THS was leading, 14-0, and had the ball again, but a pass from senior quarterback Trevor McGraw to fellow senior Isaiah Holthaus bounced off the receiver and into the arms of a Eudora defender.

The Cardinals would score right before the half and suddenly it was 14-7.

Tonganoxie’s defense again was up to the task, as neither team scored in the third quarter.

THS senior Colton Brusven would score in the fourth quarter — he ended the game with all three scores — and THS got a Frontier League victory over its rival, 21-7.

It was a low-scoring affair, and maybe not the prettiest victory, but the win moved THS to 5-2 overall and 3-2 in Frontier League play.

“They were returning a lot,” THS coach Preston Troyer said after the game. “To get that win anyway we can is good.”

Troyer also noted it was a major victory considering Eudora won the matchup, 42-7, a year ago in Eudora. Brusven rushed for 238 yards in the victory.

Senior Noah Bailey led the team with 10 tackles, while junior Kendall Smith and Bailey and Holthaus each registered a sack. Junior Tucker McGuire registered two hurries on defense.

Juniors Tanner Hand and Trenton Leeper each recovered fumble, while senior Brayden Folsom caused a fumble.

Junior Cael Dye had seven tackles, while seniors Zekkiah Glover, Tommy Messermsith and Brusven each had six tackles. Smith, Messersmith, McGuire, Holthaus and Bailey all had tackles for losses as well.

Friday’s game also was Senior Night for the Chieftains.

“The seniors have done so much for us,” Troyer said. So vital.”

He noted that it likely won’t be their final home game, as THS is the No. 5 seed in the Class 4A East Bracket. If the playoffs were to start today, THS would face No. 12 Ottawa (3-4). Interestingly enough, that’s who THS plays in the regular-season finale this Friday at OHS.