Post by MizzouTiger on Dec 1, 2007 16:56:53 GMT -5
www.kansascity.com/696/story/375619.html
Louisburg falls to Andale 31-14 in Kansas Class 4A football final
By PAUL K. MOGENSON
Special to The Star
SALINA, Kan. | Gary O’Hair wouldn’t call himself a gambler, but Saturday afternoon he had his Andale Indians go for it on a pair of fourth-down plays in the third quarter.
The gambles produced 10 points and paved the way to a 31-14 victory over Louisburg in the Kansas Class 4A state championship game at Salina Stadium. It was Andale’s second state title in two years.
After Andale battled to a 14-14 tie in the first half, O’Hair got his first chance to roll the dice with Andale facing fourth and 1 at its own 42-yard line. Levi Neelly rewarded the coaches’ decision by popping through the middle of the line and bolting 58 yards for a go-ahead touchdown just 1 minute, 42 seconds into the third quarter.
“That was huge,” O’Hair said. “We felt that was an opportunity to win the game if we could get that right there, and I’ve got a lot of confidence in those kids.”
Louisburg coach Gary Griffin echoed O’Hair’s assessment.
“The biggest play of the game was that fourth and less than a yard, and I don’t know, we missed some tackles and then they popped off that touchdown,” he said.
Neelly finished the game with 107 yards rushing on 18 carries.
Andale, 14-0, was back in business two plays later after Jason Spradling fumbled and Corey Harp recovered at the Louisburg 34.
Three plays later, Andale was backed up to the 40 and facing fourth and 16. O’Hair gambled again, and this time Wayne Clutter caught a 34-yard pass from Brett Macari for a first down at the Louisburg 6.
Though Louisburg, 13-1, kept Andale out of the end zone, Macari kicked a 26-yard field goal with 6:38 left in the third quarter that made it 24-14.
Louisburg falls to Andale 31-14 in Kansas Class 4A football final
By PAUL K. MOGENSON
Special to The Star
SALINA, Kan. | Gary O’Hair wouldn’t call himself a gambler, but Saturday afternoon he had his Andale Indians go for it on a pair of fourth-down plays in the third quarter.
The gambles produced 10 points and paved the way to a 31-14 victory over Louisburg in the Kansas Class 4A state championship game at Salina Stadium. It was Andale’s second state title in two years.
After Andale battled to a 14-14 tie in the first half, O’Hair got his first chance to roll the dice with Andale facing fourth and 1 at its own 42-yard line. Levi Neelly rewarded the coaches’ decision by popping through the middle of the line and bolting 58 yards for a go-ahead touchdown just 1 minute, 42 seconds into the third quarter.
“That was huge,” O’Hair said. “We felt that was an opportunity to win the game if we could get that right there, and I’ve got a lot of confidence in those kids.”
Louisburg coach Gary Griffin echoed O’Hair’s assessment.
“The biggest play of the game was that fourth and less than a yard, and I don’t know, we missed some tackles and then they popped off that touchdown,” he said.
Neelly finished the game with 107 yards rushing on 18 carries.
Andale, 14-0, was back in business two plays later after Jason Spradling fumbled and Corey Harp recovered at the Louisburg 34.
Three plays later, Andale was backed up to the 40 and facing fourth and 16. O’Hair gambled again, and this time Wayne Clutter caught a 34-yard pass from Brett Macari for a first down at the Louisburg 6.
Though Louisburg, 13-1, kept Andale out of the end zone, Macari kicked a 26-yard field goal with 6:38 left in the third quarter that made it 24-14.