Paola moves on to Sub-State after a 35-21 victory of the Timberwolves of Blue Valley Southwest.
The Timberwolves received the opening kick-off. Paola stopped Blue Valley for six yards on three plays. The drive lasted 1:22 and energized the Paola crowd and took the wind out of Southwest crowd.
After a short punt by the Timberwolves Paola started its drive from its own 45-yard line. Senior running back Tyler Henness started the drive with 13 yard run an finished the drive five plays later with a 23 yard touchdown run.
Paola dominated the first half giving up only one drive in which Blue Valley Southwest had more than three plays.
The score at half was 14-7 with Paola on top. Blue Valley scored its only seven points on a fumble recovery which bounced right into the defender’s hands for an untouched 23 yard return to the end zone.
The Panthers came out in the second half and defensively looked tired, giving up a touchdown after four plays. Blue Valley scored on fourth-and-two with a 57 yard touchdown run effectively eliminating Paola’s 12th man advantage.
The Panthers and Timberwolves went back and forth in the third quarter which ended with the Panthers on top 28-14 with the Timberwolves driving down the field. Blue Valley finished its third quarter drive with a touchdown in the fourth.
Following the touchdown Blue Valley went for the onside kick and recovered changing the momentum of the game. Paola stopped the Timberwolves in six plays and forced a turnover on downs after an incomplete pass on fourth down.
Paola took the following drive 70 yards on nine plays eating up five minutes off the clock leaving Blue Valley three minutes to comeback from 14 down.
Paola ended all hopes for Blue Valley after senior Adim Rogers came up with a huge sack on third down forcing Blue Valley to a fourth-and-fourteen.
Paola will play, for the Sub-State Championship and a chance to play for a State title, against Eudora Friday.
Eudora beat Chanute 20-13 in its sectional game.
Eudora beat Paola 18-10 earlier in the season.
Scoring Plays for Paola
- Henness 23 yard touchdown run capping off a 6 play, 55 yard drive
- Staats 37 yard touchdown run capping off an 8 play, 66 yard drive
- Henness 2 yard touchdown run capping off a 12 play, 65 yard drive
- Henness 9 yard touchdown run capping off a 5 play, 72 yard drive
- Henness 5 yard touchdown run capping off a 9 play, 70 yard drive
Rushing Leaders
- Henness-27 carries, 219 yards, 4 TDs
- Staats-16 carries, 99 yards, 1 TD
- Kern-6 carries, 34 yards
- Dent-1 carry, 3 yards