Big third quarter propels Staley to win

Connie Jurgens/Special to PrepsKC

By Cole Young PrepsKC staff writer
Posted: November 8, 2011 - 12:17 AM



If ever a game played like it was two separate games depending on what half you watched, it was the Class 5 sectional matchup between Staley and Raytown South.
 
The two teams struggled to do anything in monsoon like conditions of the first half. In the second half, the Staley Falcons looked every bit the part of their undefeated record and top state ranking.
 
The result: Staley 45, Raytown South 6.
 
But while this was a running-clock win for the Falcons, it hardly looked that way in the first half. Staley led just 8-0 and the two squads locked into a running game battle where aside from an 88-yard scoring drive they amassed less than 50 yards of total combined offense.
 
As winds gusted from the north and lightning rolled in, halftime turned into a 95-minute weather delay.
 
“That really gave us a chance to see what was working and wasn’t working,” Staley coach Fred Bouchard said. “We were able to kind of quiz our kids and see what kind of matchups they had.”
 
The changes in scheme certainly paid off for the Falcons.
 
Staley racked up 37 points in the third quarter, scoring five touchdowns on just six plays before turning over the offense to the backups.
 
The first score of the third quarter came on a 52-yard run by quarterback Trent Hosick, one of three touchdown runs for him on the night.
 
Raytown South then answered with one of their few bright spots in the loss when Jamaal Cox scored on a 39-yard scamper .
 
Leading 16-6, Staley then struck again on the first play from scrimmage with a 64-yard run by Morgan Steward, one of two third quarter touchdowns for him.
 
After another Hosick run, the junior quarterback found Bryce McGlaughlin on a 71-yard screen pass.
 
Even though the execution for the Falcons was better in the second half, Bouchard wasn’t necessarily displeased by his team’s first half performance.
 
“We didn’t play bad in the first half, but those conditions were just miserable for both teams,” he said. “Raytown South didn’t quit either tonight, it was just tough conditions to play in.”
 
The Staley defense was able to keep the Cardinal offense at bay for most of the night. They added to the scoring by picking up a safety in the third quarter.
 
Staley, 11-0, moves on to the Class 5 quarterfinals and heads on the road to face Fort Osage, 10-1.
 
The two teams last faced off in the Class 5 regionals last season, a game Staley won 22-0.
 
Raytown South ended its season 7-5.