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Photo Credit: Beth Fox/Special to PrepsKC

Odessa knew what it was going to get from Savannah on Saturday during the Class 3 quarterfinals at Bulldog Stadium.

What the Bulldogs didn’t take into account was the punch they received just five minutes into the game, during their 53-31 win.

Facing a second-and-11 from its own 28-yard line, Savannah coach Randy Schrader called on his senior quarterback Chase Spooneman to make a play.

Spooneman took the snap and scrambled to left and found a wide-open Noah Bodenhausen at the 50-yard line. Bodenhausen eluded several would-be tacklers before crossing the goal line 72 yards later. 

“They are tough to tackle,” Odessa coach Mark Thomas said of Savannah’s skill position players. “If you miss tackles, they can hurt you.”

Odessa wasted no time responding, as they went on nine play, 60-yard drive that took three minutes off the clock as Luke Malizzi scored his 24th touchdown of the season with an 8-yard run up the gut.

Savannah’s ensuing drive appeared to stall at Odessa’s 33, but on fourth-and-3, Spooneman took matters into his own hands as he picked up the first down with a 24-yard run. Two plays later, Spooneman found the end zone with 6-yard run.

Like it has done all season, Odessa tried to get its rushing attack going. Unable to do so, Thomas put the ball in the hands of his quarterback, Josey Meierarend.

Meierarend, who came into the game completing 70 percent of his passes, showed why on the Bulldogs’ next drive.

After picking up a key first down, Meierarend connected with Elijh D’Obron from 22 yards out.

“When he (Meierarend) plays well it gives so much confidence to the rest of our team,” Thomas said. “His teammates … every kid on that team loves him. He such a humble young man. He’s quite a football player.”

After the Savages defense forced a three-and-out, the offense went back to work and only needed three plays to find the end zone as Jadon Brady scored on a 56-yard jet sweep, giving Savannah the 19-14 lead.

Hoping to respond, Meierarend and the Bulldogs answered with a touchdown of their own. After Malizzi picked a first down on third-and-1, Meierarend found Bryley Ray for pass and catch of 49 yards to give the Bulldogs a 21-19 just before the half.

“I think people really underestimate our ability to throw,” Thomas said. “We have four kids, plus a couple backups, that are really good receivers and when you’ve got a quarterback like Josey (it really helps).”

Odessa put the game away early in the second half, by scoring on back-to-back possessions. Malizzi scored his second of three touchdowns with 46-yard run.

Not to be outdone, Meierarend capped off his big afternoon with a 36-yard touchdown. Meierarend finished the game with 268 total yards (189 passing, 79 rushing) and four touchdowns (two passing, two rushing).

With the win, the Bulldogs will travel to Kennett a week from today, for a chance to play in the Class 3 championship game.