October 12, 2018—The Tigers moved to a 6-1 season Friday night after a 47-17 win against Oak Grove.
Head Coach Mark Faubion said the defense played extremely well. He said offense also played well and “The Three-Headed Monster” continued their season of racking up rushing yards for the team.
Seniors Corbyn Hutchings and Jackson Creason and junior Tae Rainey, who some in the community dubbed “Three-Headed Monster” continue to prove their rushing ability, gaining a total of 488 of the Tigers’ 499 yards in the game against the Panthers.
Rainey, who rushed 323 yards this game and 1164 during the regular season said the rest of the team deserves credit for the success of the monster.
“We wouldn’t be in this situation without our offensive line so we’ve got to give a lot of credit to them, but me, Corbin and Jack, we’re basically unstoppable,” he said. “No one can stop us.”
Hutchings, who rushed 104 yards this game and 785 for the regular season said he agreed and said teammates such as junior Breyden Haight and senior Brody Willis play like “animals” and open holes in the opposing team’s lines for the monster to run through. He said they owe much to the coaching staff as well. Creason, who rushed 61 yards in the game against Oak Grove and 698 in the regular season said the end result proves to be a force to be reckoned with.
“We feel very confident as a trio and no matter who you give the ball to, we’re going forward and getting yards. We really are the three-headed monster,” he said.
The Tigers started strong as Rainey rushed 68 yards to score a touchdown with 10:26 left in the first quarter. The Panthers’ Ricardo Delgado blocked junior Brandon Gluhm’s extra-point kick attempt, leaving the score 6-0.
SENIOR DANE MILSAP AND JUNIOR BRANDON GLUHM take down a Panther during the game. The Tigers rushed a total of 499 yards Friday, resulting in a 47-17 win over Oak Grove. KIMBERELY BLACKBURN | Staff photo
The Tigers held Oak Grove back during their next drive, forcing a punt in the fourth down. Junior Rocky Mullin recovered the Panthers’ punt, turning the ball back over to Excelsior Springs.
Rainey rushed for 26 yards to the end zone for a touchdown with 8:57 left in the first quarter. Hutchings two-point conversion rush attempt proved to be good, leaving the score 14-0.
The Tigers began their next drive after another fourth-down punt attempt by Oak Grove. Rainey and junior Caleb Mayfield rushed for a combined 14 yards, setting Rainey up for a 48-yard rush to the end zone. After Gluhm’s extra-point kick, the Tigers led 21-0 with 5:45 left in the first quarter.
The Panthers’ Delgado began the second quarter with a field goal from the 27-yard line, leaving the score 21-3 with 11:05 left in the second quarter. The Tigers answered with Rainey, Hutchings and Creason rushing for 48 yards, leaving a four-yard rush touchdown by Hutchings with 9:37 left in the second quarter. Gluhm’s extra-point kick left the score 28-3.
The Tigers began their next drive rushing for 78 yards including a 24-yard rush made by Rainey to the end zone. Gluhm’s failed kick attempt left the score 34-3 with 3:17 in the second quarter.
The Panthers’ ended their first drive of the second quarter with a downed punt attempt, turning the ball over to the Tigers. The Tigers rushed 35 yards in their next drive. A fumble made by Rainey and recovered by Oak Grove’s TJ Jackson turned the ball back over to the Panthers.
The Panthers’ next drive contained a sack made by Mullin resulting in a loss of six yards for Oak Grove. The Tigers ended the third quarter rushing for a combined 33 yards.
Creason began the fourth quarter rushing for 10 yards, scoring a touchdown with 11:51 left on the clock. Gluhm’s kick-attempt failed resulting in the Tigers leading 40-3.
Oak Grove answered with the Panthers’ Moses Sanderson rushing 60 yards to the end zone with 9:32 left on the clock. Brenden Marsh’s extra-point kick left the score 40-10.
With 7:01 left on the clock the Panthers’ Nate Foster completed a 71-yard pass, scoring a touchdown. Marsh’s successful extra-point kick left the score 40-17.
The Tigers answered with Rainey and Hutchings rushing a combined 74 yards, setting Hutchings up for a one-yard rush to the end zone. Gluhm’s extra-point kick left the Tigers winning over Oak Grove 47-17.
Faubion said this week’s practice involved preparing for a team where district points are on the line.
“We’re preparing for a physical team that is very hungry to beat us.” He said. We beat them the past couple years, and we’re playing at their place too. It’ll be a big game.”
The Tigers will take on Warrensburg Friday at University of Central Missouri. The game starts at 7 p.m.