When East Buchanan and Hamilton took the field prior to their much anticipated KCI matchup, both teams knew their perfect records were on the line, and it would be the more physical team that retains the right to call themselves unbeaten.
The Bulldogs proved themselves to be that team, beating the Hornets 22-12 on Friday at East Buchanan High School.
"It feels really good. These young men played their hearts out," East Buchanan (4-0) coach Dan Ritter said. "We knew this was the most physical team we've played thus far and maybe that we'll play all season, and for them to come out and match their physicality was really cool to see."
The Bulldogs began the game with a four-play drive for a touchdown, highlighted by a 40-yard run for sophomore Trevor Klein and a subsequent 5-yard rushing touchdown by Klein to take an early 6-0 lead.
After the quick stop on defense, the Bulldogs scored again on the next drive. Quarterback Conner Musser hit junior Carson White for a deep gain through the air and Klein finished it off again with another rushing score. The Bulldogs also connected on a 41-yard field goal by Alec Hesson, scoring 16 unanswered points in the first quarter.
Klein noted the confidence that their hot start gave them.
"It made us feel really good," Klein said. "We were up and just kept going."
Hamilton (3-1) scored their first touchdown on a short pass from quarterback Tucker Ross to tight end Andrew Rich, but Klein's third touchdown of the half on a 20-yard rush around the left edge maintained East Buchanan's 16-point lead going into the locker room.
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