Mac Moore/Lawrence Sports
Eudora senior defensive back Preston White wags his finger after deflecting a pass to secure a fourth-down stop during the team’s 22-19 win over Hayden on Sept. 4 at Eudora High School.
Eudora stormed back from 2-score deficit at halftime to earn a 22-19 win over Topeka Hayden. The Cardinals had previously lost to Hayden in the season opener each of the last two seasons, with both games decided by at least 22 points.
After an early 7-0 lead thanks to a 2-yard rushing touchdown by Eudora senior running back Grayson Moody, the Cardinals allowed Hayden to score 19 unanswered points, including a 74-yard fumble return touchdown that turned a strong Eudora drive into a gut punch heading into halftime.
But Eudora responded with a scoring drive to open the third quarter, capped off by a 3-yard rushing touchdown from junior running back Keelyn Duncan. The Cardinals would not be able to retake the lead until midway through the 4th quarter. Moody punched in another score from two yards out, followed by Duncan running in a 2-point conversion to give Eudora a 22-19 lead. Duncan also helped set up the touchdown by hurdling a Hayden defender on the previous play, taking off on the 7-yard line and clearing five more yards through the air.
Hayden quickly responded with a trip into scoring territory. But after a false start put them in a fourth-and-10 situation, Eudora senior defensive backs Preston White and Lyrik Langley were able to knock the ball away from the hands of a Hayden receiver at the goal line. White also made a huge play at receiver earlier in the game, hauling in a deep pass from senior quarterback Houstyn Carnagie on a third-and-long play, setting up the team’s third quarter touchdown score.
Eudora tried to catch Hayden by surprise when the Cardinals opted to throw the ball deep on second down. But Hayden’s defense was prepared, picking off the pass to give the Wildcats another chance with only a few minutes remaining. Hayden even had another scoring opportunity with another shot to the end zone, only for the ball to go past the outstretched hands of a wide-open receiver.
But with one last chance on fourth-and-1, Eudora prevented another first-down completion to take over on downs. The Cardinals kneeled the ball to run out the clock and seal the victory.
Eudora will head to Bonner Springs on Friday. The Cardinals enter this match-up with a five-game win streak over Bonner, including a 49-0 win in Week 2 of last season.
Mac Moore/Lawrence Sports
Eudora senior running back Grayson Moody rams into a scrum of players on the goal line to push his way in for a rushing touchdown during the team’s 22-19 win over Hayden on Sept. 4 at Eudora High School.
Mac Moore/Lawrence Sports
Eudora junior running back Keelyn Duncan hurdles a Hayden defender to set up the go-ahead touchdown for the Cardinals during the team’s 22-19 win over Hayden on Sept. 4 at Eudora High School.
Mac Moore/Lawrence Sports
Eudora senior wide receiver Preston White catches the ball for a large gain during the team’s 22-19 win over Hayden on Sept. 4 at Eudora High School.
Mac Moore/Lawrence Sports
Eudora senior defensive backs Lyrik Langley and Preston White deflect a fourth-down pass on the goal line during the team’s 22-19 win over Hayden on Sept. 4 at Eudora High School.
Mac Moore/Lawrence Sports
Eudora senior linebacker Newt Schreiner lets out a roar toward the student section after the Cardinals get a big stop in the fourth quarter of the team’s 22-19 win over Hayden on Sept. 4 at Eudora High School.
