Hornet first half lead slips away

The Penney High Hornets went toe to toe with the highly ranked East Buchanan Bulldogs in a battle for the KCI Conference crown last Friday night at Alumni Field in Hamilton.

The Hornets took a 28-14 lead into the second half, but the Bulldogs showed why they are one of the most explosive teams in Class II, outscoring Penney High 46-13 in the second half to claim the KCI title, 60-41.

Hamilton received the opening kickoff and started their initial drive on the Penney 36 yard line. On 3rd and 8, Jaran Richman completed a pass to wide receiver Derek Dixon for a first down at the 50. A 9 yard run by Kyle Elliott followed by a 6 yard scamper by Richman gave the Hornets a first down at the Bulldog 35. On 3rd down from the East Buch 39, Richman hit Korby Ford for the score. Brock Swindler kicked the extra point for a 7-0 score just under 4 minutes into the game. The Bulldogs returned Swindler's kickoff to the East Buch 33. The Bulldogs would record a first down at their own 44 before Hamilton's defense caused them to turn the ball over on downs at the Penney 46. The Hornets were unable to move the ball enough for a first down and Mason McFall punted the ball back to the Bulldogs. 

East Buch went on a 12 play scoring drive, the final 3 yards on a run by quarterback Kolby Rapp with 2:17 left on the first quarter clock. Defensive lineman Tyler Trosper and linebacker T.C. East stopped the 2-point conversion run preserving a 7-6 Penney advantage. Kenny Pulley gave the Hornets good field position, returning the kickoff to the Hamilton 47. Offensive lineman Drake Brown recovered a Hamilton fumble on first down. On 2nd and 15, running back East carried the ball and defenders to the Bulldog 17. Two rushes by East sandwiched around a run by Elliott gave Penney a 4th and 1 at the end of the first quarter. Richman ran for a first down to the East Buch 5 where Elliott would run it in for the score. Swindler's kick made the score 14-6 just 20 seconds into the 2nd quarter.

The Bulldogs would start their next possession on their own 35. Elliott would tackle the receiver for a 5 yard gain on first down, and Telly Harper prevented a pass completion on 2nd down. East Buch would eventually turn the ball over on downs at the Bulldog 40. Richman ran for 5 yards on first down, and Korby Ford made a great over the head catch on a Richman pass for a first down to the East Buch 16. Facing a 4th and 3 at the 9 yard line, Richman ran through the Bulldog defense for the score. Swindler kicked the extra point giving Hamilton a 21-6 lead with 8:26 left in the opening half.

For more on this story, see this week's edition of the Caldwell County News!

The Caldwell County News

101 South Davis
P.O. Box 218
Hamilton, MO 64644
Phone: 816-583-2116
news@mycaldwellcounty.com

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