TOWANDA, Kan. – The McPherson High School Bullpup Football team defeated the Circle High School Thunderbirds 34-17 Friday, moving to 1-1 on the season.
Circle entered the game 1-0 after a blowout victory against Coffeyville-Field Kindley after a strong rushing attack. That attack, plus a big start from quarterback Mason Stobart, led to a touchdown on the opening drive. McPherson’s offense turned the ball over on downs on their first opening drive, but then a pair of tackles-for-loss forced a punt. The Bullpups then drove down the field on a 51-yard drive, capitalized by a rushing touchdown by Dane Becker.
With the scored tied at 7 to start the 2nd quarter, Circle found the end zone again on a 21-yard pass from Stobart to Dominic Sawyer. McPherson followed up the 14-7 deficit with a two-minute drill type of drive to tie the game after sophomore running back Brody Milleson cross the goal line. However, Circle drove down the field after long passes and defensive penalties, ending the half with a 30-yard field goal and making the score 17-14 Circle at halftime.
The second half was all McPherson. The Bullpups opened the half with a 37-yard drive ending in a missed 49-yard field goal by Jaxon Hoover. The defense for McPherson stood tall, not allowing positive yardage in the first two drives of the half. After the first possession, McPherson ended a long drive with a touchdown pass from Carter Bengtson to Ashton Malm, giving the Bullpups their first lead of the season.
After stopping the Thunderbirds on consecutive possessions, the Bullpups ran up the scoreboard with rushing touchdowns by Bentson and MIlleson. The rushing attack totaled to an unofficial mark of 350 yards. Milleson led with 199 yards on the ground in just his second career varsity game. Becker added over 100 yards on the ground for the second straight game. McPherson won 34-17, moving to 1-1 on the season and 1-0 in AVCTL Div. 3 play.
The Bullpups ended with 453 yards on the game, outgaining Circle’s total offense of 287. The Thunderbirds outgained McPherson in the first half 258 to 174. McPherson’s second half saw them with the edge, gaining 279 yards and allowing only 29.
THE TRENCHES
The biggest reason for why the offense was strong in the game was with the five players on the front line: Dylan Hall, Jayce Gunn, Braxton Burgess, Krayton Byrd, and McCoy Berggren. Key blocks up front helped the Bullpups limit tackles-for-loss while also not allowing any sacks on the game.
UP NEXT
The Bullpups’ home opener will be Friday, Sep. 19 against Chanute, who will enter the contest 2-0.
