yards.

The team totaled 31 tackles - 18 solo and 13 assisted. The balanced effort was led by Luke Peterson with three solos and two assists. Matt Hettich added two of each for his four. Gohl and Luke Peterson each had a sack. The visitors were held to 12 yards passing and -25 on the ground and no first downs while the Tigers compiled 10 first downs.

The victory improved the Tigers' record to 7-2 pending their Thursday visit to unbeaten Warner.