Jason Brown/Special to PrepsKC

By Jared Speckman St. Joseph News-Press
Posted: August 31, 2012 - 11:15 PM

SAVANNAH, Mo. — Zane Wilt ran for a 76 yard touchdown on the opening play of the second half and removed all doubts as to whether Savannah would be able to hold on to a halftime lead over Harrisonville.

The Savages embraced an underdog role all week and used the perceived disrespect heading into their home opener that ended in a 28-12 victory over the No. 2-ranked Wildcats. Savannah beat Harrisonville in last year’s Class 4 quarterfinals, but the Wildcats came into the year highly ranked.

Most considered Savannah in

rebuilding mode, right up until the rematch victory.

“Oh we definitely made a statement,” Savannah senior defensive lineman/tight end Trevor Tittsworth said. “Everybody doubted us; you know they expected that they were going to come out and run us over. But we believed in each other, and we just played Savannah Savage football.”

Savannah built a 21-0 lead and were never threatened after defensive back Jake Humphrey returned a fumble 85 yards for a touchdown in the second quarter thanks to a persistent defense.

Allowing 139 rushing yards in the first half, the Savages came up with critical turnovers. Corey Coburn’s two early touchdown runs put Savannah up 14-0, but Harrisonville looked poised to cut the lead to one score on a deep second-quarter drive before a fumbled exchange between the quarterback and running back.

Humphrey executed a perfect scoop and score for a giant momentum swing.

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