West Platte’s homecoming celebrations were impeded when the Blue Jays’ football team fell to a 34-20 defeat to Lawson on Oct. 9.
The Blue Jays’ defense came up with some critical first-half stops, but Lawson’s physical, run-heavy offense broke the game open with 27 second-half points.
Up against a bigger Lawson squad, West Platte’s offense struggled for the majority of the night. The running game was stifled in the second half, and five turnovers cost the Blue Jays potentially pivotal possessions.
“We weren’t physical enough and we made too many mistakes,” West Platte head coach Taylor Gallagher said. “They are a tough team, they play hard, they are coached well. We were going to have to be more physical than them, and we didn’t end up doing that.”
Mark Sanders prepares to throw a pass before Lawson hit his arm to force a second-quarter fumble.
West Platte opened the game with some promising signs as senior quarterback Mark Sanders and running back Brady McMillan picked up first-down runs. The drive ultimately ended in disappointment as Sanders tossed an interception on an underthrown pass on a first-down play in Lawson’s half of the field.
Lawson’s offense got its first sample of West Platte’s staunch defense, stalling its opening drive when Reid Conrad and Ethan Bristol combined for a third-down tackle on a screen pass.
After West Platte was stopped on fourth-and-5, Lawson drove 66 yards downfield and scored on a 1-yard quarterback keeper from junior Tallon Smidt.
West Platte’s response was immediate. Senior returner Blaze Masoner took the ensuing kickoff for a 94-yard touchdown return, evading Lawson defenders and sending the kicker to the ground past midfield before running it in untouched as time expired in the first quarter.
West Platte’s first big stop of the second quarter came after Lawson ate up over half the quarter on a lengthy drive that ended with a turnover on downs as they were stopped on fourth-and-3.
Another West Platte turnover gave Lawson the ball back just outside the red zone, but again, West Platte’s defense stood strong as sophomore linebacker Adam Bartee broke up the fourth-down pass.
The Blue Jays got the ball back with 1:24 remaining, but another interception gave Lawson another opportunity to break the tie in the red zone with 49 seconds left. West Platte’s defense came up big once again, holding Lawson to a 22-yard field goal attempt, which missed wide left.
Lawson quickly worked its way back in front to open the second half, converting a third-and-9 into a 49-yard rush before Smidt scored with another short-yardage sneak up the middle. It remained a one-score game with Lawson driving going into the fourth quarter, and Smidt eventually scored another to make it 21-7 with 9:21 to play.
Lawson forced its fifth turnover with a third interception as Sanders scrambled from pressure, with the Cardinals later scoring on a 5-yard run from Brayden Pulliam to take a 27-7 lead.
Blaze Masoner scored two touchdowns in West Platte’s defeat to Lawson on Oct. 9.
Masoner later supplied West Platte’s response, catching a 70-yard touchdown pass from Sanders to pull the hosts back within two scores with 7:38 left.
Lawson answered back by burning more time off the clock and scoring on an 11-yard carry from Michael Phipps to make it 34-13 with 3:41 left.
West Platte still battled as they converted a fourth-and-5 play to Masoner for a 20-yard reception. The Blue Jays capitalized on strong pass protection when Sanders connected with Cuin Vincent for a 31-yard touchdown to make it 34-20.
“We did a nice job, and then we got worn down,” Gallagher said. “They’ve got more kids than us, more depth, they’re more physical, so that’s what happens. We’ve got the same kids in there all game long and they are worn down, then get run over in the second half.”
The Blue Jays dropped to 5-2 on the season, 3-2 in conference play. They conclude the season on the road with matchups against East Buchanan (5-2) and Lathrop (5-2).