Paola lives to fight another day with a 48-15 win over the Columbus Titans. Senior center/defensive lineman Tyler Hieber said the game was won in the days leading up to the game. “This week was won by our focus and mental preparation and it showed,” Hieber said.
Paola started the game quickly and didn’t slow down until the JV players found their way to the field in the second half. The Panthers opening drive started from the 39-yard line and ended with a touchdown two plays later thanks to a 52 yard touchdown run by senior running back Tyler Henness.
The Panther’s quick start was made possible by a slow start for Columbus. Columbus went three-and-out on its first drive gaining only three yards before punting.
Paola went in to halftime with a 41-0 lead putting up 27 points in the first quarter and 14 in the second.
Head coach Mike Dumpert and company showed a lot of confidence in the lead bringing in the second team defense to start the second half.
After a quick 1:45 drive by Columbus resulting in a touchdown and 2pt. conversion, Paola’s starting offense came out for their first drive of the half. The Panther’s went 65 yards running 6:15 off the clock making the score 47 -8 with 16 minutes to go in the game.
After Paola’s second team defense failed to make a stop on its first chance they settled in and gave up only seven more points in the final 16 minutes.
Paola ran all over the Titans gaining 491 yards on the ground and adding 22 yards through the air. Columbus managed to gain 160 yards on the ground and 98 through the air. Most of the Titans offense came against the Panther’s JV team in the second half.
Paola will play Blue Valley South West Friday at 7pm in Paola.
Blue Valley South West beat Piper 41-14 in its Regional Championship game Saturday.
Paola Scoring Plays
- Henness 52 yard touchdown run capping off a 2 play, 61 yard drive
- Staats 38 yard touchdown run capping off a 4 play, 55 yard drive
- Henness 44 yard touchdown run capping off a 6 play, 70 yard drive
- Staats 30 yard touchdown run capping off a 3 play, 67 yard drive
- Staats 55 yard touchdown run capping off a 7 play, 80 yard drive
- Henness 8 yard touchdown run capping off a 8 play, 54 yard drive
- Kern 4 yard touchdown run capping off a 11 play, 65 yard drive
Rushing Leaders
- Henness-18 carries, 178 yards, 3 TDs
- Staats-10 carries, 160 yards, 3 TDs
- Kern-8 carries, 81 yards, 1 TD
- Criddle-3 carries, 34 yards
- Sloan-3 carries, 14 yards
- Robinson-4 carries, 12 yards
- Haley-3 carries, 8 yards
- Petelin-2 carries, 6 yards
Receiving Leaders
- Staats-1 catch, 16 yards
- Dent 1 catch, 6 yards
Time of Possession
- Paola- 28:28
- Columbus- 19:32