Photo Credit: Clint Dye/Special to PrepsKCFor the third year in a row, the East Buchanan Bulldogs are District Champions.
Tonight, East Buchanan defeated KCI Conference rivals Mid-Buchanan to become Missouri Class 2 District 8 Champions.
"District Titles are always at the top of your list when you start a season," said East Buchanan head coach Dan Ritter. "I'm proud of the guys tonight for getting the job done against a determined Mid-Buchanan team."
Neither team got much going offensively in the first quarter.
The opening stanza was filled with three and outs for East Buchanan. Meanwhile, Mid-Buchanan was able to move the ball into East Buchanan territory but saw each of their possessions ending by fourth down stops from the Bulldog defense.
It wasn't until there was 26 seconds left in the first half that East Buchanan got on the board.
After a failed fake punt by the Dragons, East Buchanan picked up their first first down of the game.
A handful of plays later, junior Aidan Smith crossed the goaline for a 3-yard touchdown.
Smith, who stepped up in a big way with All-State senior running back Trevor Klein on the sidelines due to appendicitis, had 115 yards on 25 carries with one score.
"We know how talented Aidan is and what he brings to the team," Ritter said. "It was great seeing him step up when we needed him to."
East Buchanan kept the momentum rolling during their first drive of the third quarter.
A healthy dose of Smith on the ground and a big pass from senior Gage Busby to junior Trey Johnson put East Buchanan in prime position to extend the lead. Which they did on a Busby five yard quarterback keeper.
Busby added a second rushing touchdown midway through the fourth quarter to conclude the scoring on the night.
In total Busby completed seven of 18 passes for 88 yards. His leading reciever was Trey Johnson with two catches for 68 yards.
East Buchanan moves on to the Quarterfinals where they will play at Bowling Green next Saturday, November 18.
