Lansing 42, Tonganoxie 6

? Typically, running is a major variable in the formula for success for Tonganoxie.

On Friday night, the Chieftains averaged only 3.2 yards per rushing attempt.

“The first half, we didn’t block anything correctly,” Tonganoxie coach Mark Elston said. “Our assignments were way off and our backs weren’t hitting holes correctly.”

Lansing erupted for 21 points in the second quarter. Senior quarterback Bobby Hauver gave the Lions a four-touchdown lead with 3:57 remaining before halftime when he sprinted past the Chieftains secondary down the right-hand sideline. Hauver found the corner of the endzone before any THS player could catch up.

Hauver finished with 46 yards rushing and 148 yards passing. He accounted for two scores.

“They didn’t do anything very tricky,” Elston said. “They just lined up and whipped us at the line. That’s a little bit disheartening.”

The Lions produced 254 yards rushing, as compared to Tonganoxie’s 113.

“In that first half, we just weren’t very aggressive defensively,” Elston said. “It showed that we were like deer in the headlights. We had guys who hadn’t seen that kind of speed or that kind of size before and were a little taken back by it.”

Despite a 28-point halftime deficit, Tonganoxie didn’t give up. Players ferociously tried to pump each other up on the sidelines after positive plays.

Lansing 42, Tonganoxie 6

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L – Chris Hill 5 run (Matt Robbins kick)

L – Kevin Johnson 30 pass from Bobby Hauver (Robbins kick)

L – Hill 4 run (kick failed)

L – Hauver 44 run (2-pt conversion)

L – Brad Terron 31 run (Robbins kick)

T – D.J. Gray 24 pass from Jeremy Carlisle (2-pt conversion failed)

L – Brenton Smith 3 run (Robbins kick)