On Friday, McPherson proved to be too much and handed THS its biggest loss of the season, 38-19.

The Bullpups struck first less than 2 1/2 minutes into the game, but the Chieftains eventually would answer in the same quarter. Bodee Maslak scored on a 4-yard run and Thaddeus Hileman added the extra point.

McPherson answered about a minute later with a 71-yard touchdown reception and MHS was up, 14-7.

The Bullpups missed a field goal in the second quarter, but would extend its lead, 21-7, with another big play on a 64-yard pass play that looked like a running play initially, but then the MHS quarterback threw in the flats and for a short pass and the rest was a scamper down the sideline.

Blake Riedel got Tonganoxie on the board again run before MHS QB threw ball into the flats for short pass and then plenty of yards after catch and the Bullpups were up, 21-7. Tonganoxie scored on a Riedel 4-yard touchdown run, but Hileman missed the extra point and THS trailed, 21-13. McPherson got another score with 1:43 left before halftime, but Maslak took the ensuing kickoff to the MHS 40. Tonganoxie got down to the 25, but Hudson Myers threw an interception that McPherson snagged just inside the goal line and the Bullpups got the touchback. The scoring threat was thwarted and MHS would go into the locker room with a 28-13 lead.

McPherson extended its lead to 38-13 in the second half before Jack Reischman scored on a 41-yard touchdown reception in the fourth quarter.

McPherson improved to 5-1 on the season. The Bullpups have rattled off five straight victories after starting the season 1-1. THS fell to 4-3 and finishes up the regular season this Friday with Senior Night against Ottawa. OHS also is 4-3 overall, but 3-2 in Frontier League play. Tonganoxie is 3-1 in league play and can clinch a league title with a victory against the Cyclones. Ottawa is coming off a 22-20 victory against Louisburg, the only conference team to defeat THS so far.

The Chieftains currently are the No. 7 seed in the Class 4A East Bracket, while the Cyclones are No. 9. If the playoffs started today, Tonganoxie would be at home in the Week 9 playoff game against No. 10 Paola (3-3). Ottawa would be at No. 9 Labette County (4-3).