Schlagle senior Josh Becton knocked away a Blue Valley Southwest pass in the end zone. (Photo copyright 2019 by Brian Turrel)
by Brian Turrel
Schlagle lost to Blue Valley Southwest 37-14 in the KSHSAA 5A regional final on Friday night, the Timberwolves’ second playoff victory over a KCKPS school in as many weeks.
Schlagle looked to running back Jaylin Richardson for rushing yards in the opening drives, but the Timberwolves contained him in the backfield and didn’t allow him to break free. On offense, Blue Valley Southwest focused on their own ground game, able to get solid gains up the middle and pulling out to a 14-0 lead.
On later drives, the Stallions had much better fortune through the air, getting Richardson out on the edge with swing passes, and targeting receiver Jermaine Hicks on deep throws. Hicks caught a 15-yard toss from quarterback Josh Becton with a minute remaining in the first quarter. Becton connected with Manowa Ngenzirabona for the 2-point conversion to pull within 14-8.
The Stallions kept the momentum going with a fumble recovery on the next Timberwolves drive, but weren’t able to cash in the opportunity. Southwest put together two touchdown drives in the second quarter and held a 28-8 halftime lead.
Schlagle got the first possession of the second half, but an interception gave the Timberwolves a short field and the first score of the half, a field goal for a 31-8 lead.
Cameron Campbell caught a touchdown throw from Becton with 3 minutes left in the fourth quarter for the final 37-14 result.
Schlagle ends the season with a 5-4 record, in a three-way tie for second place in the Kansas City-Atchison League.
Three other Wyandotte County teams also ended their seasons last night. Bonner Springs traveled to Bishop Miege, losing 57-8 to last year’s 4A champions. Piper played at undefeated Paola and lost 42-14. Wyandotte played at Olathe North in the 6A regional final, losing 56-13.
Senior running back Jaylin Richardson pulled in a pass in the fourth quarter. (Photo copyright 2019 by Brian Turrel)
Receiver Jermaine Hicks (10) leaped for a pass in the end zone. (Photo copyright 2019 by Brian Turrel)
Sophomore lineman Sherrick Simms set up for a block. (Photo copyright 2019 by Brian Turrel)
Senior quarterback Josh Becton made a run around the left end. (Photo copyright 2019 by Brian Turrel)
Junior receiver Elija Taylor ran onto the field with the team before the game. (Photo copyright 2019 by Brian Turrel)
Senior Jordan Scruggs (3) got to the outside on a kickoff return. (Photo copyright 2019 by Brian Turrel)
Senior defensive back Errick Moore (83) recovered a Blue Valley Southwest fumble. (Photo copyright 2019 by Brian Turrel)
Blue Valley Southwest running back Mason Rozell leaped over the Schlagle defense. (Photo copyright 2019 by Brian Turrel)
Schlagle athletic director Sonya Scott presented the regional championship plaque to the Blue Valley Southwest players. (Photo copyright 2019 by Brian Turrel)
Schlagle senior quarterback Joshua Becton scored the winning touchdown in the second overtime series of Schlagle’s 12-6 win over Harmon. (Photo copyright 2019 by Brian Turrel)
by Brian Turrel
A defensive struggle turned into a double-overtime thriller when the Harmon Hawks visited Schlagle High School on Friday evening. The Stallions scored a touchdown in the second overtime series to win the game 12-6.
The first period of the game was scoreless. Both teams led long drives that stalled in their opponent’s territory.
Harmon got on the board in the second quarter, capping a drive with a 4-yard run up the middle from senior Terrence Johnson. Johnson powered the Hawks’ offense all night on quarterback keepers.
Schlagle looked like it might tie the game at the end of the second quarter. Running back Jaylin Richardson switched to quarterback, and the Stallions started to gain consistently long yardage on sweep plays. However, Richardson was ejected for an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty, and the drive stalled deep in Harmon territory.
The third quarter was another defensive grind, with neither team able to capitalize, even with good field position.
Schlagle quarterback Joshua Becton picked up the Stallions’ only regulation score on an 81-yard touchdown run with 9 minutes left in the fourth quarter. Becton cut back around the left side and found room to accelerate away from the Hawks’ defense.
Harmon thought it had gone ahead late in the fourth on an end run by Michael Reed. The play was called back for offensive holding, and in a remarkable sequence of penalties and sacks, Harmon went from a game-winning touchdown to deep in its own territory facing fourth down and 40 yards to go.
As the clock wound down, both teams went to the air to try to make a winning play. The gambles failed to pay off, and both defensive squads held firm with interceptions. A Schlagle drive and near-touchdown with 3 minutes remaining were snuffed out by a fumble, recovered by Harmon’s Shannon Robinson in the end zone.
In the first overtime series, Schlagle fumbled away its possession, and Harmon was held out of the end zone on downs.
In the second series, Harmon led off, but was intercepted in the end zone by linebacker Jermaine Hicks. Schlagle scored on the very next play on a run around the left side by Becton to take the victory.
The win takes Schlagle to 3-1 for the season (2-1 in the Kansas City-Atchison League). They’ll play an away game against Sumner Academy next Friday. Harmon drops to 2-2 (0-2 KCAL). The Hawks will play host to the Lansing Lions next Friday. Both games start at 7 p.m.
Harmon senior quarterback Terrence Johnson made a run up the middle near the end zone. (Photo copyright 2019 by Brian Turrel)Schlagle junior receiver Elija Taylor cut back against a Harmon defender. (Photo copyright 2019 by Brian Turrel)Harmon senior Shannon Robinson recovered a fumble in the end zone. (Photo copyright 2019 by Brian Turrel)Schlagle senior defensive back Jordan Scruggs intercepted a Harmon pass in the fourth quarter. (Photo copyright 2019 by Brian Turrel)Schlagle freshman linebacker Jermaine Hicks intercepted the ball in the end zone to stop Harmon’s second overtime drive. (Photo copyright 2019 by Brian Turrel)The Schlagle Marching Stallions performed at halftime. (Photo copyright 2019 by Brian Turrel)The Schlagle Marching Stallions performed at halftime. (Photo copyright 2019 by Brian Turrel)Joshua Becton ran away from the defense for a game-tying touchdown in the fourth quarter. (Photo copyright 2019 by Brian Turrel)Harmon senior lineman Salvador Aleman brought down Joshua Becton. (Photo copyright 2019 by Brian Turrel)Harmon senior quarterback Terrence Johnson (7) scored a Harmon touchdown. (Photo copyright 2019 by Brian Turrel)Terrence Johnson, on defense, tipped away a pass from his counterpart Joshua Becton. (Photo copyright 2019 by Brian Turrel)Harmon senior receiver Abdullahi Abdulle caught a swing pass. (Photo copyright 2019 by Brian Turrel)Harmon junior Michael Reed returned a kickoff. (Photo copyright 2019 by Brian Turrel)Schlagle senior Exavier Taylor cut through a gap in the line. (Photo copyright 2019 by Brian Turrel)Schlagle senior running back Jaylin Richardson was tackled near the sideline. (Photo copyright 2019 by Brian Turrel)
