Tonganoxie remained undefeated outlasting Spring Hill 45-24. The game was filled with plenty of quick strikes including five touchdowns in the first quarter.
Tonganoxie’s first score could have been disastrous for the Chieftains, the high shotgun snap went through the hands of quarterback Blake Poje, but senior running back Cooper Cunningham caught the ball before it hit the ground and raced 55 yards for the first score of the game. After the game Cunningham said, “I saw the ball in the air and I just grabbed it and took off.”
The Broncos answered quickly when Corbyn Meyers threw a slant pass to Zach Knowlton, and just out-ran the defense for a 42-yard touchdown.
Poje broke the tie, with a 6 yard, play action pass to Tucker Isaacs, in the middle of the end zone.
Tonganoxie’s Dustin Rhoads intercepted a tipped pass and game his offense a short field. Cunningham scored his second rushing touchdown of the quarter from 15 yards out.
With just :12 left in the first quarter Meyers arched a long pass down the sideline to Gage Klutts. Klutts reached around his defender to secure the catch and sprinted down the sideline for 46-yard touchdown. As the first quarter ended the Broncos trailed 21 - 14.
The second quarter was all about defense and field position, both teams were held scoreless until :12 left in the quarter, when Chieftains kicker, Javier Trujillo nailed a 35-yard field goal putting his team up by 10 points at the half.
Bear Gardner cut the lead down to a touchdown when he made a 39-yard field goal.
Tonganoxie took over the game late in the third quarter, Sam Kleidosty, took a direct snap and scampered 47 yards for a score. The Broncos had trouble fielding the ensuing kickoff and the Chieftain took over inside the Bronco 15-yard line. Cunningham scored his third rushing touchdown from 8-yards out.
The Broncos scored again Meyers found Evan Letellier on a 13-yard slant pattern, making the score 38 - 24.
The Chieftains recovered the onside kick, and Kleidosty scored again from 30 yards out for the final score of the game.
After the game Tonganoxie head coach Al Troyer, gathered his team and reminded them, “Ten wins in a season is a great accomplishment, but we have more work to do.”
Also Troyer spoke with great civic pride after the game, “We are a community, this is a special place, we are nestled between Lawrence and Kansas City, and people are proud of being here. They love the football team, they love the sports, they love the community and that’s what we are all about.”
Spring Hill finishes its season at 5-6. The Chieftains win moves their record to 10-0, next week they will face the 8-2 Bishop Miege Stags.
