THS scored first with 8:01 left in the first quarter. Blake Riedel scored on a 5-yard touchdown run. The Chieftains went three-and-out on their first offensive series of the game, but recovered the ensuing punt and scored a few plays later in the short field.

The teams continued to trade possessions before Rock Creek tied the game with its long touchdown recaption with 7:52 left in the third quarter. The PAT put the Mustangs ahead.

Rock Creek widened the lead in the fourth quarter with a blocked punt of its own that resulted in a touchdown and the Mustangs led, 14-6, with 10:39 left in regulation.

Tonganoxie answered right back as THS marched down the field. THS quarterback Hudson Myers found Kip Harder for a 15-yard touchdown reception and Tonganoxie was a conversion away from trying the game. But a pass attempt was incomplete on the two-point conversion and Rock Creek still had a 14-12 lead.

On the Mustangs’ next possession, RCHS got just inside the red zone and punched through a 34-yard field goal.

Tonganoxie had a chance with 3:19 left to assemble a winning drive. THS started the possession at its own 26-yard-line, but the Chieftains couldn’t muster a first down after recovering a fumble in the backfield and suffering a holding penalty.

Tonganoxie played on a grass field for the first time since the 2023 postseason, and recent rains made for a sloppy surface.

THS fell to 3-2 with the loss, while Rock Creek improved to 3-2. Tonganoxie will turn its attention to this coming Friday’s homecoming game against Bonner Springs. The Braves are 1-4 on the season.