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Playoffs
Wildcard Round
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People put down Natives againThe Columbus Natives made it a thriller and looked like they were going to reverse the run of play as well as the regular season result, when they intercepted Peoria People quarterback Colin Oskopy in the 4th quarter and scored three plays later on a 23-yard run by running back Elwood Juno. It gave Columbus a 21-20 lead. But Peoria on the next possession drove 63 yards in ten plays to score on a 3-yard pass from Oskopy to RB Justin Krotch for the winning score. The People opened the game with a 12-yard drive covering 75 yards, with Oskopy taking it in himself from 14 yards. It was the Peoria game, control possession with offense to limit Native chances as well as tough defense. They scored on the next two possessions, with a 20-yard field goal by kicker Nick Sabum, and a 12-yard run by Krotch and looked like they would run away with their kind of game again or even better than in the regular seasons meeting, which they won 24-8. But the Natives got going after the 17-0 score, with a 13-play drive of their own, ignited by two straight 20-plus yard passes from QB Isaiah Prayer to wide receiver Drew Aplaus and tight end Egon Fase, respectively, and scored on a 3-yard pass to Aplaus. Then to start the second half, they drove 80 yards, capped by a 15-yard pass to WR Lew Dax. Peoria added a field goal following that drive, then the teams traded punts into the fourth quarter until Columbus' go-ahead drive. Both teams played tough defense, limiting the opposing offense, and conversely spread the offense more evenly with no player making big numbers. Prayer actually led all rushers with his 62 yards, as Krotch and running mate Justin Sane rushed for only 39 and 59 yards, respectively. Peoria TE Luther Temper led all receiver with 8 catches for 89 yards. The People advances to a rematch with their division winner Manhattan, who beat them 12-10 just last week. |
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Swamp Rats plague playoffs for LinemenFor the third straight time the Wichita Linemen have been to the playoffs, the Baton Rouge Swamp rats have ended it for them. The previous two meetings were in the Wester Conference championship game, and this game was quite similar to last year's result, 21-13. And the fact Wichita beat Baton Rouge 27-21 in the regular season makes it only more frustrating. In the first half, the game looked to be more the defensive game expected in the Eastern wildcard matchup, as the Swamp Rats got the only score, on a 6-yard pass from QB Lewton Lasivius to WR Gabe Ashe, on a short-field drive after a punt and return. Both teams were playing tough defense, canceling out each other's offense, but Baton Rouge getting the better of that. The second half immediately turned into the showdown that was anticipated, especially between the two QBs, Lasivius known as "Cody Pendant junior" in college, but having led Baton Rouge past him these last two years. Pendant led the Linemen on a scoring drive on the first drive of the half, throwing four yards to WR Danko Basement for the score. Wichita then blocked a punt to set up on the Baton Rouge 12, and scored three plays later on an 8-yard pass TE Buddy Stankey. After the Swap Rats turned the ball over on downs at the Linemen 30, they intercepted Pendant at their own 7, then two plays later, Lasivius upstaged Pendant again: he ran 83 yards for a TD, and the game was tied at 14 on the extra point. Baton Rouge scored on their next possession, after stopping Wichita on downs. Lasivius threw 21 yards to TE Stanko Szit for the TD. The Swamp Rats then stopped another Linemen drive on downs and drove to run out the clock. Pendant led the game in rushing with 84 yards, though Lasivius had the big TD run. Baton Rouge WR Noah Fence led all receivers with 7 catches for 74 yards. Baton Rouge now travels to Olympia for the conference semifinals. |
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