Down a starting quarterback for much of the game, Class 1 No. 2 Mid-Buchanan faced its toughest challenge yet and took ownership of the fourth quarter to beat No. 5 East Buchanan 28-21 on Friday in Faucett, Missouri.
When asked postgame if this win stacks up with the best victories of his tenure, Dragons coach Aaron Fritz answered in the affirmative.
“Yes. How's about yes?” he said. “They're a great team, they're a state title favorite for a reason. It's a great win for us, a great win for our program, and I know they're gonna try to find us again.”
The game lived up to all the anticipation of a rivalry game between unbeaten schools in search of the top seed in districts and a KCI title.
Mid-Buchanan (7-0) started the game as they seemingly always do by taking multi-touchdown lead in the first quarter. After pinning East Buchanan (6-1) on their own 9-yard line, forcing a quick three-and-out that put them in excellent field position after the Bulldogs' punt. They scored just a few plays later, as quarterback Rawlins Brant connected with wide receiver Caiden Bailey for a 14-yard score to take a 6-0 lead.
Brant scored on an 8-yard run to extend their lead on the next possession.
The second quarter was kinder to the Bulldogs, who worked the ball down the field in both the air and on the ground, eventually scoring on a 6-yard run from sophomore Trevor Klein.
Their defense then came into form alongside their offense, and the next time they had the ball a big run from senior Cru Conaway set up an 18-yard touchdown connection from quarterback Conner Musser to receiver Luke Webb to take a 14-13 lead, as well as firm control of the game's momentum.
At halftime, the Dragons just focused on what they needed to change on the field with Brant sidelined due to injury.
“We knew Rawlins was gone, so we just wanted to talk about adjustments,” Fritz said. “We told them that we loved them, that we were gonna figure it out, and that they need one thing on their mind and that is to find a way to win the game.”
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