With a chill in the air, the Shawnee Mission Northwest Cougars, used a punishing ground game, to come away with a hard fought 19-14, victory over Shawnee Mission East.
After a scoreless first quarter, Shawnee Mission East, got on the scoreboard first. Lancer quarterback, Luke Pearcy, rolled right, after a play action fake, and found Charlie Carroll, wide open, for a 19-yard score. Ryan Dehan’s point after split the uprights.
The Cougars answered with, 3:18 left in the half, John Whitener scored, on a 7-yard run. Olivia Anderson’s point after, went wide right. The Cougars trailed at halftime 7-6.
The 3rd quarter was completely dominated by the Cougars. They used more than half of the quarter moving down the field. Whitener found pay dirt, again, this time from 2 yards out. The two-point pass was broken up, and the Cougars led 12-7.
On the Lancers first play from scrimmage, they fumbled, and the Cougars recovered, on the Lancer 28-yard line. The Cougars continued their ground assault, Gabe Hoskins, took a long pitch, from quarterback Traimyre Woodruff, and went up the middle for a 2-yard touchdown. Derek Larsen converted his kick, to make the score 19-7.
The Lancers only ran seven offensive plays in the third quarter. In the final quarter, they were able to cut into the lead, when Luke Pearcy, rolled right, and finding no one open, he scrambled for a 14 yard touchdown. Dehan’s kick was good.
The Lancers had the ball with a chance for the winning score. However, Gabe Hoskins interception, in the end zone, on the last play of the game clinched the win.
After the game, in a loud, and upbeat locker room, John Whitener, talked about that 3rd quarter.
“My line did a great job,” Whitener said. “And I’m happy to celebrate with my team.”
The win gives the Cougars a record of 3-4. They will finish up their regular season next week, at Olathe East. The Lancers also have a record of 3-4, and they will also be on the road at Mill Valley.
