The Class 4A No. 4-ranked Buhler Crusaders fought off the No. 5 Mulvane Wildcats 34-27 Friday night at Mulvane.
The Crusaders led 20-16 after one quarter and the score held at halftime. Ben Clouse scored on a 1-yard touchdown run, Buhler’s defense returned a fumbled 9 yards for a TD and Landon Martinez caught a 73-yard TD pass from Asher Zachary. Zachary ran for the 2-point conversion.
Mulvane’s Manny Myers scored on a 3-yard TD run and hooked top with Caleb Boor on a 5-yard TD pass. Mulvane’s Taven Osborn kicked a 19-yard field goal.
Mulvane cut Buhler’s lead to 20-18 on a safety in the third quarter, but Buhler’s Zachary scored on a 1-yard TD run.
In the fourth quarter, Osborn booted a 26-yard field goal and Grady Myers returned an interception 60 yards to tie the score at 27-27.
Clouse scored the game-deciding points on a 70-yard touchdown run. Nathan Wells kicked the extra point for the 34-27 final score.
Buhler outgained Mulvane 304-283 in total yards. The Crusaders passed for 125 yards and ran for 179.
Zachary completed 5-of-13 passes for 125 yards. Max Harmony gained 99 yards rushing and Clouse had 89.
Buhler and Mulvane combined for eight turnovers (four each). Mulvane had 12 penalties.
Buhler hosts Augusta next Friday.
