Perry — Perry-Lecompton's experience showed its importance Friday night in a 34-0 win over Basehor-Linwood.
Seniors scored all five of the Kaws' touchdowns and P-L's senior defensive front proved too much for the Bobcats. Perry-Lecompton starts 10 seniors on offense and all of its defensive starters are seniors. Basehor-Linwood has only 10 seniors.
"The seniors have shown great team leadership," Kaws coach Charlie Golder said. "I'm really thrilled with them. They did everything I asked of them. It was a great overall team effort."
Senior Joe Corcoran led the way for the PLHS offense, carrying the ball 11 times for 153 of the team's 285 yards on the ground and two touchdowns.
"He's a great football player," Golder said. "He's a coach's dream. He comes out with a job to do and gets the job done."
The Kaws' passing game was strong as well, with senior Gary Freeman finishing the night 5-of-11 passing for 136 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. Senior wide receiver Dusty Ingenthron had four receptions for 121 yards and a score.
"I thought the offensive line blocked a lot better in the passing game than last game," Golder said. "That was one area we were trying to improve on and I think we did a good job of taking care of that."
Freeman connected on a 15 yard pass to a leaping Adam Hayes, senior, for P-L's first touchdown, and Corcoran's point-after gave the Kaws a 7-0 lead. Freeman didn't wait long for his next touchdown throw, completing a 73-yard pass to Ingenthron three plays into the Kaws' next drive.
Corcoran scored his first touchdown on P-L's next drive. He took the handoff from Freeman and ran straight through the middle of the line for an 11-yard score to give the Kaws a 21-0 halftime lead.
Corcoran's score was set up by a 44-yard reverse by Simon Gentry. It was the senior's only run of the night, as he went down with an injury on the play.
"We think he broke his collarbone," Golder said. "We're not doctors but that's what we're thinking."
A large part of the Bobcats' inability to score in the first half was the Kaws' defensive line. The five-man front spent most of the half in B-L's backfield, holding the Bobcats to minus-11 yards rushing and sacking quarterback Ben Denk three times before halftime.
"Coach Steve McGinness is doing a great job with the defense," Golder said. "It's a matter of having 11 seniors who have a lot of games of experience. They come to play."
Perry-Lecompton's defense came out to play at the beginning of the second half as well, causing a fumble on the Bobcats' first play. The Kaws' offense wasn't as ready though, as Freeman threw an interception one play after the team was called for a holding penalty.
The Kaws only had one more play in the third quarter, as the Bobcats controlled the ball on the ground, but the Kaws made the most of their one chance.
After B-L turned the ball over on downs, Corcoran broke a first-down run off-tackle and sped down the right sideline for a 79-yard touchdown. Shawn Howard's point after increased the Kaws' lead to 28-0.
The Kaws ran their lead to 34-0 with a 2-yard touchdown run by Mike Cloud four minutes into the the fourth quarter.
Basehor-Linwood punted on its next possession and turned the ball over on its next two, with the Kaws running out the clock for their second win of the season.
Basehor-Linwood 0, Perry-Lecompton 34
B-L 0 0 0 0 -- 0
P-L 7 14 7 6 -- 34
P-L -- Adam Hayes 15 pass from Gary Freeman (Joe Corcoran kick)
P-L -- Dusty Ingenthron 73 pass from Freeman (Corcoran kick)
P-L -- Corcoran 11 run (Corcoran kick)
P-L -- Corcoran 79 run (Shawn Howard kick)
P-L -- Mike Cloud 2 run (kick failed)
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