Eudora ? For three quarters, Eudora HighâÂÂs football team matched undefeated and top-ranked Fort ScottâÂÂs physical play and dominating defense.

But then the Tigers, taking advantage of Cardinal penalties and mental mistakes, pounced on their chance to deny Eudora its first shot at the Class 4A championship game.

Twice.

Twice in the final 10:30 of FridayâÂÂs semifinal at Laws Field, Fort Scott held Eudora on fourth-and-short, once stuffing junior Mark Lister at the Tiger 15-yard-line, and once stopping senior Andrew Pyle at the Tiger 43. Fort Scott then ran out the clock on the Cardinalsâ marvelous season, taking a 21-14 victory.

âÂÂIt was just a tough high school football game,â Tigers coach Bob Campbell said. âÂÂThey were two really good teams. EudoraâÂÂs as fine a team weâÂÂve seen all year, especially defensively.âÂÂ

The Cardinals, who had their best season in school history, finishing 11-2, were dynamic on defense. Tiger running backs had fewer than 40 yards in the first half, and it was only on two big passing plays that Fort Scott was able to disrupt EudoraâÂÂs defense.

The Cardinals knew the Fort Scott defense would be stingy – the Tigers entered the game allowing just 159 total yards per contest – but the hard-hitting affair was something to behold.

âÂÂIt was so physical,â Cardinals coach Gregg Webb said. âÂÂBut I thought our kids came out tonight and proved we were tough.âÂÂ

Unfortunately, Eudora wasnâÂÂt as smart.

Six times the Cardinals were flagged for offsides; four of those panalties extended two Tiger drives. Both drives resulted in Fort Scott touchdowns.

âÂÂWe were all fired up to make a play,â Cardinal defensive end Dustin Moyer said. âÂÂWe just werenâÂÂt disciplined enough.âÂÂ

Eudora was lucky, though.

The Tiger defense shut down the Cardinalsâ potent rushing game, holding Eudora to just 92 yards rushing on 32 attempts – more than 200 yards below its average. But big plays accounted for both Eudora scores.

Joey DonahueâÂÂs 49-yard shoestring catch and run from quarterback Tyler Cleveland just before halftime made it 7-all. Cleveland had Donahue in one-on-one coverage, then the receiver made a cut and was gone.

Then, after blown coverage in the third quarter, EudoraâÂÂs Tyler Jackson stood up running back Joseph Lattimer, and cornerback Troy VanHorn dispensed a hit that jarred the ball loose. Josh Brouhard scooped up a fumble and scooted 54 yards for a touchdown.

Lattimer shrugged off the fumble to churn for 106 yards on 13 carries in the second half, finishing with 124. As the game wound down, Eudora couldnâÂÂt seem to make another big play.

âÂÂThey wore us down a little bit in the fourth,â Webb said. âÂÂWe never got into a rhythm, because of the offensive struggles.âÂÂ

Fort Scott (13-0) will play the winner of todayâÂÂs Wellington-Scott City matchup.

Of course, thatâÂÂs the position that the Cardinals wanted to be in. But Webb, who won five state titles at Claflin, said his squad was on the right track for a title game, it just wasnâÂÂt in the cards this season.

But itâÂÂll come.

âÂÂItâÂÂs hard for them to understand, but thereâÂÂs a progression of events that must take place for you to get to the top,â Webb said. âÂÂVery rarely do you jump to the top without being there and testing it first.âÂÂ

Fort Scott 21, Eudora 14

Second quarter

FS – Ross Holt 20 run. Nathan Carter kick.

E – Joey Donahue 49 pass from Tyler Cleveland. Kaleb Niedens kick.

Third quarter

FS – Ryan VandeWynkel 25 pass from Holt. Carter kick.

E – Josh Brouhard 54 fumble recovery. Niedens kick.

Fourth quarter

FS – Joseph Lattimer 18 run. Carter kick.