Paola ? It was a game that had it all ” big plays, defensive stands, super special teams and a thrilling ending.

Eudora, though, used lots of heart and even more guts, earning a 15-14 overtime victory Friday against Paola to advance to the Class 4A semifinals next Friday.

“It probably wasn’t our best game we’ve played,” senior running back Andrew Pyle said. “But it was our most emotional.”

Paola drew first blood in overtime on a six-yard run by Brad Page and kicked the extra point. Eudora got the ball and answered with an 11-yard touchdown pass from Tyler Cleveland to Josh Brouhard.

It came down to coach Gregg Webb making the most critical decision of the season ” one point or two?

“We were going to kick it,” Webb said. “But our seniors got together and decided, ‘It’s now or never.'”

The result was a successful two-yard sweep to the left corner by Pyle and one of Eudora’s most dramatic victories to date.

“We came up in a close game, stuck with it and came through to be able to play next week,” Pyle said.

Eudora's Andrew Pyle (10) tries to elude Paola's Darin Domnanish. The Cardinals won, 15-14, in overtime Friday night in Paola.

The Cardinals were humbled by Paola’s defense all night. Besides Pyle scoring on a two-yard run on the game’s opening drive, reaching the end zone was an impossible task for the Cardinals ” even when they got close.

But Eudora’s defense was equally staunch, and punter Joey Donahue had a sensational game ” twice booting punts inside the Paola five-yard line ” and kicking another one 60 yards out of deep Eudora territory.

“We gave them some terrible field position a few times,” Webb said.

The Panthers (7-5) managed just one score in regulation, when quarterback Steve Kemplay found Noah Dumpert on the run for a 29-yard strike early in the second quarter. For a team known for its strong running game, Kemplay completed 5-of-10 passes for 55 yards.

Second-half drives by each team stalled, including a third-quarter drive by Paola that ended inside the Eudora five.

Paola started the overtime with a quick score on two runs by Page. Nelson Green sailed the kick through the uprights, putting the pressure on Eudora.

Paola QB Steve Kemplay is tackled by Eudora's Joe Born (50) and Chris Durkin during Friday's game at Paola.

After a Pyle run for a loss and an incomplete pass, Eudora faced a third and goal at the 11-yard line that put their season in jeopardy.

Still, the Cardinals’ offense was optimistic.

“I was pretty confident,” Cleveland said. “The first pass I threw should’ve been a TD. I overthrew him.”

Keeping his composure, Cleveland delivered a pinpoint pass to Brouhard. After briefly bobbling the ball, Brouhard held on and scampered into the left side of the end zone, setting up the final heroics that let Eudora continue its quest for the 4A title.

“Once he started his route,” Cleveland said, “I knew he’d be open.”

Eudora moves on to face Fort Scott at home in the state semifinals next Friday. Two wins are still necessary for the ultimate prize, but the Cardinals would be hard-pressed to play a more exciting game.

“Everyone says when you don’t get it, you get a hard time for it,” Pyle said of the final play. “But when you go for and get it, you’re a genius. We got it.”

Eudora 15, Paola 14

Eudora 7 0 0 0 8 ” 15

Paola 0 7 0 0 7 ” 14

E: Andrew Pyle 2 run (Kaleb Niedens kick)

P: Noah Dumpert 29 pass from Steve Kemplay (Nelson Green kick)

P: Brad Page 6 run (Green kick)

E: Josh Brouhard 11 pass from Tyler Cleveland (Pyle run)