On a big night in Paola with Miami County bragging rights on the line, it was all about the big play.
In a battle for the Frontier League championship, and the no. 1 seed in the 4A East bracket between two teams which came into the game undefeated, Louisburg used big plays and stifling defense to defeat Paola 25-7 Friday night.
From the start, it was all Wildcats.
Louisburg (8-0) opened the game capping a 9-play drive with a 25 yard pass from junior quarterback Madden Rutherford to senior running back Blue Caplinger to take an early lead.
And on the other side, the struggles for Paola started on its first offensive play when the Panthers fumbled the ball deep in its own territory. Paola (7-1) finished the game with four turnovers.
The Wildcats couldn’t convert the first turnover into points, but two series later, Rutherford connected with senior receiver Brayden Gage for a 38-yard touchdown pass.
“Our goal was to get them down early and see how they reacted,” said Louisburg coach Robert Ebenstein. “It all worked out.”
Paola, who had outscored opponents 295-25 in the first seven games of the season, couldn’t run the ball between the tackles, and when it tried to stretch the field, Louisburg was ready. The Panthers finished with just eight first downs. Paola’s only touchdown was a 79-yard pass from senior quarterback Seth Richmond to senior tight end Corbin Grant.
They beat us up front. They beat us on the edge,” said Paola coach Mike Dumpert. “It was hard to move the ball. That’s all there is to it.”
Ebenstein said he was confident that they’d be able to stop the Panthers’ option attack.
“I knew our kids could be good and they played super well tonight,” he said.
In all, Louisburg would use six plays of 20 yards or more to set up its four touchdowns on the night, and Ebenstein couldn’t have been more pleased. Louisburg had a 19-7 lead going into halftime, with the highlight being a throwback reverse touchdown pass to Rutherford.
“It’s the best I’ve ever felt as a coach,” he said.
Louisburg added its final touchdown of the night when Rutherford snuck it in from a yard out, capping a seven play, 88-yard drive.
“This means everything,” Rutherford said. “A lot of people were doubting us. I try not to look at the predictions online but everyone had Paola winning.”
Louisburg takes home the Frontier League title, and will be the no. 1 seed in the 4A East bracket, while Paola will be the no. 2 seed.
“I think our kids are pretty grounded,” Ebenstein said. “Ever since the summer it’s been one game at a time and this was the game this week.”
As for the Panthers, Dumpert is confident they’ll bounce back after coming into the game having given up 25 points in the first seven weeks, a total matched Friday.
“Luckily for us, it’s not the end of the world. The sun is going to rise tomorrow.”
