The Panthers took revenge on the Wildcats in Louisburg winning 42-7 to take the District Championship Thursday night.

Paola lost two times last year to the eventual State Champs both on its home field.

 “The Panthers beat Louisburg like a drum,” said activities director Jeff T. Hines the following day during a pep rally.

The Wildcats got their only victory of the night when they won the coin toss and elected to receive. Louisburg started the drive from their own 49-yard line but went three and out gaining only 6 yards on the first drive of the game. The Wildcat’s punt was nearly downed by the goal line but took a Paola bounce right in to the end zone.

Paola started their first drive from the 20-yard line after the touchback. The Panthers put together a strong first drive gaining small chunks of yardage eating up almost 6 minutes off the clock. The drive was capped off by huge 40 yard gain by senior Tyler Henness.

Paola was able to win the game with their strength; the run game. The Panthers gained 408 yards on the ground and 30 through the air and held Louisburg to only 107 yards of total offense. Senior Austin Dent had a huge play in the second quarter breaking up a pass play by laying a huge hit on a Louisburg receiver. The drive continued after the play but the hit swung the momentum in Paola’s favor.

Paola plays Anderson County Tuesday November 1 in postseason play.

 Paola Scoring Plays

• Henness 40 yard touchdown run capping off a 10 play, 80 yard drive
• Staats 5 yard touchdown run capping off a 4 play, 69 yard drive
• Henness 3 yard touchdown run capping off a 10 play, 69 yard drive
• Henness 1 yard touchdown run capping off an 11 play, 64 yard drive
• Henness 68 yard touchdown run capping off a 1 play, 68 yard drive
• Sloan 1 yard touchdown run capping off a 12 play, 78 yard drive