Photo Credit: Nick Verbenec/www.nickverbenecphotography.comKaleb Scott made crucial plays on defense and in the return game as Basehor-Linwood survived Lansing’s furious second half rally to post a 32-26 win on the road and improve to 5-1 on the year.
Lansing quarterback Dalton Jorgensen connected with Lexton Grafke for scores of 69, 34 and eight yards and hit Ryan French with a 27-yard scoring strike all in the second half to tie the contest 26-26 with 8:45 left after trailing 18-0 at halftime.
The Bobcats, however, responded with Scott’s 90-yard kick return for a score in the third quarter and Brady VanDonge’s game winning 24-yard strike to Austin Adair with 6:38 left. Scott ended the Lion threat when he stepped in front of a Lansing pass to clinch the narrow win.
The Bobcats opened the game’s scoring on their opening possession when Brant Wilson capped a nine-play, 45-yard drive with a three-yard strike to Nash McCarty with 8:17 left in the opening quarter. Wilson converted the 2-point conversion run to put the guests up 8-0.
After missing a 38-yard field goal on Basehor-Linwood’s second possession, Gage Greer responded with a 24-yard kick three minutes into the second quarter to put the Bobcats up by two scores, 11-0. Later in the second quarter, VanDonge connected with Adair from 26 yards out to allow the Bobcats to go up 18-0.
Van Donge completed just eight of 23 passes for 124 yards but did throw a couple of touchdown passes. He added 70 yards on the ground for the Bobcats.
Jakai Harris led a Bobcat ground game that churned out 223 yards by running for 103 yards on 14 carries himself. Greer added 36 yards on eight carries while Wilson averaged seven yards on three carries. Adair caught three aerials for 62 yards and a pair of scores. Mile Hinkle reeled in two catches for 26 yards and Nash McCarty hauled in three balls for 23 yards and a score.
Besides the interception, Scott played his way into three tackles, including one for negative yardage. Scott gained 147 yards on three returns, including the 90-yard score. Scott also gave the Bobcats the short field on its opening drive when he returned the opening kickoff 40 yards to the Lion 45.
Garett Pierce played his way into 13 tackles, including 2 ½ stops for losses, and an interception.
Jorgensen completed just 21 of 50 passes but threw for 321 yards and four scores for the Lions to go along with a pair of interceptions. Jorgensen’s top target, Grafke reeled in 11 passes for 219 yards and three touchdowns. French hauled in three aerials for 54 yards and a score.
Tyrone Butler carried the ball 21 times for 48 yards while Jorgensen gained 37 yards on eight carries.
Luciano Riggi led the Lion defense with 11 tackles, including eight solo stops, and a tackle for loss. Jamale Williams and Christian Ramirez both made eight tackles with Williams making three plays that resulted in negative yardage.
For the game, Lansing out yarded the Bobcats 402-350 after running 80 plays to 64 for Basehor-Linwood. The Bobcats, who converted on eight of 15 third down conversions, won the turnover battle 2-1 and churned out 22 first downs to 21 for the Lions. Lansing was eight of 19 on third down.
Basehor-Linwood was whistled 11 times for 100 yards while Lansing was flagged eight times for 75 yards.
Lansing dropped to 2-4 on the year and travels to Manhattan next week while the Bobcats take their 5-1 record to Topeka Seaman next week ahead of the season finale against DeSoto Oct. 21. The Bobcats remain tied with the Wildcats atop the United Kansas Conference standings at 5-1.
