By Tara Alumbaugh
Times’ sports
The Tipton Cardinal football team has made program history earning their first trip to the Missouri Show-Me Bowl championship football game.
The Cardinals earned the extra week of play by defeating the West Platte Blue Jays Saturday, Nov. 29, on the Cardinal home turf.
Weather conditions were rough for both teams as rain fell steadily Friday evening into Saturday morning, and continuing for the 1 p.m. game.
Before the first quarter ended, both teams’ jerseys no long represented their team colors, but instead were a shade of brown on a misty background and muddy field.
Coach Bill Duke praised his team for showing up with a purpose on Saturday. All week the boys stayed focused . “Nothing, not wind, not rain not field conditions was going to get in the way of what we’ve been building towards,” he said
“The weather didn’t deter us,” said Duke. “If anything, it highlighted our toughness and commitment. Great teams don’t rely on perfect conditions, they create their own momentum. Our boys embraced it.”
The game started slow for both teams as they tried to find their footing. The first quarter ended scoreless, as they took turns gaining possession of the ball with no progress made, until an interception by Cooper Doss towards the end of the first..
With 4:20 left in the first half both teams had back-to-back fumbles, but the Cardinals were able to monopolize off the errors. A pass from Dane Schlotzhauer to Andrew Bestgen connected and the Cardinals got on the board to take the lead 6-0.
The half didn’t end their with Tipton scoring another touchdown and connecting on a 2-point conversion to extend their lead to 14-0 to end the half.
Both teams took a minute to find their footing in the third quarter, with Tipton managing to score with 2:28 left in the quarter, Cashman threw a good 2-point conversion as well which moved the score to 20-0.
Halfway through the fourth quarter, the Cardinals punched in one last touchdown, taking the score to 26-0 and for 6:23 left in the game, that would be it for the endzone.
The junior varsity squad took over the last couple minutes of the game switching players in and out, allowing everyone to get a little muddy for the semi-final game.
Coach Duke’s plan for the team all along was to dictate their physicality early on and never lettle West Platte setting in offensively.
“We wanted to establish our run game, control the tempo and force the Blue Jays to adjust to us,” said Duke. “Defensively, we focused on eliminating explosive plays and making them earn every yard. Our kids executed that plan with discipline and intensity.”
Stats
Defense
Sam Duke led the Cardinals in tackles, with nine, including two quarterback sacks. He was followed by Ben Bestgen with four and a half tackles, and Reid Broyles who had four tackles, one interception and one quarterback pressure.
Levi Street ended with three and a half tackles and one quarterback pressure, while Tyler Rivera had three tackles, including one sack. Will Cashman had three tackles with one interception and one forced fumble.
Chance Petree had two and a half tackles, while Brady Dicus had two tackles before exiting due to injury. Paxton Pyle had two tackles and Landon Bracht had one tackle.
Hunter Hagerman broke up one pass and Cooper Doss had and interception
Offense
The Cardinals ended the game with 46 rushes for 181 yards.
Broken down, Pyle had 25 rushes for 109 yards, scoring one touchdown, while Rivera had 16 rushes for 60 yards, scoring two touchdowns.
Dane Schlotzhauer had one rush for a loss.
Sam Duke, Nicklaus Wolf, Ben Bestgen and Chance Petree had one pancake each, while William Wiecken, Duke, Wolf, B. Bestgen, Petree and Ty Bixler had one “do your job” stat.
Quarterback Dane Schlotzhauer completed 11 of 18 throws for 202 yards and one touchdown.
Coming up
The Cardinals have spent this week preparing on the Versailles Tigers’ turf field getting ready to take on the undefeated Putnam County Midgets for the Class 1 Show-Me Bowl championship game.
“Putnam County is a well-coached, talented and undefeated team for a reason,” said Coach Duke. But we’re not backing down from anyone. This week is about preparation, detail and making sure we play fast and confident. We will be ready. We respect them, but we’re going to complete with everything we have.”
Knowing the Cardinals have made program history, Duke says the feeling is amazing for him, the team and their coaches.
“Any time you earn a chance to play for a championship, it’s special,” said Duke. “What makes it even better is knowing how much work these boys have put in since the off season. But we also know the job isn’t finished. We’re proud, but we’re hungry.”
The Cardinals will play the Class 1 Show-Me Bowl championship game at 3 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5, on Craig Field at Spratt Memorial Stadium, Missouri Western University, St. Joseph.
Fans are reminded that tickets must be purchased at MSHSAA.org for digital entrance into the game.
If you are unable to attend, the livestream can be purchased at MSHSAA.org or listen for free on the KS95 radio station and audio at mosportsxone.vom
