In a thrilling back and forth game, Louisburg decided to go for the win. The two-point pass was good, and that provided the margin of victory. Louisburg stays undefeated as they defeat Tonganoxie 30-29.
When Louisburg head coach, Drew Harding was asked after the game about the two-point pass, for the win, he said:
“We hadn’t showed it this year, we hadn’t run this year, kind of risky to pull it out, first time in a game, high situation like that, but the executed, and did a really good job."
Louisburg jumped out to an early lead scoring on their first two possessions. Ashton Moore dove over the pile from 1 yard out. The point after by Alexander Saad, was blocked. Quarterback Declan Battle, then scored on a 66-yard keeper. Battle then found Conlee Hovey for the two-point pass. The Wildcats led 14-0.
Tonganoxie needed just one offensive play to score, Colton Brusven went around right end, and outran the Wildcat defense for a 74-yard touchdown run. Jackson McWilliams kick, cut the lead in half.
Louisburg, answered when Moore, broke through the line and went 39 yards for the score. Battle converted the two-point run, and the Wildcats were up 22-7.
“Whenever I broke the first tackle, I saw the open field, and I just tried to takeoff, as fast as I could,” Moore said. “I knew there would be guys trying to catch me from behind. All I did, was keep my eyes on the end zone, making sure I protected the ball."
Inside of a minute, left in the half, McWilliams kicked a field goal for Tongie, but the Wildcats committed a personal foul, on the play. Tongie put their offense back on the field, and with just :15, left in the half, quarterback Trevor McGraw, rolled to his right, and when he found no one open, he tucked the ball away, fought for a 4-yard TD run. McGraw connected with Isaiah Holthaus for the two-point conversion. Tongie trailed 22-15 at the half.
The third quarter was all Tonganoxie. Brusven scored twice in the third quarter. Once from 2 yards out, and the second from 4 yards away. McWilliams, two conversions gave the Chieftains, a 29-22 lead.
At 5:39 of the 4th quarter, Battle made the play of the game, when he found Caden Caplinger, running down the left sideline, and connected for a 62-yard scoring play. The Wildcats two-point play was executed perfectly. Battle rolled to his right, while Conlee Hovey, who was lined up on the right side, slipped by passed the defense, crossing to the left. Battle stopped rolling right, and back across the field to the wide-open Hovey, for the final points of the game.
The win moves Louisburg to a record of 6-0, and they will be at home next week to host Ottawa. Tonganoxie falls to 4-2, next week they will host Eudora.
