Buhler head football coach Steve Warner has unabashedly called this playoff run a revenge tour.
The tour started last week against Great Bend, which had gotten the better of the Crusaders in their previous three matchups. Buhler settled that score with a 49–12 drubbing. Last night, the tour moved to Wamego, where Buhler avenged last year’s season-ending loss to the Red Raiders with a 36-20 victory.
Two tour stops. Two convincing victories.
As Buhler lined up in victory formation and the final seconds ticked away, the Crusader faithful cheered. The players accepted the sectional trophy, and Coach Warner smiled, savoring a moment a year in the making. Last season, Buhler exited the playoffs with a 33–27 loss to Wamego. This year, the Crusaders wrote a different ending.
This one will be remembered for Buhler’s relentless ground assault. The Crusaders amassed 344 rushing yards, led by junior tailback Landon Martinez, who carried 26 times for 237 yards—an impressive 9.1 yards per carry. Senior fullback Asher McConnaughy added 50 yards on eight carries, averaging 6.2 yards an attempt. Asher Zachary joined the action with 58 rushing yards, including a career-long 47-yard touchdown scamper.
It will also be remembered for a stout defense that frustrated Wamego all night. With virtually no running game, the Red Raiders were forced to throw against a Black Knight defense that used both base and nickel packages to great effect.
Senior defensive end and player of the game Jax Pratt recorded three more sacks, adding to his school career record. McCade Zachary collected seven tackles, while McConnaughy added six and a huge end-zone interception following a jarring hit by Jackson Rumbaugh. Senior safety Dylan Scripsick also came away with a beautiful first-half interception while defending a post route, helping Buhler build its early lead.
With the sectional trophy in tow, the revenge tour heads to McPherson next Friday.
Somehow, it always seems to come down to McPherson.
The heated rivalry takes on even greater stakes this time, with a trip to the state championship on the line. In Week 3 Buhler fell to the Pups 32-13 in the most disappointing game of the season. Can the Crusader defense slow Carter Bengston and the powerful Bullpup offense? Can Buhler’s efficient rushing attack keep finding room against a stout McPherson defense?
Coach Warner sure hopes so.
The revenge tour continues!
