Record Score for Kansas High School

Oct. 31, 2007 — -- Smith Center, Kan., the hometown of film legend Roscoe "Fatty" Arbuckle, apparently boasts more than simply outsized silent-film comedians.

In what's believed to be a new record, the Smith Center High School football team scored a whopping 72 points in the first quarter against rival team Plainville, and went on to an 86-0 victory Tuesday night.

The Redmen's 72 points is believed to be the record for most points scored by a high school team in a single quarter, according to the Salinas Kansas Journal. The defending state champion, Smith Center has rolled to a 9-0 record so far this season, all shutouts.

They have outscored opponents 640-0, with an earlier 69-0 win over the same Plainville team they played Tuesday night, according to The Associated Press.

"It happened so quickly. It wasn't really something we were thinking about whatsoever," Smith Center Principal Greg Koelsch told ABC News.

Though most media coverage has painted the 12-minute, 72-point grab as a trouncing or triumph, the tenor of the Redmen's response is anything but celebratory. "Our coaches do a good job of keeping things humble, keeping the boys humble," said Koelsch. "At no point do we wish [to] run up the score on anyone. We're not looking at this like, 'We stuck it to them.'"

Head coach Roger Bartha has been at Smith Center for more then 30 years, according to residents.

"He keeps it simple," said Jack Krier, editor and publisher of the Smith County Pioneer newspaper. "The team runs on almost every play, everyone knows it's coming, but no one can stop them. They only throw the ball once or twice a game, usually for a touchdown," Krier added. "Opponents stack 11 guys on the line to try and stop the run, but they can't."

In Tuesday's first-quarter glut of points, the Redmen were mainly able to capitalize on Plainville's several turnovers, running three interceptions in for a touchdown, Koelsch said.