Wildcats Improve to 3-0, Bonner Springs Next

After a tough, 29-28 loss against Chanute to end the season last year, the Wildcats got their revenge last Friday, winning 33-20 and continuing to exceed expectations.

“We had a really fast start, came out, got an interception on the first possession and the offense turned it around and scored a touchdown that kicked off our first half,” head coach Drew Harding said. “We started the game really well, obviously going into halftime 19-0 was exciting for us.”

As Harding said, Louisburg started off hot defensively when Briggs White intercepted Chanute on the first drive of the game, which put the Wildcats in good field position for Max Amren to throw a touchdown to Braxton Eastland putting them up 6-0 early in the first quarter. The Wildcats stopped the Blue Comets on defense and took over with good field position once again. Mathias Wright capped off the drive with an 18 yard rushing touchdown putting Louisburg up 13-0 to end the first quarter.

Louisburg forced a punt to start the second quarter and Chanute made a defensive stop. Amren then forced a fumble which was recovered by the Wildcats, setting them up at Chanute’s 27 yard line. The Wildcat offense took advantage of the forced fumble, establishing their run game with Amren rushing the ball into the endzone extending their lead to 19-0 going into halftime.

Chanute came out strong after half making a couple defensive stops and two explosive offensive plays scoring on both making the score 19-14. Momentum shifted back to the Wildcats when Cole Heinrich took a handoff and passed it to Braxton Eastland for a near 60 yard gain. This put Louisburg inside Chanute’s 10 yard line setting Wright up to rush it in for his second of the game bringing the score to 26-14. The Wildcat defense forced a quick punt giving Louisburg possession going into the fourth quarter.

Chanute made a defensive stop early in the fourth and Louisburg’s defense followed it up with Gaston Schleicher and Amren getting to the quarterback on fourth down to force a fumble which was recovered by the Wildcats. Louisburg drove down the field and Amren rushed it in 6 yards for the score making it 33-14. The Blue Comets put together a strong drive late in the fourth, scoring making the final score 33-20.

The preparation for the game was a major factor in the strong showing for the Wildcats. “It was good, I thought we had good energy. It seemed by Tuesday we had everything pretty well lined out,” said Harding. “We just had to clean up a few things and then we were ready to go. I thought we had a really good week of preparation going into Chanute.”

“I think it was really a team effort.” Said Harding. “We were able to get sacks and were able to get after their quarterback. Our defensive line and linebackers did a good job and so did our DBs. On the offensive side we were able to run the ball effectively and that starts with our offensive line and continues with the quarterback being able to run it well and our running backs being able to make plays.”

Louisburg plays Bonner Springs at home this week looking to improve to 4-0 and continue to play good football on both sides of the ball.

It is homecoming night for the Wildcats and they look to impress fans and fellow students. Despite how well the team has played, they look to improve every week. “Consistency no matter what the situation is, being the same football team, having the same attitude, same mindset, and going out as competitors,” said Harding.

The Wildcats have looked great on both sides of the ball and have really established a dangerous run game as well as an impressive pass game.

“Hopefully our mindset is that we have a lot to prove, we played well in the first half against Chanute,” said Harding when asked about what Louisburg needs to do to win. “We didn’t play as well in the second half so hopefully we have the mindset of getting better and we have to play a complete game. That’s what we’re striving to do.”

The team has already proved a lot and they have shown improvement every week. Ranked #4 in 4A Louisburg hopes to ride this strong start into something even bigger. 

– Bo Ballard