×
×
homepage logo

Chieftains beat Bobcats, 24-0

By Matt Friedrichs - | Oct 7, 1999

? Jubilation. Euphoria. Relief.

Emotions lit the field after Tonganoxie’s 24-0 win at Basehor Friday night.

While the team has returned to practice and will play a tough Perry-Lecompton team Friday night, there’s still time for fans to savor the victory.

“It’s been a long time, and we’re pleased,” said Steve Hughes, Tonganoxie football coach. “The kids played well. They’ve improved each game.”

The Chieftains’ first win since Sept. 19, 1997, was a team effort.
A strong defense limited Basehor-Linwood to 62 yards. The Bobcats were 0-5 passing in the first half and rushed for only 38 yards. The Tonganoxie defense stopped most of the Basehor plays for no gain or a loss.

Adam Bundy, who played in his first game this season after recovering from a knee injury, scored Tonganoxie’s first touchdown at 2:18 in the first quarter.

The 64-yard drive included runs by Jacob Sledd, John Barnes, Chris Calovich and Bundy.

Neil Rieger also caught a Barnes pass for a 17-yard gain.
Barnes scored the two-point conversion, taking the snap and diving across the goal line after Tonganoxie lined up in the swinging gate formation and Basehor was slow to respond.

Ryan Lowe added the Chieftain’s next points, kicking a 43-yard field goal at 3:07 in the third quarter.

Despite success passing the first half, the Chieftains kept it on the ground in the second half. Barnes had completed 3-8 passes for 34 yards and no interceptions.

But protecting the lead and securing a win was more important to Hughes in the second half than padding passing statistics.

“We just decided to run the ball eat up clock time,” Hughes said.
Bundy flourished, carrying the ball 18 times for 105 yards.

“Five yards a clip baby,” Bundy said after a carry from the Bobcat 13 to the Bobcat eight-yard line. “Five yards a clip.”

Barnes scored from the Bobcat one-yard line at 8:29 in the third quarter. Calovich kicked the extra point for an 18-0 lead.

Calovich then capitalized on the Bobcats’ need to score while trailing late in the game. On first and 10 at the Tonganoxie 40, Calovich picked up a fumble after the Basehor-Linwood quarterback rolled to his left, was sacked and fumbled. Calovich carried the ball to the Bobcat 18.

Barnes finished the drive, stretching the ball across the goal line as he dove toward the end zone on an option play to the left.

Barnes intercepted a Bobcat pass with fewer than three minutes to play. It was Basehor-Linwood’s fourth turnover.

After the game the players and coaches celebrated, chanting “Chieftains rock the house,” in the end zone.

Up next
The Chieftains travel to Perry for a 7 p.m. game against the Kaws Friday night.