By Bill Knust PrepsKC Staff Writer
Posted: November 4, 2017 - 10:04 AM

The favorites all moved on in the Missouri state playoffs. After a couple of stunning upsets last week, the No. 1 seed won all three matchups in the district finals this week. Staley trailed after one quarter, but they turned it on in the second quarter to easily beat Liberty 49-24. Belton gave Battle a tight contest for two quarters, but the Spartans pulled away in the second half for a 44-21 win, and Lafayette County took advantage of a muffed punt to down Lathrop 41-24.

Staley 49, Liberty 24
The Falcons scored in every quarter on their way to the Class 5 District 8 championship. For a quarter Staley found itself in a bit of unusual territory – trailing in a contest.

After quarterback John Raybourn’s 65-yard touchdown run gave the Falcons a 7-0 lead, Liberty answered with 10 straight in the first quarter to take a 10-7 lead. Blue Jays quarterback Thomas Henrichs threw the first of his three touchdown passes, and found receiver Gibson Brown for a 77-yard score and Drew Mackie added a field goal.

Then Falcons exploded for 21 points and never looked back. Running backs JD Benbow and Aaron Keast each had the first of their two touchdowns and Raybourn threw a touchdown to Rod Criss from 9 yards out.

Staley will face Fort Osage next week in the Class 5 quarterfinals.

Lafayette County 41, Lathrop 27
Lathrop gave the undefeated Huskers everything they could handle, but it just wasn’t enough to get it done as Lafayette County moved on to the Class 2 quarterfinals. The Huskers will play Holden next week.

After Brock Lewis’ touchdown run cut the Huskers’ lead to 34-27, the Mules defense forced a punt to get the ball back with 2 minutes, 45 seconds left in the game. However, a fumble on the punt gave the Huskers the ball deep in Lathrop territory and ended the threat.

Lewis finished with two touchdown runs, and Justin Wright also hauled in a touchdown pass from the Mules.

Battle 44, Belton 21
Belton’s Cinderella run came to an end at the hands of Battle. The Pirates’ high-flying offense was shut down by the Spartans in the second half, as they struggled for answers to solve Battle’s defense.

Dante Madden had a big night for the Pirates. He returned two kickoffs 90 and 95 yards for a touchdown and also caught a 3-yard touchdown from quarterback Bart Harris.

Battle will face Carthage in the Class 5 quarterfinals next week. The winner of that game will face the winner of Fort Osage-Staley in the semifinals.