Football Bullpups Use Strong Second Half to Outlast Abilene in Opening Round of Playoffs 41-20

McPHERSON, Kan. – The McPherson High School Bullpup football team took advantage of 20 unanswered points in the second half of the opening round of the playoffs, defeating No. 9 Abilene 41-20.

The scoreboard read 0-0 for the first 11:30 of the game thanks to the defensive efforts of both teams, but all it took McPherson was one play to boost the momentum in their direction. In their own territory, Bullpup running back Dane Becker avoided many would-be tacklers for a 47-yard run, putting them within striking distance. With 29 seconds left in the first, Bullpup senior TE Brody Seidl caught his first touchdown of the year from 15 yards out, putting McPherson up 7-0.

Abilene and their starting QB Taygen Funston countered with an extended drive in the 2nd quarter, tying the game on a Funston 11-yard touchdown run. Following that, a shootout occurred as the teams scored 21 combined in the final 3:30 of the first half. McPherson took the lead on a 5-yard touchdown run by Catch Delaney to make it 14-7. With 52 seconds left, Abilene tied the game at 14 on a pass from Funston to Jaxson Cuba. However, the Bullpups scored just 23 seconds later on a screen pass to Bishop Brown, which he took 76 yards to the end zone, putting McPherson up 21-14 at the half.

Abilene started the second half strong aiming to tie the game, scoring a touchdown with 7:08 in the 3rd quarter. However, Brock Richardson blocked the PAT, which ultimately led to McPherson leading for the remainder of the game. They extended their lead with a 47-yard touchdown run by Becker with 2:11 left in the 3rd to make it 27-20. QB Carter Allen capitalized on two more passing touchdowns, one to Becker and another to Seidl, to catapult the Pups to the win 41-20.

The Bullpups now set their sights on the land of Oz as they head to Wamego to face the No. 1 Wamego Red Raiders Friday, Nov. 8. Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m.